Sanford School of Public Policy
DUKE UNIVERSITY
Durham, North Carolina
Institute Overview
The Sanford School of Public Policy was created in
1971. The late Sanford - North Carolina governor,
United States senator, Duke University president and
founder of our public policy program - was a
visionary determined not just to prepare students for
a changing world, but to challenge them to achieve
more than they ever thought possible. He expected
students and faculty alike to set ambitious goals and
to achieve them, much as Duke's founders did. He
termed them "outrageous ambitions."
Today, the Sanford School of Public Policy is
actively engaged in helping students realize their own
"outrageous ambitions" as public policy leaders.
The Institute is a national and international leader in
Public Policy Studies. Our undergraduate program is
among the strongest at Duke, and one of the largest
public policy majors in the United States. Our
graduate programs attract top students and mid-career
professionals from across the country and around the
world.
Thanks to Sanford's vision, we were "multidisciplinary" long before the term became
fashionable. Our faculty represents a wide range of
disciplines, from economics and political science to
public policy, psychology, human development and
history. Our professors of the practice come from
industry, government and other sectors to share their
real-world experience and expertise. And we take full
advantage of the top-notch faculty in other schools
and departments through our joint-degree programs
with Duke's schools of Law, and Medicine, Fuqua
School of Business, Nicholas School of the
Environment and Earth Sciences, and other programs
across campus.
We offer outstanding facilities, access to the worldfamous Research Triangle, and a moderate climate.
And of course, for sports fans, there's always Duke
Basketball.
Sanford was right; the future is NOT static. That's
why the Institute has expanded its international
programs to reflect the globalization of public policy,
and is participating in exciting new initiatives such as
Duke's Institute for Genome Sciences and Policy.
Public Policy Studies is an incredibly dynamic field,
full of extraordinary learning experiences and
unparalleled career opportunities. We invite you to
join us in realizing your own "outrageous ambitions"
at the Sanford School of Public Policy.
Graduate Program Overview
Our professional two-year Master of Public Policy
degree (MPP) prepares students for diverse
leadership roles in the public, private and nonprofit
sectors. MPP candidates also may earn joint
professional degrees in public policy and law,
business, medicine or environmental policy through
cooperative relationships with professional schools at
Duke and local universities.
The MPP core curriculum combines economics and
quantitative analysis with political analysis and
ethics. Students learn how to use policy analysis
techniques to address complex problems, to
appreciate the role of politics and ethics in
reconciling conflicting values, and to think
strategically and comprehensively. As an option,
MPP students may also choose a Global, Health, or
Social Policy concentration.
They also may
specialize in areas such as healthcare, ethics, and
environmental policy through elective courses at the
Institute, other departments at Duke and at local
universities. Between their first and second years of
study, MPP students participate in real-world
internships to apply their analytical skills and
knowledge, and to focus their career interests. A
year-long, final master's project provides students
with the opportunity to conduct in-depth analysis of
real-world policy issues.
The PhD in Public Policy is an applied,
interdisciplinary social science degree. Graduates of
the program are prepared for professional positions in
domestic and international public agencies, research
organizations and policy consulting firms, and for
academic positions in public policy, public
administration and policy-oriented schools.
The Public Policy PhD program requires a twocourse sequence in theories of public policy and
coursework in three other social science disciplines.
Students designate a disciplinary concentration such
as economics, political science, or sociology in which
they take a minimum of five courses, as well as a
policy focus, such as social policy, globalization and
development, or health policy. Students interested in
environmental policy should apply to the PhD
program in Environment, but may enroll in public
policy courses.
Degrees Offered:
Master of Public Policy (MPP)
PhD in Public Policy
Concentrations:
MPP:
Global Public Policy
Health Policy
Social Policy
PhD:
Disciplinary Concentration in Economics
Disciplinary Concentration in Political Science
Disciplinary Concentration in Sociology
Admissions
How to Apply
Our applications are processed through The Duke
Graduate School. Applicants apply on-line via
http://www.sanford.duke.edu/graduate/mpp/admissio
ns/..
The reduced application fee ($65) deadline is
November 15th and the priority deadline is December
31st (5:00 p.m. EST); deadlines include receipt of all
application materials (which includes in part) GRE
and IELTS or TOEFL scores, a minimum of three (3)
letters of recommendation, resume, and official
transcripts from all universities and/or colleges
attended. Fellowships and assistantships are available
to both U.S. and international MPP applicants based
on merit. To view our brochure
http://www.sanford.duke.edu/graduate/mpp/documen
ts/MPPBook.pdf.
A completed MPP application includes:
•
•
•
We seek applicants from diverse academic and
professional backgrounds for both the MPP program
and the Public Policy PhD program. We prefer
students that have three or more years of postundergraduate work experience, however we will a
few outstanding students directly from undergraduate
programs.
•
We consider strongly the applicant's academic
performance as undergraduate, results of the
Graduate Record Examination (GRE), the applicant's
statement of purpose, relevant work experience, the
range of courses taken, and faculty and employer
evaluations. Personal interviews are not required;
however, our faculty and staff are happy to talk with
prospective students about the program.
•
We strongly encourage completion of a basic
statistics and microeconomics course from any
accredited academic institution prior to matriculation.
Students tend to perform better in the first year of
study if they have completed this coursework prior to
starting our curriculum.
•
•
•
Electronic Application.
An official undergraduate transcript with
degree posted, and other official transcripts
for all colleges and universities attended.
Official scores of the Graduate Record
Examination (GRE) taken within five years
of application.
Test of English as a Foreign Language
(TOEFL) or IELTS for International
Students taken within two years of
application.
Three letters of recommendation with the
Duke online evaluation form.
Resume (upload with the statement of
purpose).
Statement of Purpose - We recommend two
(2) to three (3) typewritten pages.
Application fee (paid via the Internet upon
submission of the application).
Note: Use ETS number 5156 for the institution code
to report GRE and TOEFL scores; a departmental
code is not required.
A completed PhD application includes everything
listed above for the MPP application and the
submission of a writing sample of no more than 20
pages (nonreturnable), demonstrating academic or
professional research, which should be sent directly
to the Public Policy Studies Department. For more
information visit
http://www.sanford.duke.edu/graduate/phd/.
Contact Information
Director of Admissions & Financial Aid
Master of Public Policy Program
Sanford School of Public Policy
Box 90243, 170 Rubenstein Hall
Duke University
Durham, NC 27708-0243
Phone: 919-613-9205
Email: MPPadmit@duke.edu
Web: http://www.sanford.duke.edu/graduate/mpp/
Director of Graduate Studies
Attention: PhD Program
Sanford School of Public Policy
Box 90243, 171A Rubenstein Hall
Duke University
Durham, NC 27708-0243
Phone: 919-613-9204
Email: PPPhD@duke.edu
Web: http://www.sanford.duke.edu/graduate/phd/