Public servants, executives, and managers operate in an increasingly complex global environment. A doctoral education seeks to provide the policy, analytic, and research skills necessary to advance one’s career.
Developed jointly by the College of Professional Studies and Northeastern’s Public Policy program, the Doctor of Law and Policy program (DLP) is designed for experienced professionals who are interested in the origins, development, implementation, and analysis of legal and public policy decisions in government and related institutions. The program prepares students to advance their careers within a variety of fields while focusing their thesis research on a precise law and policy topic.
Students undertake the DLP in order to understand the ways in which public and related institutions formulate and execute policy. Students have the opportunity to develop the ability to interpret and assess the research of others, to acquire skills as researchers, and to communicate their knowledge to a wide range of audiences. Those who successfully complete the degree are equipped to bring their skills and knowledge to senior policy and management positions in government, nonprofit agencies, research organizations, consulting firms, and corporations.
The DLP program is structured so course work and the doctoral thesis can be completed in two years. Classes meet one weekend per month in Boston, and the learning continues online throughout the rest of the month.
Northeastern University also offers a traditional PhD in Public Policy. To learn more, visit the Public Policy program website.
Complete all courses and requirements listed below unless otherwise indicated.
Required Courses
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| LWP 6118 | Historical Foundations of American Law | 3 |
| LWP 6119 | Current Law and Policy Debates: Our Nation’s Capital and Beyond | 3 |
| LWP 6120 | Law and Legal Reasoning 1 | 3 |
| LWP 6401 | Law and Policy Concepts 1: The Policymaking Process | 3 |
| LWP 6424 | Research Methods | 3 |
| LWP 6121 | Law and Legal Reasoning 2 | 3 |
| LWP 6402 | Law and Policy Concepts 2: Strategizing for Public Policy | 3 |
| LWP 6423 | Qualitative Methods | 3 |
| LWP 6122 | Law and Legal Reasoning 3 | 3 |
| LWP 6403 | Law and Policy Concepts 3: Policy Case Studies | 3 |
| LWP 6420 | Quantitative Methods | 3 |
| LWP 6123 | Law and Legal Reasoning 4 | 3 |
| LWP 6410 | Economics for Policy Analysis | 3 |
| LWP 6404 | Evaluation Research | 3 |
| LWP 6431 | Political and Moral Ethics and Dilemmas | 3 |
| LWP 6500 | Doctoral Research Design 1 | 3 |
| LWP 6450 | Public Policy Theory and Practice 1 | 3 |
| LWP 6501 | Doctoral Research Design 2 | 3 |
| LWP 6451 | Public Policy Theory and Practice 2 | 3 |
| LWP 6502 | Doctoral Research Design 3 | 3 |
| LWP 6452 | Public Policy Theory and Practice 3 | 3 |
| LWP 6503 | Doctoral Research Design 4 | 6 |
Program Credit/GPA Requirements
69 total quarter hours required
Minimum 3.000 GPA required