The Doctor of Public Administration (D.P.A.) is a practitioner-oriented degree designed to develop leadership, management, communication, and problem-solving skills for professionals working in public and nonprofit organizations. The program emphasizes the application of theory to practice and is structured to meet the needs of working professionals.
The D.P.A. program consists of 60 semester hours of coursework, including core courses, methods courses, concentration area courses, guided electives, and a capstone seminar/project sequence. The program incorporates a blend of online coursework and required residency experiences. Students participate in selected residency seminars and meetings on campus during designated weekends, while the remainder of the coursework is completed online.
Selected Educational Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the D.P.A. program, students will:
- Demonstrate competency in core public administration knowledge and principles.
- Apply appropriate research methodologies in public administration.
- Evaluate and apply public administration theories to real-world organizational challenges.
- Demonstrate advanced analytical, leadership, and decision-making skills in public sector environments.
Outcome Assessments
Student learning is assessed through a variety of methods, including:
- Course-embedded assessments such as examinations, written assignments, and applied projects.
- Research projects presented during residency seminars.
- Evaluation of student work within the capstone seminar sequence, including applied projects and case studies.
- Development and assessment of professional portfolios.
- Completion of a capstone seminar/project sequence demonstrating applied research and professional competencies.
Admission Deadlines
Fall Deadline: April 15
- This program considers applications for Fall term only.
Go to the Graduate School website and click on Our Programs, then click on Public Administration for information on:
- Specific DPA Program Admission Requirements
- DPA Program Retention, Dismissal, and Readmission Policies
- DPA Program Graduation Requirements
To Apply Online, click here.
Requirements for the DPA Degree
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core (Required) Courses | 18 | |
| PADM 9000 | Administration and Government | 3 |
| PADM 9010 | Financial Management for Public and Non-Governmental Organizations | 3 |
| PADM 9020 | Managing Human Resources in Public and Non-Governmental Organizations | 3 |
| PADM 9060 | Information and Data Management | 3 |
| PADM 9070 | Culture of Formal Work Organizations | 3 |
| or SOCI 9070 | Culture of Formal Work Organizations | |
| PADM 9080 | Public Policy Formation and Policy Analysis | 3 |
| Methods Courses | 9 | |
| PADM 9030 | Logic of Inquiry in Administration 3 | 3 |
| PADM 9040 | Research and Methods for Public Administration | 3 |
| PADM 9050 | Program Evaluation | 3 |
| or PSYC 9050 | Program Evaluation | |
| Concentration Area Courses | 15 | |
| Each student must identify a concentration area upon completion of 18 hours of coursework in consultation with the program coordinator, department head, and dean. | 15 | |
| Guided Elective Courses | 6 | |
| Students will select guided electives in consultation with their advisor. | 6 | |
| Capstone Seminar/Project | 12 | |
| PADM 9990 | Capstone Seminar I | 3 |
| PADM 9991 | Capstone Seminar I | 6 |
| PADM 9999 | Dissertation Hours | 3 |
| Total Required for the Degree | 60 | |
- 3
Student must take PADM 9030 in the first semester of course work
