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GSPP buildings in the Spring.

Doctoral Program (PhD) (NEW)

Create knowledge to tackle society's most complex problems.

Why Pursue a PhD in Public Policy?

GSPP offers a doctoral degree program for students who seek careers in policy research in academia and/or with governments, non-profits, or research institutes. Usually only two or three Ph.D. applicants are admitted each year.

The Ph.D. program emphasizes the generation of knowledge, theories, methodologies, and applications appropriate to the advancement of public policy analysis and policy-relevant research. Doctoral students pursue highly individualized programs of study and typically work closely with Goldman faculty members who share the student’s subject matter interest. The doctoral program provides enormous flexibility in the topics addressed and the program of study, but is designed mainly to train social science researchers with an interest in applied policy issues.

How to Apply

PhD Alumni Spotlight

Raheem Chaudhry on stage graduating from GSPP.

How Place Shapes Opportunity - Raheem Chaudhry '25

This fall, the Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management (APPAM) recognized Chaudhry's work by awarding him the 2025 Best Dissertation Award for “emergent scholars in the field.” His dissertation, Waiting for Tiebout: Essays on Policy, Place, and Opportunity, explores how public policy can expand opportunity by investing in communities, empowering them to make decisions about their resources, and supporting people where they are.

Read More

PhD Graduate Employment

53% Academic Jobs
12% Government Jobs
12% Private Sector Jobs
23% Non-Profit Jobs

Meet Our Current PhD Students

Anita Alur

Anita Alur

(she/her/hers)
Sam Ayers

Sam Ayers
Rachel Funk Fordham

Rachel Funk Fordham
Omair Gill

Omair Gill
Natalie Holmes

Natalie Holmes
Gaby Lohner

Gaby Lohner
Rachel Pizatella-Haswell

Rachel Pizatella-Haswell
Brenda Sciepura

Brenda Sciepura
Wondeok Seo

Wondeok Seo
Ember Smith

Ember Smith
Mandana Vakil

Mandana Vakil

Contact Us

Sather Gate on the UC Berkeley Campus

We'd Love to Hear From You

For questions about the PhD program you can visit our Frequently Asked Questions page or email the GSPP PhD Admissions Team at gspp-phdadm@berkeley.edu.