MPP & PhD in Government
Gain the skills and experience necessary to become apply broad exposure to political theory and institutions through a doctoral degree in Government with the analytical training of a Masters in Public Policy.
Administered through Georgetown University’s Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, the McCourt School of Public Policy and the Department of Government, the Master in Public Policy and PhD in Government dual degree is a three-year, 69-credit program in which you pursue both degrees simultaneously.
Deadlines
Fall 2026 term
- December 1: Early Action Deadline
- January 15: Priority Deadline
- March 1: Final Deadline
Credit hours
- 69 total MPP credit hours
Credit transfer
- Up to 27 MPP credits count toward PhD credit hours
Who is the MPP/PhD in Government program for?
This degree is designed to attract motivated students interested in both politics and policy who desire to pursue positions for applied research, teaching or evaluation and consulting in universities, nonprofit, private or government organizations. The MPP/PhD in Government dual degree prepares students to apply their interest and training in public policy with broader exposure to political theory and institutions offered through the doctoral program. In addition to MPP coursework, students must satisfy additional course requirements established by the Government Department, pass comprehensive examinations and complete a doctoral dissertation.
How to Apply
Applicants interested in applying to this dual degree program must meet the admissions criteria of both programs and complete separate applications simultaneously for each department. You should indicate your intentions for a dual degree on all admissions materials. Admissions decisions are always made independently by the McCourt School and the Department of Government; enrollment in one program does not guarantee acceptance to the other program.
Degree requirements
You will need to complete the following courses to satisfy the 39-credit hours of public policy coursework as part of the MPP/MSFS dual degree program.
Economics (6 credits)
- PPOL 5004: Intermediate Microeconomics I (3 credits)
- PPOL 5005: Intermediate Microeconomics II (3 credits)
Quantitative Methods (9 credits)
- PPOL 5000: Statistical Methods for Policy Analysis (3 credits)
- PPOL 5001: Regression Methods for Policy Analysis (3 credits)
- PPOL 5002: Advanced Regression and Program Evaluation Methods (3 credits)
Political Institutions and Process (9 credits)
For each of the first two required courses, students may choose either a U.S. domestic focus or a comparative international focus.
- PPOL 5006: The Politics of Policy-Making; or PPOL 5007: Comparative Politics of Policy-Making (3 credits)
- PPOL 5008: Public Management; or PPOL 5009: Management & Implementation in Developing Countries (3 credits)
- PPOL 5010: Ethics, Values and Public Policy (3 credits)
Capstone Project (6 credits)
- PPOL 5011/5013, Policy Analysis Capstone I/Thesis Workshop I
- PPOL 5012/5014, Policy Analysis Capstone II/Thesis Workshop II
Electives (18 credits)
You will have an array of elective course options taught by expert McCourt faculty to choose from, with the opportunity to align your electives with your interests and career goals.
Georgetown University’s Department of Government provides details about which courses you will need to satisfy the PhD degree requirements as part of the MPP/PhD in Government dual degree program.
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