PhD in Public Policy - Online
Online USA
PhD
DURATION
9 semesters
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time, Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Aug 2026
TUITION FEES
USD 630 / per credit *
STUDY FORMAT
Distance Learning
* part-time tuition USD 695 per credit
Key Summary
About: Liberty University's online PhD in Public Policy trains experienced professionals to study governance, public administration, and policy analysis from academic and applied perspectives within a Christian worldview. Coursework covers statesmanship, constitutional order, federalism, institutional structure, quantitative and qualitative research methods. You complete an original dissertation applying research to real-world governance and public decision-making.
Career Outcomes: Graduates can work as university faculty (professor), policy analyst, government advisor, public affairs consultant, nonprofit leader, senior public policy analyst, intelligence analyst, counterterrorism analyst, federal agent, director of education policy, social scientist, academic specialist and similar roles in research, advocacy, and policy development practice.
Liberty University’s online Ph.D. in Public Policy (General) is designed for experienced professionals and scholars who want to explore public policy from an academic and applied perspective. This program is well-suited for students aiming to teach public policy, engage in research, or assume leadership roles in government or policy organizations. Coursework covers foundational topics such as statesmanship, constitutional order, federalism, and the structure of political institutions, as well as research methods—both quantitative and qualitative—and policy analysis. Students also complete a dissertation that allows them to apply original research to real-world challenges in governance and public decision-making. Graduates may pursue roles as university faculty, policy analysts, government advisors, nonprofit leaders, or public affairs consultants. By blending rigorous scholarship with policy insights, this Ph.D. program can help prepare students to contribute meaningfully to public discourse and institutional development.
First Semester
- PLCY 700: Foundations Of Public Policy
- PLCY 701: Natural Law, The State & The Gospel
- PLCY 702: Founding Era And The Constitution
Second Semester
- PLCY 703: Contemporary Challenges To Constitutional Order And The Role Of The State
- PLCY 802: Competing Visions Of Statesmanship
- PLCY 810: Quantitative Methods I
Third Semester
- PLCY 804: Federalism And Intergovernmental Relations
- PLCY 809: Data And Analysis For Policymakers
- PLCY 811: Quantitative Methods II
Fourth Semester
- PLCY 805: Policy Analysis And Research Design
- PLCY 812: Qualitative Methods
- PLCY 868: Advanced Research: Strategic Thought In Western And Chinese Perspectives
Fifth Semester
- PLCY 866: Advanced Research: Chinese Political Economy
- PLCY 869: Advanced Research: The Grand Strategy Of The People’s Republic Of China
- PLCY 885: Research Concept
Sixth Semester
- PLCY 987: Dissertation I
Seventh Semester
- PLCY 988: Dissertation II
Eighth Semester
- PLCY 989: Dissertation III
Ninth Semester
- PLCY 990: Dissertation IV - Dissertation Defense
Ranked in the Top 10% of Niche.com’s Best Online Schools in America.
In our online PhD in public policy, you will
- Compare the impact of nation-states in various historical eras to today’s era of globalization
- Consider probability theory and hypothesis testing within the context of public policy decision-making
- Consider the role of leaders tasked with protecting nations
- Evaluate various models of policy analysis and implementation in relation to effectiveness, cost-effectiveness, constitutional principles, and statecraft
- Examine how contemporary challenges such as modern reinterpretations of American constitutionalism have influenced policy formation
- Explore the interplay between American state governments and the federal government at macro and micro levels
- Practice discussing issues in a fluid fashion approximating a “think-tank” environment.
Liberty University Scholarships for Online College Students are Making College More Affordable
Liberty’s scholarship offers are designed to help online college students gain financial support through academic or other achievements and memberships. Each scholarship has unique requirements and deadlines. It is essential to keep these deadlines in mind as you apply for scholarships online to allow enough time for processing. Explore our various scholarships for online students below.
Review the Liberty scholarship packages below, and apply to all that you are eligible for. The earlier you act, the more scholarship opportunities you will have to choose from.
- Liberty University Online (LUO) Scholarships
- Missions Programs & Scholarships
- General Scholarship Rule (GSR)
Internal Scholarships for Liberty University’s Online College Students
Liberty University is dedicated to helping you find the best ways to pay for your online education. One way we do this is by offering scholarships specifically designed for our online students. The LU Scholarship team strives to help you pay for your online degree by guiding you through our options.
As a nonprofit institution, Liberty University will never charge you high college tuition fees to make a profit. We are dedicated to giving you valuable tools to help reach your future goals. That’s why Liberty University offers undergraduate and graduate scholarship opportunities.
While many other online colleges have raised tuition, Liberty has been able to keep costs low as a nonprofit university. The majority of tuition at Liberty University for undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs has not increased in 9 years. Our low cost of tuition, available grants and loans, and scholarships can help you reach your education goals with fewer costs. As an online college student, you will have many options to complete your degree with no upfront, out-of-pocket expenses.
We look forward to helping you pursue online education through our online scholarship offers!
Liberty University Online (LUO) Scholarships
- Canadian Student Discount
- Children of Fallen Heroes
- First Responders Discount
- Heroes Fund Scholarship
- International Mission Board (IMB)
- Liberty Advantage
- Southern Baptist Conservatives of Virginia (SBCV)
- Southern Baptist Seminary Scholarships
- West Virginia Convention of Southern Baptists (WVCSB)
- Word of Life Employees
- Academic specialist
- Counterterrorism analyst
- Director of Education Policy
- Federal agent
- Government leader
- Intelligence analyst
- Policy researcher
- Professor (higher education)
- Public interest/advocacy group leader
- Senior public policy analyst
- Social scientist