The Woodrow Wilson School offers a Doctor of Philosophy in Public Affairs in two research clusters: Security Studies; and Science, Technology and Environmental Policy (STEP).
Security Studies:
- Five-year program; residence required (absence for approved field research)
- 12 courses during the first two years, including:
- WWS 550, the gateway course in security studies
- Ph.D. seminar in research design
- Non-credit research ethics and integrity seminar
- An overall grade average of 85 (B) or higher
- Completion of an original research paper of publishable quality
- General examination: two written exams and an oral exam
- Six-hour teaching assignment (precepting) usually following the general examination
- Oral defense of a dissertation prospectus
- A dissertation of original scholarly research
- A final public oral examination
Science, Technology and Environmental Policy (STEP):
- Five-year program; residence required (absence for approved field research)
- Minimum of eight courses during the first two years, including one course each in economics, econometrics and political analysis
- Other science and applied policy courses determined in collaboration with a faculty advisor for each individual student
- Ph.D. seminar in research design
- Non-credit research ethics workshop or seminar
- An overall grade average of 85 (B) or higher
- Completion of an original research paper of publishable quality
- General examination: two written exams and possibly an oral exam
- Six-hour teaching assignment (precepting) usually following the general examination
- Oral defense of a dissertation prospectus
- A dissertation of original scholarly research
- A final public oral examination
