PhD of Public Policy
- Ottawa, Canada
- 5 years
- English
- On campus
- PhD
About the program
An interdisciplinary doctorate combining social science and legal perspectives with research methods.
Program highlights
- Internship available: no
- Placement support: no
- Work during study: yes
- Post-study work rights (3): yes
- PR pathway friendly: no
What you will learn
- Develop advanced knowledge of Public Policy and apply discipline-appropriate methods
- Assess relevant evidence
- And communicate informed conclusions.
Career outcomes
- Public Policy Research Assistant
- Program Coordinator
- Project Assistant
- Research and Policy Associate
Curriculum
- Students complete 55 semester hours with a B+ or higher in each course
- Including a seminar on policy theory
- Then pass an annual review and a comprehensive examination
- Form a dissertation committee
- Present a dissertation proposal and defend the dissertation.
Entry requirements
Academic
- Master's degree with B+ or better in courses including the thesis and no grade below B- (https://graduate.carleton.ca/apply-online/minimum-requirements/)
- Programme-specific requirements apply
- English proficiency required unless exempt
- Additional academic criteria: B+ or better in courses (including thesis)
- No grade below B-.
Accepted academic background
Language tests
- IELTS 6.5 (6.0 each band)
- TOEFL iBT 4.5 (new scale
- PTE Academic 5.0 writing
- Duolingo 4.5 other skills
- Institutional test 86 for tests before 2026-01-21)
Documents you’ll need
- Completed Application
- Official Academic Transcripts
- Passport or Identity Document
- Previous Degree Certificate
- Proof of Funds for Study Permit
- Academic References
- Statement of Purpose
- Research Proposal
- Academic CV
How to apply
- Review the Public Policy admission requirements and the current intake deadline. Prepare a research proposal and contact a potential supervisor where the program requires one. Complete the application through Carleton360. Prepare academic transcripts and evidence of previous qualifications. Provide English language test results if required. Submit the supporting documents requested by admissions. Confirm the applicable application fee before submitting the application. Review any admission offer and complete the required acceptance steps. Prepare the appropriate student immigration application if necessary.
Other costs
| Tuition per year | $15,982 CAD |
|---|---|
| Application fee | $125 CAD |
| Deposit | $2,000 CAD |
Program details
| Campus | Main campus |
|---|---|
| Faculty or school | Academic Unit Not Confirmed |
| Department | Academic Unit Not Confirmed |
| Teaching language | English |
| Credit value | 30 |
| Study pace | Fixed |
| Post-study stay | 3 |
| Scholarship note | Potential Carleton University scholarship or funding opportunities may be relevant to Public Policy. Confirm the award, international eligibility, funding level, and application dates with the institution. |
Intakes and deadlines
Program starts
September 2027
Apply by
4 May 2027
171 days left
Scholarships
Potential Carleton University scholarship or funding opportunities may be relevant to Public Policy. Confirm the award, international eligibility, funding level, and application dates with the institution.
Browse scholarships →Frequently asked questions
The program takes 5 years.
The next deadline is 4 May 2027. Apply early, because some programs close when places fill up.
Tuition is $15,982 CAD per year. The application fee is $125 CAD. The deposit is $2,000 CAD. The estimated living cost is $23,448 CAD.
Accepted language tests: IELTS 6.5 (6.0 each band), TOEFL iBT 4.5 (new scale, PTE Academic 5.0 writing, Duolingo 4.5 other skills, Institutional test 86 for tests before 2026-01-21).
Potential Carleton University scholarship or funding opportunities may be relevant to Public Policy. Confirm the award, international eligibility, funding level, and application dates with the institution.