PhD in Public Administration & Government Graduate Programs in Missouri

Interested in PhD in Government Programs? Whether at the local, state, federal, or international level, ours is a complex government. Countless people work together to provide services, manage communities, address complex social, economic, and political problems, and provide concrete solutions.

Due to its complexity, the government relies on professionals. These experts have knowledge and skills in public service and public affairs. Their abilities are important for the success of the government. Keep reading for more information on Public Administration & Government Graduate Programs

Graduate programs in government, public administration, and public policy can help professionals improve their skills. These programs prepare them to work in government agencies, non-profits, social enterprises, private businesses, and other organizations. The curricula are advanced and interdisciplinary, offering a broad range of knowledge.

In their graduate programs, students often learn to be public servants. They study how to provide good governance and manage programs and services. They also learn to navigate public policy and conduct research in their field. Learn more about graduate programs in government, public administration, and public policy below.

What Government, Public Administration, and Public Policy Graduate Degrees and Certificates Might I Pursue?

There are numerous graduate programs in public policy, public administration, and government through which you can pursue a certificate, master’s degree, or doctorate degree in a variety of topics. You may find these graduate programs in on-campus, online, and in hybrid formats. Read on to learn more about your Government Graduate Programs options.

What are Government, Public Administration, and Public Policy Master’s Programs?

Several types of master’s degree programs exist in public policy, public administration, and government. Four common degrees are:

• Master of Arts (M.A.)
• Master of Science (M.S.)
• Master of Public Administration (M.P.A.)
• Master of Public Policy (M.P.P.)

Any of these degree programs may focus on one or more areas of government. These areas include administration, public policy, public affairs, homeland security, diplomacy, politics, and government management.

Students typically complete M.A., M.S., M.P.A., and M.P.P. graduate programs through two years of fulltime study. Students commonly complete core coursework and choose a concentration or elective coursework to specialize their knowledge. Evening and weekend courses, online classes, and part-time options may be available for students who work full-time. These options help those who need flexible schedules or distance learning.

To earn a master’s degree in public policy, students might have to write and defend a thesis, take a comprehensive exam, do an internship, or complete a capstone project in addition to completing coursework. Requirements like these depend, of course, on the program so be sure to check with the schools that interest you most.

What are Government, Public Administration, and Public Policy Doctoral Programs?

There are also numerous types of government, public administration, and public policy doctoral programs. Some popular degree programs include the PhD in public policy, public administration, or another area of government such as political economy, health policy, or social policy. Another popular degree program is the Doctor of Public Administration (D.P.A.).

Students typically pursue a DBA or PhD in public administration, public policy, or another area of government over the course of four to six years of full time study. They commonly complete core and elective coursework and classes designed to learn how to research and write a dissertation.

In addition to doing a dissertation, students might have to take a comprehensive exam, do an internship, do student teaching, or work as a research assistant to conclude their programs. Most doctorate programs are research-intensive. The specific requirements of a doctorate program depend, of course, on the program.

Government, Public Administration, and Public Policy Graduate Certificate Programs in Missouri

Graduate certificate programs typically include four to six courses in subjects that give students basic theoretical and practical knowledge of government, public administration, public policy, and other related areas.

Students typically pursue a graduate certificate over the course of six months to one year of full time study (which, in the case of a certificate program, might mean two to three classes per semester). Programs like these are typically designed to enhance students’ existing bachelor’s degrees or give them some knowledge in an area of personal or professional interest.

What Might I Study in a Government, Public Administration, or Public Policy Graduate Program?

In graduate certificate programs in government, public administration, and public policy, you’ll typically study foundational theories, concepts, and applications in public policy, administration, and governance or in areas of public policy, administration, or governance (such as homeland security, justice administration, or diplomacy).

Some common core subjects in certificate programs include foundations of public administration or policy, strategic management, intergovernmental relations, the public sector, and economics.

In M.A., M.S., M.P.P, and MPA programs, you’ll typically study subjects that help you develop a broad perspective of government or an area of government. Some subjects you might study include:

• Economics
• Ethics
• Management and leadership
• Negotiations
• Politics
• Public policy
• Public administration
• Quantitative and qualitative research methodologies
• City, country, state, and federal governance
• Political theory

Depending on your Government Graduate Programs, you might do advanced core coursework in subjects such as public administration (including financial management, program evaluation, community planning, and elections) public policy (including decision analysis, modeling, and quantitative methods), homeland security, diplomacy, or other subjects central to the program.

M.A., M.S., M.P.P., and M.P.A Specializations

As you’re pursuing your M.A., M.S., M.P.P., or M.P.A. degree, you might have the option to concentrate or specialize your studies in a particular area as well. Some examples of areas for concentration and specialization include:

• Business and government policy
• Democracy
• Politics
• Institutions
• International affairs
• Political economy
• Social policy
• Urban policy
• Local government
• Nonprofit management
• Health
• Public finance

In many master’s degree programs, students can pursue a dual degree and combine their program in public policy, public administration, or government with one in an area such as social work, nonprofit management, law, and management. Check with your preferred school to learn more about your options.

Finally, in DPA degree and PhD programs in public policy, public administration, and government, you might study subjects similar to those in a master’s degree program but in greater depth and breadth.

You might also study subjects such as micro- or macro-economics, specific areas of public administration and policy (many times through independent research that culminates in a dissertation), and advanced courses in evaluation techniques and research methodologies.

DID YOU KNOW? According to the BLS, the employment of political scientists is projected to grow 3 percent from 2023 to 2033.

Students in doctorate programs might have the option to concentrate or specialize their knowledge in areas such as healthcare administration, program administration, administration of justice, and areas of policy such as social, globalization, health, and environmental policy.

You can begin your search for government, public administration, and public policy graduate programs now. Below you’ll find several options for programs ranging from graduate certificates in public administration to PhD in public policy. You can also refine your Government Graduate Programs search using our search tool on the left.

There you can browse by program level (certificate, master’s, or doctorate), format (hybrid, online, or campus), or location (city, state, and country). Who knows? You just might find perfect Government Graduate Programs for you in government, public policy, or public administration in Missouri. Good luck!

Gradschools.com Offers Graduate Schools with Government Graduate Programs in Missouri​