• Students talk in a classroom

    Public and Urban Policy (PhD)

  • Contact Us

    General Admission Contact
    The New School for Social Research
    Office of Admission
    72 Fifth Avenue, 1st floor
    New York, NY 10011
    212.229.5600 or 800.523.5411
    [email protected]

  • Admission Links

  • The doctoral degree program in Public and Urban Policy is rooted in The New School's tradition of progressive scholarship in the social sciences. Scholarly research and thinking are brought to bear on pressing issues of policy, design, and local and global development. You are encouraged to explore a range of theoretical perspectives, methodologies, and critical research approaches as you expand and refine your focal area of study to meet ongoing and emerging policy challenges.

    • Degree Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
    • Format Full-time or part-time, on campus
    • Start Term Fall
    • Credits 60
    • Application Deadline January 15

    View current tuition and fees

    Funding and Scholarships

    As of the 2024–2025 academic year, NSSR is waiving tuition for all new and continuing PhD students. NSSR is also providing guaranteed financial support for four years for most new PhD students and additional financial assistance for several continuing PhD students. 

    Applicants to NSSR PhD programs are automatically considered for the additional financial support when they apply; no separate application is necessary.

    Career Paths

    The Public and Urban Policy PhD program prepares students for careers in the academy and professional practice. Our graduates pursue academic careers in teaching and research, as well as research and senior-level roles in think tanks, government, and nonprofit and nongovernmental organizations.

    Graduates hold academic positions at  the University of Illinois at Chicago; Brooklyn College; University at Buffalo; Ohio State University; Queens College; University of California, Davis; City University of New York; Loughborough University; and The New School. They serve as researchers and executives at major organizations such as the Center for Data Insights at MRDC, Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Human Rights Watch, the Center for Women's Policy, and the Center for American Progress.

  • Take The Next Step

Submit your application

Undergraduates

To apply to any of our undergraduate programs (except the Bachelor's Program for Adults and Transfer Students and Parsons Associate of Applied Science programs) complete and submit the Common App online.

Undergraduate Adult Learners

To apply to any of our Bachelor's Program for Adults and Transfer Students and Parsons Associate of Applied Science programs, complete and submit the New School Online Application.

Graduates

To apply to any of our Master's, Doctoral, Professional Studies Diploma, and Graduate Certificate programs, complete and submit the New School Online Application.