Ph.D. Program Application Process
Our intensive doctoral program seeks students with demonstrated academic ability and those who possess a commitment to interdisciplinary research on significant public policy, management, and information technology issues. Each entering class is small; a typical cohort is six to eight students.
If you’re looking for Ph.D. program overview, including information regarding curriculum, faculty and research, scholarships and financial aid, or placements, please visit the Ph.D. main page.
Before you begin your online application, please carefully review the application checklist and admissions timeline below.
Application Deadlines
The application deadline for the Ph.D. in Public Policy and Management and the Ph.D. in Information Systems and Management is December 1.
If you are interested in the any of the joint Ph.D. degree programs, you are required to submit only one application for admission. We encourage you to submit your application for admission to the department which houses your primary area of interest, and to focus on meeting all of the admissions requirements for that specific department.
Students applying to the joint programs with Economics, Machine Learning, or Strategy, Entrepreneurship, and Technological (SET) Change can elect to apply through EITHER department. Students who are applying to the joint degree program with Statistics are required to apply via the Statistics department's Ph.D. application process. Please note the Statistics department's deadline is December 1.
Questions related to the admission process for the joint program with Statistics can be sent to Jing Lei or Valerie Ventura.
Request Information
Events Near You
Find out about Heinz College events near your hometown, including visits from reps from our Office of Admissions.
Find an event near youApplication Checklist
Before you begin the online application process, please carefully review the list of application requirements and admission criteria for the Ph.D. program.
The Admissions Committee takes a holistic approach to reviewing applications, and we will complete the review of your application after we have received all of your application requirements.
If you are interested in any of the joint Ph.D. degree programs, you are required to submit only one application for admission. (NOTE: If you are interested in the joint Ph.D. program in Machine Learning & Public Policy, please see additional details below the application checklist). We encourage you to submit your application for admission to the department which houses your primary area of interest, and to focus on meeting all of the admissions requirements for that specific department.
Joint Machine Learning & Public Policy Ph.D. Program-Specific Details
Heinz College Ph.D. students who are currently enrolled in their first year of study in the program are eligible to apply for admission to this joint program. Applications from first year Ph.D. students for admission to the joint Machine Learning & Public Policy Ph.D. program must be submitted by May 31 to be considered for admission by the following Fall semester.
Admission of students already enrolled in the Heinz College Ph.D. program (PPM or ISM) into the joint Machine Learning & Public Policy program will be via a application process to the Machine Learning Department (MLD), as described on the MLD website
NOTE: Students in this joint program must be admitted and enrolled in the Heinz College Ph.D. program first. It is not possible to begin the program from MLD

Frequently Asked Questions
Didn't find what you were looking for on this page? Check out our Admissions Frequently Asked Questions page for additional information on any of the topics or processes outlined above.