Public Policy and Global Affairs offers full-time and part-time Ph.D. by research
programme. Increasingly renowned in Asia for equipping our students with in-depth
quantitative and qualitative
research skills to address issues in the richly interrelated fields of Public
Policy, Public Administration, Comparative Politics and Global Affairs with an
Asia-pacific focus; the Public Policy and Global Affairs (PPGA) has become a
fast growing research-intensive program in Asia.
We attract students from various territories, from China, Europe, Japan
and Australia, which makes the student community and research environment a
very culturally lively and diverse one.
Our faculty conduct research on a wide variety of current and innovative
topics that include but not limited to: Public Policy and Management, Public
Servant Motivation, E-Government and Governance, Public Budgeting and Finance,
Public Administration Theory, Comparative Public Administration, Talent
Strategies and Management in China and Singapore, International Relations
Theory, International Security (East Asia), Foreign Policy Analysis, Chinese Foreign
Policy, The Rise of China, China in Africa and Singapore’s Foreign Policy.
Research undertaken by our students include a study of Public Sector Motivation
(PSM) in certain parts of Central Asia and a study of China’s foreign military
security policy towards Taiwan and the South China Sea from 2000 to 2017.
Our
programme rigorously trains our students for research-intensive careers. Many of
our graduates pursue successful academic careers in renowned universities in
Asia, U.S.A. and the UK. Furthermore, many have entered national and
international governmental bodies such as the policy-making sectors and
non-profit sectors as well as private sectors in many regions worldwide.
Equally noteworthy, our graduates have also been employed in local and international
think-tanks.
The Ph.D. programme in Public Policy & Global Affairs is MOE-subsidised and is offered on full-time and part-time basis. M.A. is not offered.
Degree Requirements
Cohorts 2016 and before
Ph.D. students must complete and pass the following:
- Six Core Courses: HA9001 Theories of Public Policy or HA9888 Independent Studies, HA9002 Theories of Public Administration, HA9004 Quantitative Methods in Global Affairs, HA9005 Qualitative Research Methods, HA9006 Introduction to History of Political Thought, and HA9007 Theories of International Relations (18 Academic Units)
- Qualifying Examination
- Thesis
- Oral Examination
Cohorts 2017 and 2018
Ph.D. students must complete and pass the following:
Six Courses: HA9001 Theories of Public Policy / HA9888 Independent Studies; One of the following Subfield Core Courses: HA9002 Theories of Public Administration or HA9006 Introduction to History of Political Thought or HA9007 Theories of International Relations; HA9008 Research Methods 1; HA9009 Research Methods 2; and Two Electives. Core courses read in excess can be used to fulfil the elective requirement.
Other Degree Requirements
- Qualifying Examination
-
Oral Examination
Typically, Ph.D. students complete the coursework requirement within the
first three semesters. They should maintain a minimum
Cumulative Grade Point Average of 3.50. Other degree requirements
include: Epigeum
Research Integrity (online course), HWG703 Graduate
English (unless exempted), HWG702 Small Group Teaching, Information Research
& Management (online course) and attend research seminars. Students on
scholarship might have additional requirements to fulfil. Students are
encouraged to work closely with their supervisor and the graduate co-ordinator
to ensure timely completion of all the requirements.
Ph.D.
students will have to submit and defend their thesis proposal as part of the
Qualifying Examination (also known as the Confirmation Exercise). The Qualifying
Examination should be completed within 18 months from start of candidature. The
final completed thesis will be examined by a panel of internal and external
examiners, after which, an oral examination will be held. Refer to the Timeline and Milestones for more
instructions.
Cohort 2019
Ph.D. students must complete and pass the following:
Six Courses: HA9001 Theories of Public Policy / HA9888 Independent Studies; One of the following Subfield Core Courses: HA9002 Theories of Public Administration or HA9006 Introduction to History of Political Thought or HA9007 Theories of International Relations; HA9008 Research Methods 1; HA9009 Research Methods 2; and Two Electives. Core courses read in excess can be used to fulfil the elective requirement.
Other Degree Requirements
- Qualifying Examination
- Thesis
- Oral Examination