Master of Arts in the Field of Public Policy, Philosophy and Social Policy Concentration

The formulation and evaluation of public policy have become a major concern for both public officials and citizens in US society. Even technical policy issues raise questions about social values and assume knowledge of concepts that call for philosophical exploration. As part of the Columbian College of Arts and Sciences, the master’s program in philosophy and social policy addresses questions of public policy from a humanistic perspective. The program offers an interdisciplinary course of study in the field of public policy, with a concentration in philosophy and social policy.

The core policy curriculum includes courses in political science, economics, quantitative methods, and a variety of approaches to policy analysis. These courses ensure that all candidates for the degree acquire methodological skills indispensable for the analysis of policy issues. In the core philosophy curriculum, students examine the broad normative and institutional backgrounds within which specific policy decisions are framed.

The program prepares students to bring the normative, historical, and logical tools of philosophical inquiry to bear upon policy issues. Through case studies, students analyze the underlying concepts and value implications of specific policies in areas including welfare programs, access to healthcare, protection of the environment, health and safety, equality of opportunity, and protection of human rights. Concentrations within this program include bioethics and health policy, urban and welfare policy, and environmental philosophy and policy. Students can choose to pursue specific concentrations reflecting their interests.

Visit the program website for additional information.

Visit the Columbian College of Arts and Sciences website for application requirements.

Supporting documents not submitted online should be mailed to:

Columbian College of Arts and Sciences, Office of Graduate Studies
The George Washington University
801 22nd Street NW, Phillips Hall 107
Washington DC 20052

For additional information about the admissions process visit the Columbian College of Arts and Sciences Frequently Asked Questions page.

Contact for questions:

askccas@gwu.edu
202-994-6210 (phone)
Hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday

The following requirements must be fulfilled:

The general requirements stated under Columbian College of Arts and Sciences, Graduate Programs.

Thesis and non-thesis options are available at the discretion of the faculty. Thesis option—36 credits, including 24 credits in required coursework, 6 credits in elective courses, and 6 credits in thesis; non-thesis option—36 credits, including 24 credits in required coursework and 12 credits in elective courses.

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Required
Four graduate Philosophy (PHIL) seminars.
One course from each of the following areas of study, to be selected in consultation with the academic advisor:
Applied policy—example courses:
PPPA 6066	U.S. Environmental Policy
PPPA 6069	Science and U.S. Public Policy
PSC 8212	Urban Policy Problems
Economics—example courses:
ECON 6217	Survey of Economics I
ECON 6237	Economics of the Environment and Natural Resources
PPPA 6003	Economics for Public Decision Making
PPPA 6007	Microeconomics for Public Policy I
Policy analysis—example courses:
HIST 6011	Reading and Research in History and Public Policy
PPPA 6006	Policy Analysis
PPPA 6011	Politics and Policy Analysis
PSC 6103	Approaches to Public Policy Analysis
SOC 6248	Race and Urban Redevelopment
WGSS 6240	Gender and Public Policy
WGSS 6265	Gender, Welfare, and Poverty
Research methods—example course:
PPPA 6002	Research Methods and Applied Statistics
Required for the thesis option
PHIL 6999	Thesis Research (taken twice for a total of 6 credits)
Electives
6 credits in elective courses for thesis, 12 credits for non-thesis.
Electives can focus on a particular policy area (e.g., biomedical/healthcare, urban/welfare, or environmental policy) or they can explore varied approaches and policy issues.