Students are encouraged to serve as teaching fellows in government, sociology, or Kennedy School social policy courses. Completion of dissertation. Applicants are urged to consult the government or sociology department listings for more information regarding the degree requirements in those departments. The government department requires that the general, oral examination be taken at the end of the second year. The sociology department requires that a written examination be taken in September of the third term of residence.
Students then embark on a complementary program of study in social policy.
Participants in both degree programs are expected to select a field specialization within social policy. Students must take one course in the field they select. A list of suitable courses is available from the program office. This requirement can also be satisfied as a tutorial or independent study from a member of the social policy faculty in the Kennedy School. All students in the joint programs are required to enroll in the advanced seminar in social policy that will assist them in designing their dissertation prospectus.