The Ph.D. curriculum at the Heller School is comprised of 15 courses divided into three categories.

1. Core Curriculum in Social Policy Analysis
2. Curriculum in Research Methods, Statistics and
   Analytic Skills
3. Curriculum in Social Policy Concentrations

Students take a balance of required courses and open electives. Electives can be chosen from a variety of offerings in all three categories to meet your needs and interests. Such flexibility allows you to tailor the program to best prepare you for a career in research, teaching, or administration.

In addition to coursework, you must:

• Participate in a doctoral seminar specialized to your area of interest
• Successfully write an integrative Comprehensive Paper
• Successfully defend a dissertation proposal and final dissertation
   

A. Core Curriculum in Social Policy Analysis

In this sequence you will take courses that highlight the distinctive concepts, theories, and models of the various social science disciplines as applied to common social policy problems. Incorporating historical and institutional lenses, you will strengthen your multidisciplinary perspectives and integrative skills.

The following course is required in Category A:

• HS372b, Economic Theory and Social Policy

Students choose one to three of the following courses, depending on their concentration.

• HS300a, Theories of Social Policy, Social Justice, and Social Change
• HS303a, Historical and Contemporary Developments in
  Social Welfare
• HS322b, Sociological Inquiry
• HS472b, Policy and Program Implementation
• HS526a, Organizational Theory and Behavior
• HS529a, Inequalities, Social Policy, and Population Groups

B. Curriculum in Research Methods, Statistics, and
     Analytic Skills

Given the diverse methods used in social policy research, you are expected to acquire a facility with qualitative and quantitative approaches. You must master the principles of various research designs and the analytical skills to address critical social policy issues in a systematic and logical manner.

The following courses are required in Category B:

1. HS401b, Research Methods
2. HS404b, Applied Regression Analysis
   (including an applications lab)
3. A course in Applied Research:
   • HS410b, Applied Research Seminar - Quantitative
   • HS411b, Applied Research Seminar - Qualitative
4. Two advanced methodological electives from the following:
   • HS403b, Qualitative Research
   • HS405a, Applied Econometrics
   • HS407b, Survey Research Methods
   • HS408a, Evaluation Research
   • HS409a, Advanced Econometrics
   • Advanced Modules (offerings vary annually).
   • Methodology courses through The Boston Consortium

C. Curriculum in Social Policy Concentrations

The Heller School has always been synonymous with extraordinary opportunities in social policy research and training. As a Heller doctoral student, you are expected to develop a specialization that has breadth and depth. You can do this by choosing several options, including formal course work, projects, internships, tutorials, and attendance at professional meetings, lectures, workshops and colloquia. The Heller School offers three areas of concentration from which you can choose:

1. Health and Behavioral Health
2. Children, Youth and Families
3. Assets and Inequalities

Each concentration requires up to three courses in that area of social policy.