The Sustainable Development Policy, Economics and Governance (SDPEG) Ph.D. program offers a transdisciplinary doctoral education in the policies, practices and theories of sustainable development. By offering a core curriculum that includes applied policy and economic analysis, governance and process design, social science methods, and professional skills development, the program produces graduates capable of conducting original, applied research that is designed to support sustainability and resiliency across social, ecological, and technical systems.
This degree will prepare students to assume positions as policy leaders in government, higher education, public and private sector organizations, non-governmental organizations, and research institutes with the expertise and vision to inform local, state, national, and international policy.
Faculty
Christopher Koliba, Director, Professor, and Director of UVM's Office of Engagement
Jane Kolodinsky, Professor, and Chair, CDAE
Dan Tobin, Assistant Professor
Travis Reynolds, Assistant Professor
Trisha Shrum, Assistant Professor
Sarah Heiss, Associate Professor
Dan Baker, Associate Professor
Edward McMahon, Adjunct Instructor
Curriculum
Minimum Degree Requirements
The degree requires a total of seventy-five credits. A minimum of fifty-one credits must be completed in residence. The residency requirement is completed by courses that:
1. are taken for graduate credit through the University of Vermont, and
2. are taken after the student has been admitted to the Graduate College.
The program’s course of study includes a 30-credit core; the option to transfer in up to 24 credits of prior master’s degree credits or the pursuit of a pre-approved Certificate of Graduate Study (15 to 18 credits of electives that are approved by student advisor); 21 dissertation research credits.
30 credit core includes:
Policy & Governance Suite | ||
PA 306 | Policy Systems | 3 |
CDAE 371 | Sustainable Development Policy & Governance | 3 |
Economics Suite | ||
CDAE 370 | Political Economy of Sustainable Development | 3 |
CDAE 354 | Advanced Micro Economics | 3 |
Social Science Analytics Suite | ||
CDAE 351 | Advanced Research Methods | 3 |
CDAE 359 | Econometrics | 3 |
Additional Research Methods | Choose from: Social Science, Statistics, GIS, Complex Systems, Epidemiology
| 3 |
Professional Development Suite | ||
CDAE 376 | Communicating Science | 3 |
PA 380 | Policy Internship | 3 |
CDAE 400 | Doctoral Seminars (3, 1-credit offerings) | 3 |
|
| 30 Credits |
Requirements for Advancement to Candidacy for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy
Students will advance to candidacy following completion of the core curriculum, passage of a written and oral comprehensive exam, passage of the written dissertation and oral dissertation defense exam, and acquisition of teaching experience in the field of sustainable development policy, economics and governance. A GPA of 3.0 must be maintained.
Fellowship Funding
Competitive fellowships are available to select applicants. In order to be considered, applicants must submit, with their program application, evidence of experience and success in the research process such as writing sample(s), and/or evidence of research experience(s) (e.g., term papers, class projects, research reports and/or other descriptions of past research experience from academic or professional lives).
January 15th application deadline for funding consideration.
Additional Funding:
Resources for External Funding
UVM Food Systems Research Center Fellowships
Admissions Requirements
- Completion of a master’s degree in public policy, public administration, economics, natural resources, engineering, ecology, food systems, political science or a closely related field, including social sciences, professional fields, and STEM (In certain cases, applicants without a prior master's degree will be considered.)
- Completion of undergraduate level statistical methods course
- Completion of one graduate level course in research methodology
- Completion of one graduate or upper undergraduate level course in micro or macro economics
- Resume or Curriculum Vitae
- Applicants must submit evidence of experience and success in the research process such as writing sample(s), and/or evidence of research experience(s) (e.g., term papers, class projects, research reports and/or other descriptions of past research experience from academic or professional lives).
- January 15th application deadline for funding consideration. Otherwise rolling admissions.
- Prior to applying, applicants are encouraged to establish contact with at least one participating faculty member whose research aligns with their interests.
- The Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is optional.
- For international students whose native language is not English or who have not completed undergraduate or master’s degrees in English, scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the English Language Testing System (IELTS), or Duolingo must be submitted.