Recent PhD Graduate 
PhD in Public Policy
and Administration
The Department of Political Science and Public Administration offers the Ph.D. in Public Policy and Administration with a diverse faculty maintaining a broad research agenda. In addition, several faculty members possess governmental service experience. The degree program has a favorable faculty-to-student ratio which permits close contact with faculty. Students are encouraged and given the opportunities to engage in a variety of research projects in many areas of public administration and public policy. Ph.D. students are especially encouraged and allowed to do research work with faculty members and have opportunities to teach. Teamwork and collegiality are highly cultivated values in this environment.
The Doctor of Philosophy In Public Policy and Administration (Ph.D.) concentrates on the application of theory to administrative practices in the public sector and nonprofit organizations and on the environment in which these organizations function.
Program graduates will possess the skills to delve into complex policy issues and create organizational conditions that enable public and nonprofit
organizations to achieve their public policy objectives. Program graduates will be prepared to teach and conduct research in public policy, public administration, and American politics. Mississippi State's program strives to increase the racial and gender diversity of governmental, nonprofit and academic organizations. Students complete 45 hours of course work beyond the master's degree, and a dissertation. The course work includes a 12 hour elective concentration. Extensive information about the program is available in our department's PhD Manual.
Recent PhD graduates have achieved:
- Academic placements at California State University at Fresno, The Institute of Public Administration in Saudi Arabia, Jackson State University, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Shippensburg State University, and The University of Southern Mississippi.
- Practitioner placements as City Administrative Officer of Jackson, Mississippi and Director of Planning for the Health Care Institute in Saudi Arabia.
Application Procedures
You may obtain application forms over the web .
The following items should be sent directly to the Mississippi State University Office of Graduate School at the address below:
Office of Graduate Studies
Box G
Mississippi State University
Mississippi State, MS 39762
- Application and Statement of Purpose;Transcripts from all Universities attended-Bachelor's and Master's;Graduate Record Examination Results
- Three (3) Recommendation Letters. You need to ask three persons to submit references for you to the same address.
Please give the reference forms on the web to three persons who can recommend you as a student in our program. (at least two of which are from Academia).
- TOEFL Scores (for foreign Students)
- All persons who are not Mississippi residents must pay a $25.00 application fee. Applications will not be processed until the fee is paid.
The following items should be sent directly to the Department of Political Science at the address below:
Dr. Jerry Emison , Graduate Coordinator
Department of Political Science and Public Administration
P.O. Box PC
Mississippi State University
Mississippi State, MS 39762
- Two (2) samples of previously written research such as a graduate thesis, capstone analysis, or analytical work completed in your professional position; and
- Current resume.
Financial Assistance
Graduate Assistantships are available for full-time study. Currently, a substantial number of graduate students are funded through the Department or other units on campus. All accepted students are considered for departmental assistantships. Currently, Ph.D. level students receive a stipend of $10,200 for nine months. In addition, for graduate assistants, tuition Fall and Spring is waived.
Cost of Living
The cost of living in the Mississippi State/ Starkville area is low to moderate when compared with most of the United States. Living accommodations within a wide price range are available for single and married students. Moderately priced apartments can be found within walking distance of campus. For more information about Starkville, Mississippi by clicking here.
Ph.D. In Public Policy and Administration Curriculum Includes:
Public Administration Concentration (15 credits):
PPA 9603 Scope of Public Administration
PPA 9703 Organization Behavior in the Public Sector
PPA 9713 Administration of Human Resources in a Public Sector Environment
PPA 9723 Public Budgeting Processes and Their Policy Implications
PPA 9613 Rural Government Administration
Public Policy Concentration (12 credits)
PPA 9903 Public Policy Formulation and Implementation
PPA 8990 Comparative Public Policy
PPA 9103 American Political Institutions
PPA 9893 American Political Behavior
Elective Concentration (9 credits):
Students will develop an elective concentration consistent with their professional goals. Courses in the student's elective concentration must be approved by the major professor and the student's preliminary exam committee. Students completing a minor in another department will be required to complete 12 hours of course work.
Research Methodology (9 credits):**
Quantitative Analysis Prerequisite-- Students who do not pass a department methods exam must take one of the following classes: SO 8274, ST 8114, EPY 6214
PPA 8993 Research Design and Philosophy of Science
PPA 9803 Multivariate Analysis and Design for Public Affairs
Qualitative Analysis-- Students must take one of the following classes: PPA 9813, SO 8233
**For students interested in having an elective concentration in Research Methods, one of the required courses will count as three of their nine elective hours. Thus, they will need to complete only 6 additional hours of course work to achieve an elective concentration in Research Methods.
Dissertation Credit
20 hours of dissertation required
Student Diagnostic Reviews
The Ph.D. faculty will review the performance of each student after the completion of 18 hours of graduate work at Mississippi State University but no later than the end of the second year. The examination shall include a review of grades, and where appropriate, seminar papers and other evidence of potential to complete the preliminary examinations and the dissertation. It shall also include an oral interview with the Ph.D. faculty.
Preliminary Examination
PhD students must pass a preliminary examination before proceeding to the dissertation. For sample questions and answers, click here.
Schedule of Classes
A schedule of when each PhD class is being offered is available here.
Writing Style
To obtain our department's Writing Style Guide for Graduate Programs, click here.
For additional information, contact:
Dr. Jerry Emison, PhD Advisor
Department of Political Science and Public Administration
P.O. Box PC
Mississippi State, MS 39762-6003
(662) 325-2711
(662) 325-2716 Fax
e-mail: Dr. Jerry Emison
