Explore Questions That Drive You

The mission of the Doctoral Program at the Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service is to prepare students for careers in research and teaching in the fields of public affairs and administration. Wagner offers students an array of educational opportunities to become scholars and researchers in policy, finance and management in the public, health and nonprofit sectors. The degree granted is a Ph.D. in Public Administration.

The admissions process is designed to review the overall potential of applicants in order to determine which students will succeed in their studies and their careers. Decisions are not based on one single indicator. An admission decision will include the following criteria:

  • Prior academic performance, including GPA
  • Relevant course work completed
  • Work experience (professional, research, publications, internships or volunteer)
  • Statement of purpose
  • Recommendations (three are required)
  • Standardized test scores (GRE or GMAT scores are required for all Doctoral Program applicants)
  • Personal interview, if requested by the Doctoral Admissions Committee
  • TOEFL and TWE scores (required for applicants whose native language is not English and who have not received a master's degree in an English-speaking institution)

In addition, applicants are encouraged to submit any documentation, especially writing samples, that they feel will allow the Admissions Committee to understand better their record of accomplishments and potential as a researcher. Applicants can do this by uploading supporting documentation via the online application system. Applicants should not feel constrained by the information requested in the application packet.

Important components specific for doctoral applicants:

Important Notes

Doctoral applications are due on December 3, 2012.

All doctoral applicants are required to submit GRE or GMAT scores by the deadline.

Contact Us:

Contact us with questions regarding the admissions process

wagner.phd@nyu.edu
212.998.7414

Academic Preparation

The Doctoral program requires a previously earned master's degree and only in extremely rare circumstances, a student with only a bachelor's degree may be admitted into the doctoral program provisional upon the completion of a year of master's study at NYU Wagner. These students must pass the doctoral Research Methods course with a grade of B or better in the fall of their second year as a master's student, and the Preliminary Qualifying Exam (PQE) the following Spring. If successful, these students would be admitted to the doctoral program as a second-year student. However, they must also fulfill all the requirements for their master's degree.

Current first-year Wagner MPA/MUP students who wish to be considered for the doctoral program must submit a formal application by the December deadline. These students may be granted provisional admission to the doctoral program. Like any students applying without a completed master's degree, they must fulfill the conditions outlined above

Review Process

Doctoral applications are accepted for the fall semester only and will be reviewed on one occasion as noted in the deadline schedule. All application materials must be submitted by the December 3 deadline. Due to the extended review process, decisions will be announced in March or April of the following year

Financial Aid

All matriculating NYU Wagner Doctoral students receive 100% tuition remission, but doctoral students are still responsible for books and academic fees. Full-time doctoral students are also guaranteed a four-year research assistantship (or equivalent), which carries a stipend, as a part of the financial aid package. No additional application materials are required for consideration.

Finally, various fellowships, research positions, especially at Wagner's research centers, and paid teaching opportunities may also be available to doctoral students. You can contact the program Director, Assistant Director, and individual faculty in your area of interest for more information about financial aid.