Revised: 01.23.2024 Effective: Catalog Term 2024-40
Doctor of Philosophy in Public Policy (Ph.D.)
2024-2025 Degree Completion Plan
CORE COURSES (18 hours)
Hr
s
Sem
Grade
PLCY 700
Foundations of Public Policy
3
PLCY 701
Natural Law, The State & The Gospel
3
PLCY 702
Founding Era & the Constitution
3
PLCY 703
Contemporary Challenges to Const. Order & the Role of the State
3
PLCY 802
Competing Visions of Statesmanship
3
PLCY 804
Federalism & Intergovernmental Relations
3
RESEARCH METHODS & TOOLS (15 hours)
PLCY 805
Policy Analysis and Research Design
3
PLCY 809
Data & Analysis for Policymakers
3
PLCY 810
Quantitative Methods I
1
3
PLCY 811
Quantitative Methods II
1
3
PLCY 812
Qualitative Methods
3
ELECTIVE COURSES (9 hours)
2
3
2
3
2
3
DISSERTATION COURSES (18 hours)
3
PLCY 885
Research Concept
3
PLCY 987
Dissertation I
5
PLCY 988
Dissertation II
5
PLCY 989
Dissertation III
4
5
PLCY 990
Dissertation IV
0
TOTAL HOURS
60
Graduation Requirements
Complete 60 hours
A maximum of 50% of a post-graduate and doctoral degree may be transferred if
Notes
approved and allowable, including credit from an earned degree from Liberty
All applicable prerequisites must be met
University on the same academic level
1
PLCY 815 Advanced Quantitative Methods I and PLCY 816 Advanced Quantitative Methods II
3.0 GPA
may be substituted for PLCY 810 and 811 by permission of Department Chair
No grades lower than a B- may be applied to the degree
2
Choose three courses from the following: PLCY 840, 850, 860, 870 or 880; other courses will be
Successful completion of Research Concept
considered on a case-by-case basis
Successful defense of Dissertation
3
Once the student enters the Dissertation phase, he/she must maintain continuous enrollment
Degree must be completed within 7 years
(Fall, Spring and Summer semesters) until all degree requirements are completed
Submission of Degree Completion Application must be completed within the last
4
Any student who is not ready for enrollment in PLCY 990 after completing PLCY 989 may be
semester of a student’s anticipated graduation date
required, as determined by the student’s dissertation chair, to repeat PLCY 989 until deemed
ready for enrollment in PLCY 990
Offered in Online Format
Suggested Course Sequence on second page
Revised: 01.23.2024 Effective: Catalog Term 2024-40
SUGGESTED COURSE SEQUENCE
First Semester
Second Semester
PLCY 700
3
PLCY 703
3
PLCY 701
3
PLCY 802
3
PLCY 702
3
Public Policy Elective
1
3
Total
9
Total
9
Third Semester
Fourth Semester
PLCY 804
3
PLCY 812
3
PLCY 809
3
PLCY 811
2
3
PLCY 810
2
3
PLCY 805
3
Total
9
Total
9
Fifth Semester
Sixth Semester
Public Policy Elective
1
3
PLCY 987
3
5
Public Policy Elective
1
3
Total
5
PLCY 885
3
Total
9
Seventh Semester
Eighth Semester
PLCY 988
5
PLCY 989
4
5
Total
5
Total
5
Ninth Semester
PLCY 990
0
Total
0
Notes
1
Choose from the following: PLCY 840, 850, 860, 870 or 880; other courses will be considered
on a case-by-case basis
2
PLCY 815 Advanced Quantitative Methods I and PLCY 816 Advanced Quantitative Methods II
may be substituted for PLCY 810 and 811 by permission of Department Chair
3
Once the student enters the Dissertation phase, he/she must maintain continuous enrollment
(Fall, Spring and Summer semesters) until all degree requirements are completed
4
Any student who is not ready for enrollment in PLCY 990 after completing PLCY 989 may be
required, as determined by the student’s dissertation chair, to repeat PLCY 989 until deemed
ready for enrollment in PLCY 990
