About PhD Program,
In our joint doctoral programs, candidates combine their public policy studies with disciplinary work at one of the U-M’s top-ranked social science departments: economics, political science, or sociology.
Our doctoral students become full members of their disciplinary departments, taking a rigorous sequence of theory and methods courses. In addition, they become active participants in the Ford School’s collaborative, interdisciplinary, outstanding public policy community, working with world-renowned faculty who are also enthusiastic teachers and mentors.
The program is designed to appeal to students who want to pursue research careers in a traditional social science discipline and who see themselves as deeply committed to the study of public policy.
Our goal: for joint PhD students to bring the most rigorous tools of social science to bear on critical public policy questions.
See where the Ford School’s PhD has taken our graduates.
PhD Program Degree Eligibility with GPA,
Rackham requires all doctoral students to maintain a 3.0 GPA overall to be in good standing. In addition to this, joint doctoral students must obtain a B- or better in each required public policy course. Students should consult their disciplinary department for any similar requirements in the department required courses.
1 course in policy institutions (3 credits) – typically students take a 600 level Political Science course, but students may petition the PhD Program Director to allow another course to count toward this requirement.
PhD Funding Coverage,
Graduate school is an expensive undertaking, requiring a significant investment of time and financial resources. The University of Michigan, through a combination of college, departmental, and graduate school resources, is happy to share in that investment, significantly reducing the financial burden on our doctoral students.
At present, new doctoral students enter our program with a funding package sufficient to cover tuition, insurance, and living expenses for the first five years of study. This section describes additional resources, beyond the Ford School’s funding package, that are available to every student.
Years one through five: Students have funding commitments from the Ford School for their first five years of study. Support combines fellowships (ordinarily during the first and fifth year) and teaching or research assistant positions as laid out in the student’s offer of admission. Students often pursue other sources of funding to reduce teaching loads or gain stipend support over and above the Ford School fellowship.
Year six and beyond: It is not uncommon for students to take more than five years to complete their degree. However, funding beyond the fifth year is not guaranteed. As long as a student remains in good standing within the program, the college can offer a tuition fellowships for tuition expenses in the fall and winter semesters. The tuition fellowship cannot be used in the semester when a student files the dissertation, and students remain responsible for registration fees, insurance, and living expenses. Many students obtain external sources of support, as listed below.
Application Requirement,
Required Academic Credentials from Non-U.S. Institutions
Statements and Curriculum Vitae or Resume
Guidance and Policies Related to Use of GenAI for Rackham Applicants
Gender Inclusivity and the Rackham Admissions
Application Deadline,
Dec 01, 2024
Application Fee,
- United States citizens and those with permanent resident visa status, $75
- Non-U.S. citizens, $90
- Current Rackham student (regardless of citizenship) $10
