All students must meet the Requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy Degree
Overview
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.
Specific Requirements
Minimum Degree Requirements
The degree requires a total of 75 credits. A minimum of 51 credits must be completed in residence. The residency requirement is completed by courses that are taken for graduate credit through the University of Vermont, and are taken after the student has been admitted to the Graduate College.
The program's course of study includes:
- 15-credit core
- Up to 24 transfer credits from prior master’s degree (12 out of 24 transferable credits must meet pre-requisite requirements in statistical methods, research methodology, economics and policy process theory)
- 15 credits of a pre-approved Certificate of Graduate Study or a customized sequence of advisor-approved graduate level elective courses
- 21 dissertation research credits
The 15-credit core includes:
| Requirement Description | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| CDAE 7710 | Sustain Dev Policy & Gov | 3 |
| CDAE 7700 | Political Econ of Sustain Dev | 3 |
| PA 6080 | Decision Making Models | 3 |
| or PA 6110 | Policy Analysis&Program Eval | |
| or EDRM 6110 | Qualitative Research I | |
Or equivalent | ||
| CDAE 7991 | Internship | 3 |
| Doctoral Seminar (CDAE 7000) must be taken 3 times | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 15 | |
Doctoral students enrolled in the program are encouraged to pursue 1 of UVM’s certificates of graduate study including, but not limited to: Ecological Economics, Community Resilience and Planning, Agroecology, Public Health, Sustainable Enterprise, Complex Systems and Data Science, and any relevant new certificate programs; or any 15-credit sequence of electives with advisor permission.
SDPEG candidates must write a dissertation proposal to establish the scope and content of their research project. The proposal will describe the appropriate literature in the field, present the research question(s), identify research methods, and define and explain the intended contribution to the field. A dissertation proposal defense is required during which time the SDPEG student will provide an oral presentation of the proposal. The Graduate Studies Committee must approve the dissertation proposal and oral defense of the dissertation proposal. It is highly recommended that the student complete the proposal shortly after completion of the coursework, usually after the second year. In most cases, the proposal defense precedes the comprehensive exam.
Comprehensive Examination
A written and oral comprehensive examination must be passed by the candidate at least 6 months before the dissertation is submitted. The examination is prepared by the candidate’s Graduate Studies Committee. Upon submission of written comprehensive exam, an oral comprehensive exam is required within 1 months’ time of submission.
The oral comprehensive exam defense must be passed as well as the written exam in order to officially “pass” the comprehensive exam. Success in the written and oral comprehensive examination is a prerequisite for standing for the Dissertation Oral Defense Examination and to officially reach “doctoral candidate” status.
Requirements for Advancement to Candidacy for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy
Students will advance to candidacy following completion of the core and elective curriculum, passage of a written and oral proposal defense, passage of a written and oral comprehensive exam, and acquisition of teaching experience in the field of sustainable development policy, economics and governance. A GPA of 3.0 must be maintained.