D.P.P. – Social Policy Online Shaping Solutions for Society’s Most Pressing Challenges

60
Credit Hours
100% online, 8-week courses
Transfer in up to 50% of the degree total
Elevate Your Influence with Liberty University’s Doctor of Public Policy in Social Policy Degree
Are you ready to be at the forefront of social change, crafting policies that shape the future of communities? Liberty University’s online Doctor of Public Policy (D.P.P.) in Social Policy is designed to help equip you with the advanced knowledge and leadership skills to begin addressing the complex challenges facing society today. From healthcare and education reform to social welfare and economic justice, this degree can help empower you to become a voice in the public arena, advocating for solutions that improve lives.
Whether you’re currently working in government, nonprofit, or community leadership roles or seeking to transition into social policy, this program can help you thoroughly explore policy analysis, ethical leadership, and effective decision-making. You’ll study ways to evaluate existing policies, propose innovative solutions, and lead meaningful initiatives that have a direct impact on your community. With a focus on research, analysis, and implementation, you can become better prepared to navigate the complexities of social policy and drive change.






Backed by a brick-and-mortar campus ranked among Niche.com's Top 5 College Campuses in America
What Sets Us Apart?
- Private Nonprofit University
- 600+ Online Degrees
- No Standardized Testing for Admission
- Transfer in up to 75% of an Undergrad Degree
- Transfer in up to 50% of a Grad/Doctoral Degree
Why Choose Liberty’s Doctor of Public Policy Degree – Social Policy?
Choosing our D.P.P. in Social Policy degree means joining an institution with a proven track record of providing quality, flexible online education. As a pioneer in distance education, Liberty has spent years perfecting its programs to meet the needs of students like you, offering a unique blend of high academic standards and ethical principles grounded in our mission of Training Champions for Christ. With Liberty, you can be confident that our programs have been crafted to help you pursue your academic and career goals in the field of social policy.
Our faculty members bring years of experience in both academia and public policy, offering you valuable insights into real-world challenges. Their commitment to your growth means you can be supported every step of the way as you work to develop the knowledge, skills, and ethical values necessary to create impactful solutions for society’s most pressing issues.
Additionally, our accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) ensures that you are pursuing a program that meets rigorous academic standards. Our Doctor of Public Policy is offered online, providing the flexibility to balance your studies with your current responsibilities. With most courses being 8 weeks long with no set login times, you have the freedom to tailor your learning experience to fit your schedule.
What Will You Study in Our Doctoral Public Policy – Social Policy Degree?
In our public policy doctoral degree – social policy, you will dive into the intricacies of policymaking in the United States, exploring the historical and constitutional foundations that distinguish the American system from other forms of government. This program is designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of the American public policy process, helping equip you to analyze, develop, and implement effective policy solutions within your chosen area of focus. You can gain an in-depth knowledge of political actors, institutions, and the relationships that influence the formation and execution of public policies.
You can also focus on mastering advanced research methods, which can help prepare you to conduct authoritative studies on critical public policy issues. This includes training in both quantitative and qualitative analysis techniques and studying the skills to evaluate the effectiveness of existing programs and policies. By honing these research and analytical skills, you can work to contribute meaningful insights to the field of social policy.
Throughout your studies, you can explore pressing social issues and examine policy responses, providing you with a balanced perspective that considers both the empirical data and ethical dimensions of social policy challenges. The program’s comprehensive curriculum is geared toward current or aspiring public policy professionals, making it ideal for those working in government, advocacy organizations, or the research sector. Additionally, graduates can potentially pursue teaching roles in public policy, political science, or government programs, using their expertise to educate the next generation of policy leaders.
Potential Career Opportunities
- Community program director
- Government affairs specialist
- Legislative analyst
- Nonprofit executive director
- Policy advisor
- Public policy consultant
- Social policy advocate
Featured Courses
- PLCY 705 – Political Actors and Institutions*
- PLCY 710 – Social Issues and Public Policy
- PLCY 850 – Introduction to Social Policy Studies
- PLCY 851 – Research Seminar in Social Policy
*Course guide coming soon
Degree Information
- This program falls under the Helms School of Government.
- View the Graduate Government Course Guides (login required).
- Semester-long capstone courses emphasize preparation for professional practice.
Degree Completion Plan

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Tuition & Aid
Your success is our success, which is why we are committed to providing quality academics at an affordable tuition rate. While other colleges are increasing their tuition, we have frozen tuition rates for the majority of our undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs for the past 9 years – and counting.
Doctoral Full Time | $595/Credit |
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Doctoral Part Time | $650/Credit |
Eligible current and former military service members and their spouses may qualify for a special rate of $300/credit hour (learn more).
Tuition rates may change annually. For the most current information, please visit our LU Tuition Cost page.
All Tuition & Fees
Financial Aid & Scholarships
Admission Information for Our D.P.P. in Social Policy Online Degree
Admission Requirements
- Apply online or over the phone with an admissions counselor by calling (800) 424-9596.
- A non-refundable, non-transferable $50 application fee will be posted on the current application upon enrollment (waived for qualifying service members, veterans, and military spouses – documentation verifying military status is required).
- Send official college transcripts (mailed as sealed, unopened copies or sent via a direct electronic transcript system). A regionally or nationally accredited master’s degree with at least a 3.0 GPA is required for admission in good standing.
- Applicants whose native language is other than English must submit official scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or an approved alternative assessment. For information on alternative assessments or TOEFL waivers, please call Admissions or view the official International Admissions policy.
Preliminary Acceptance
If you are sending in a preliminary transcript for acceptance, you must:
- Be in your final term and planning to start your doctoral degree after the last day of class for your master’s degree.
- Complete a Master’s Self-Certification Form confirming your completion date. You may download the form from the Forms and Downloads page or contact an admissions counselor to submit the form on your behalf.
- Submit an official transcript to confirm that you are in your final term. The preliminary transcript must show that you are within 6 credit hours of completion for a 30-48 credit hour master’s degree or within 9 credit hours of completion for a 49+ credit hour master’s degree.
- Send in an additional, final official transcript with a conferral date on it by the end of your first semester of enrollment in the new doctoral degree.
Transcript Policies
Official College Transcript Policy
An acceptable official college transcript is one that has been issued directly from the institution and is in a sealed envelope. If you have one in your possession, it must meet the same requirements. If your previous institution offers electronic official transcript processing, they can send the document directly to luoverify@liberty.edu.
Admissions Office Contact Information
Liberty University Online Admissions Verification
1971 University Blvd.
Lynchburg, VA 24515

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Submit your application online or over the phone.
Military
Liberty University is dedicated to providing world-class educational experiences to military students across the globe.
Who May Qualify?
- Active Duty
- Reserve/National Guard
- Veterans/Retirees
- Spouses of Service Members and Veterans/Retirees
Military Tuition Discount
We want to help you find the doctoral degree you want – at a price you’ve earned. As a thank-you for your military service, Liberty University offers eligible current and former service members like you or your spouse multiple pathways to earn a doctoral degree for only $300/credit hour. Find out how you can take advantage of this unique opportunity as you work toward your goal of reaching the pinnacle of your profession – for less.
Tuition rates may change annually. For the most current information, please visit our LU Tuition Cost page.
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- Overview
- What Sets Us Apart?
- Why Choose Liberty?
- What Will You Study?
- Tuition & Aid
- Admission Information
- Military
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