Prepare yourself for a research-oriented career involving the substantive and institutional aspects of public policy. The Harris School of Public Policy is pausing admissions for the Harris PhD and Political Economy PhD programs for the 2026-2027 academic year and will not admit a new class. All existing commitments and support for current students will remain in place. The Ph.D. program at Harris Public Policy prepares students for careers in academia, industry, and government. It emphasizes a rigorous foundation in microeconomics, econometrics, and political economy, along with in-depth study of particular substantive areas associated with policy and policy-making. The program allows students to develop individualized and innovative courses of study in which they work closely with faculty members of the School and the University. Consistent with the highly quantitative and analytic nature of the Harris School's Ph.D. degree, Harris has categorized the degree under a code which is currently on the DHS STEM list. Students on F-1 visas who have earned a degree that has been designated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as a STEM degree may be eligible to apply for a 24-month extension of their post-completion optional practical training (OPT) so long as they meet all eligibility criteria at the time of application. Ph.D. Program Requirements Get information about the curriculum and academic requirements for the Ph.D. in Public Policy Program. If you have questions about the Harris degree requirements, email the Harris Dean of Students Office at harrisdeanofstudents@uchicago.edu. Policies on the results of not meeting these requirements can be found on the Harris policies page. Ph.D. Candidates on the Job Market Meet the Ph.D. program’s current job market candidates. Ph.D. Placements See where our graduates go on to make an impact. Ph.D. Workshop Engage with our students' research. Political Economy Prospective students interested in political economy may also consider the Ph.D. program in political economy, which is joint between the Harris School and the Department of Political Science. Program Details Key Contacts Director of Graduate Studies Steven Durlauf, Professor (sdurlauf@uchicago.edu) Durlauf's research spans many topics in microeconomics and macroeconomics. His most important substantive contributions involve the areas of poverty, inequality and economic growth. Much of his research has attempted to integrate sociological ideas into economic analysis. Associate Directors Yana Gallen, Assistant Professor (yana@uchicago.edu) Eyal Frank, Assistant Professor (eyalfrank@uchicago.edu) Dean of Students Kate Shannon Biddle (kbiddle@uchicago.edu) Harris Admissions Prospective students should contact Harris Admissions (harrisadmissions@uchicago.edu) and can learn more in an upcoming information session. Alumni profile "Here the Client is Truth" For Nancy Staudt, a Harris PhD was the key to deeper understanding of the law - and a great career move. Start making a difference today. Request Info Apply Now Recent News More news University of Chicago Health Lab Releases Evaluation of Washtenaw County Co-Response Unit Pilot Thu., February 26, 2026 Cyber Policy Initiative: Hacker Research Illuminates Solutions to Threats from Offensive AI, Cyber Crime, and Despots Mon., February 23, 2026 Student Profile: Wendy Wang, MPP Class of 2026 Wed., February 18, 2026 Upcoming Events More events Get to Know Harris! A Virtual Information Session Wed., March 04, 2026 | 12:00 PM Up Front featuring Professor Thomas Coleman | New York Wed., March 04, 2026 | 5:30 PM The Smith Midtown 956 2nd Avenue (51st St and 2nd Ave) New York, NY 10022 United States Credential Program Faculty Spotlight: Sample Class with Benjamin Krause Wed., March 04, 2026 | 7:00 PM