About PhD Program,
The joint doctoral program in public policy combines the strengths of Georgia State University’s Andrew Young School of Policy Studies and the Georgia Institute of Technology’s School of Public Policy. The Andrew Young School ranked 18th overall among graduate programs in public affairs in a recent US News ranking, as well as 8th in public finance and budgeting, 3rd in urban policy, 22nd in public management and leadership, and 29th in public policy analysis. Our faculty was the 5th most prolific in public administration journals over the past decade. US News also ranked Georgia Tech’s School of Public Policy 8th in information and technology management and 11th in environmental policy and management.
PhD Program Degree Eligibility with GPA,
There is no minimum GPA requirement for consideration to our master’s programs. The average GPA of a competitive applicant is 3.2. We review your overall GPA and your GPA for the last two years to give us a balanced view of your scholastic career.
The programs in the Andrew Young School do not have a minimum GRE or GPA, nor do the admission committees use a formula to determine admission eligibility. All aspects of the applicant’s file are taken into consideration for admission decisions. However, GRE scores and GPAs that are well below a competitive range will greatly reduce your chances of admission.
PhD Funding Coverage,
The program is intended primarily for full-time students, and courses are offered primarily during daytime hours. The Andrew Young School has been able to fund virtually all full-time students for at least three years. Assistantships typically provide full tuition waivers and stipends of $18,000 per year. Three new doctoral students each year receive Andrew Young or AYSPS Dean’s Scholar Fellowships, which provide an additional $6,000 annually. Graduate research assistants work with individual faculty members or with one of the Andrew Young School’s policy research centers, including the Fiscal Research Center, the International Studies Program, the Georgia Health Policy Center, and theNonprofit Studies Program. Over the course of their studies, most students work on both academic and more practical policy-related research projects. Third- and fourth-year students typically have opportunities to teach undergraduate classes.
Application Requirement,
- Submitted Online Application. All online applications must be submitted by the deadline. Paper applications are not available.
- Application fee: A nonrefundable fee of $50 is required for each application. This fee must be paid online by credit card.
- Personal/Goal Statement:Two to three page, typed statement of interest covering personal and professional goals as they relate to the Ph.D. in Public Policy, including desired area of specialization, research interests, and faculty with whom applicant would like to work. Statement should discuss your reasons for applying to the doctoral program, expectations for completion of the coursework and dissertation, and prospective employment. Include special circumstances, if any, or other information not covered in the application that you think would be helpful in evaluating your application.
- Biographical Statement:Two page Biographical Statement that includes biographical information and defines how you have prepared yourself for doctoral study. It may include schools attended, areas of study and formative experiences (particularly those that are relevant to pursuing a Ph.D.). This statement is intended to help the committee better know the applicant and to see why pursuing a doctoral program is the next logical step.
- Official GRE (Graduate Record Examination) scores:Official scores must be reported to institution code 5251 and received by GA State by the application deadline. More information can be found at our Admissions FAQ page or, to schedule the test, at gre.org.
- TOEFL or IELTS Academic scores (International applicants only): Most international applicants are required to submit official TOEFL or IELTS Academic scores. Any applicant whose country of birth is an English-speaking country found on the exemption list is not subject to the English Proficiency requirement. Exemption list.
- Three letters of recommendation: All letters should be submitted through the online application.
- Upload Transcripts from each post-secondary college/university attended. For students who have already earned a degree; if the title of the degree and graduation date (month and year) are not indicated on the transcript, separate proof of degree (e.g., an official copy of the diploma or degree certificate) must also be submitted along with the transcript:
- Upload each transcript to the Academic Historysection of the online application before submitting your application -or- upload to your application status page under the Upload Materials section if your application has been submitted.
- Review all requirements for submitting transcripts here.
- Failure to follow these requirementswill delay your application processing.
- Writing Sample: Not required. Do not submit.
Application Deadline,
Jan 15, 2025
Application Fee,
A nonrefundable fee of $50 is required for each application. This fee must be paid online by credit card.
