Public Administration Doctorates & Graduate Programs

What is a Doctor of Public Administration Degree (DPA)?

Want to pursue leadership in the public sector? A doctorate in public administration (PhD) could be a great fit. A Doctor of Public Administration (DPA degree) could teach you the skills to become an in-demand leader.

What are Public Administration Doctorate Programs?

Public Administration doctorate programs include several terminal degree programs where students may conduct independent research. Depending on the type of program, those students who enter with a masters degree program and study full-time might be able to finish in four years. Those who enter without a masters degree program and study full-time might finish their program in five to six years.

Doctor of Public Administration – DPA

A Doctor of Public Administration or DPA degree program, is a terminal degree program for practitioners. It is often planned-out to help students evaluate current theories and practices to make decisions that create value for the public. DPA students often conduct valid, reliable, and ethical public administration research which may aim to effect positive change.

DPA degree students may be required to take about 20 required courses, all of which might discuss issues, concepts, practices and research methods for public service and within public administration. This may include public policy analysis, strategic planning, accounting and finance.

Graduates may study to add their voice to critical issues through public administration policies, administrative processes, and leadership. Through a DPA student’s research and final dissertation, s/he may learn to craft fair solutions that take into consideration diversity and the globally connected community.

Public Administration Doctorate Programs

Public Administration doctorate programs include several terminal degrees where students may conduct independent research. Depending on the type of program, those students who enter with a masters degree and study full-time might be able to finish in four years. Those who enter without a masters degree and study full-time might complete their program in five to six years.

Doctor of Public Administration – DPA

A Doctor of Public Administration or DPA degree, is a terminal degree for practitioners. It is often planned-out to help students evaluate current theories and practices to make decisions that create value for the public. DPA students often conduct valid, reliable, and ethical public administration research which may aim to effect positive change.

DPA degree students may be required to take about 20 required courses, all of which might discuss issues, concepts, practices and research methods for public service and within public administration. This may include public policy analysis, strategic planning, accounting and finance.

Graduates may study to add their voice to critical issues through public administration policies, administrative processes, and leadership. Through a DPA student’s research and final dissertation, s/he may learn to craft fair solutions that take into consideration diversity and the globally connected community.

What are Public Administration PhD Programs?

A PhD in Public Administration is a research degree program and the highest award for scholars and prospective professors. PhD students may study research-based leadership strategies used to address some of the challenges faced in our global economy.

Because research is central to a PhD program, public administration students may work one-to-one with a faculty mentor to develop skills related to academia. In addition to formal courses, some curricula may include research seminars by faculty and other scholars. This aspect of their program might expose students to innovative research and may provide an opportunity to interact.

While credit load and other requirements vary, some programs may have PhD students who enter with a masters degree, complete about 54 credit hours of coursework. These may be divided into public administration courses, a second field and research methods.

Core topics could include a discussion of organizational theory, public management, democracy and policy implementation. A second major field could be, for instance, in Public Policy, American Politics, Comparative Politics, Justice, or Law and Criminology.

After the core courses are taken, students are usually evaluated through a broad-based exam. Once this has been successfully passed, the remainder of the program could largely be devoted to dissertation research.

What is a DBA in Public Administration?

A Doctor of Business Administration – DBA degree program, is a terminal practice doctorate for experienced managers. Like its predecessor, the MBA, students may choose to focus their studies around public administration or nonprofit management. It is essentially a degree program that often aims to help students improve their leadership potential.

To earn a DBA in Public Administration, students may need to complete around 60 credits, and applicants are usually seasoned professionals who have a masters or MBA degree. The format for the program could vary but usually centers around core business courses and advanced business research methods. Students might also study strategic ways to allocate and manage finances, personnel, and supply-chains in addition to executive coaching methods and decision-making.

DBA students also generally take cognate courses which are essentially courses in their major. For instance, someone who wants to work toward a DBA in Nonprofit Leadership might study topics such as strategic communication, grant acquisition and workforce planning.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Employment of arbitrators, mediators, and conciliators is projected to grow 6 percent from 2023 to 2033.

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GradSchools.com offers 76 Graduate Schools with Public Administration Graduate Doctorate Programs