Best Online Doctorate in Public Administration Programs

DPA and PhD programs in public administration can help prepare students for many of the same types of careers and may share many similar courses. However, the biggest difference is that traditionally, a DPA is designed to prepare students as practitioners in the field whereas a PhD program is designed to prepare students for research-based careers. PhD programs place more of an emphasis on research and the dissertation may be more extensive. Students may consider earning a PhD if they want to work as a college professor or other position in academia and research. Those with a DPA may take on director or management positions within organizations that specialize in working with and serving the public. However, a DPA and a PhD can qualify students for the same advanced positions. Other factors, such as credit requirements, the dissertation requirement, and the time to degree completion, can be comparable between a DPA and PhD.

Some students may be trying to decide between earning a master's degree, graduate certificate, or doctoral degree in public administration or another related area. Graduate certificates are by far the shortest kind of program and are available in areas such as communications, public administration, health information management, and public health. However, advanced careers in public administration and other areas may require a graduate degree, not just a certificate. A doctoral degree will generally qualify students for a wide range of more advanced positions, and therefore, commonly come with an increase in salary. Students who want to serve the public interest may pursue a doctoral degree in public administration but must decide between an on-campus and online program. Online programs typically provide students with a more flexible schedule while earning their degree.

The admissions requirements for online public administration doctoral degree programs vary by program. Most of these programs do not have official prerequisites, but depending on a student's educational background or professional work experience, students may be required to complete additional prerequisite coursework. Generally, applicants to these degree programs must complete a graduate application and submit the necessary materials. Commonly, this includes scores to the GRE and transcripts. Students may be required to meet a minimum GPA requirement on their transcripts. Other common materials for these degree programs include letters of recommendation, a goals statement, a resume, and a writing sample. Some programs may include an interview process and students must ensure that they meet the technology requirements for an online degree program.

DPA or PhD in Public Administration degree programs usually require between 49 and 52 credits of coursework. Many of these programs can be completed fully online, but some may require some on-campus residencies for in-person learning. Depending on the program, students may have the option to take synchronous online courses or choose a hybrid format. Some online doctoral programs in the field follow a cohort model to allow students to interact with their peers. Most online public administration doctoral degree programs do conclude with a dissertation that students must pass prior to graduation.

How Long is an Online Doctoral Public Administration Program?

How long it takes a student to finish an online doctoral program in public administration will vary depending on several different factors. Some programs are designed to be completed in as little as 3 to 4 years. However, students can also commonly complete their degree at a slower pace, but schools may have a time limit to complete the doctorate, such as 8 years. The course load that a student takes each semester can greatly influence the time to degree completion, as well as how long it takes students to finish their dissertation. Some programs may accept transfer credits, which may help students earn their degree faster.

Coursework for online public administration doctoral degree programs vary, but in general, students will take some online classes in public administration and research. Typically, students have some core public administration and research courses that they must take, but several programs include various elective courses. These electives allow students to explore other areas of interest within the field and further customize their degree. Some programs may allow students to use these electives to focus their studies in one of several available specialization areas. Coursework for these doctoral programs is designed to equip students with the management, analysis, and research skills needed to succeed in public administration. Explore some examples of common courses for these programs below.

Public Policy

Students in these courses discuss the theories and processes of policy-making, specifically in the public sector. These courses generally try to combine the research process and practitioner experience to help prepare students for the real world. Students also discuss each stage of the policy process in detail. Depending on the course, some classes may also incorporate topics in finance and the relationship between finance and policy.

Qualitative Research

Courses in qualitative research help train students how to collect and analyze qualitative data, which may be utilized in their dissertation. Students learn to analyze case studies, interviews, and other sources of data using the current methods in the field. Finally, these courses may further develop students' writing abilities as they learn to develop research proposals and write studies.

Public Administration/Management

Students will likely take one or more courses in public administration or management throughout their program. These courses may explore the history of the field, as well as the foundations and main concepts of public administration. Students may also explore how different factors, such as social environment, organizational structure, and political environment, affect administration.

Leadership and Change

Courses in leadership and change explore the need for organizations to change, as well as the importance of leaders in promoting this change. Students carefully study the role of innovation and then learn about methods for engaging others in the change process. These courses may discuss specific leadership strategies and tools that future leaders can utilize.

Many online doctoral degree programs in public administration do not offer additional areas of specialization but instead may provide students with a range of elective courses to choose from. These courses help students customize their plan of study and learn about different interest areas. Students also have the opportunity to explore different areas of interest through their research. However, there are some online doctoral programs that allow students to specialize in one of several available areas, such as policy analysis and evaluation, organizational leadership and management, or data modeling and analytics. These specialization areas help give students specific skills and knowledge in a given area that can help better prepare them for a specific type of career within public administration. For instance, those interested in a research career and how to use data for decision-making may choose a specialization in data modeling and analytics, while another student who wants a leadership role in policy making may pursue a specialization in policy analysis and evaluation.

While some online doctoral programs in public administration may conclude with a doctoral capstone, many require a dissertation. This dissertation is an original research project in the field and is quite extensive. Usually, students complete all of the coursework for their program first, and then they need to pass oral and written comprehensive exams in order to advance to candidacy. After passing their qualifying exams, students begin working with their advisor to form their dissertation committee. This committee will help guide the student through the research and writing process, while providing feedback. The committee will also have the final say in the passing or failing of the dissertation defense. Many students will need to be enrolled in dissertation credits while working on their dissertation, but typically students will have already taken the research methods courses needed to begin collecting and analyzing data for their hypothesis. Students may spend 1 year or more working on their dissertation and can get feedback from their committee throughout. Once the student thinks they have completed their dissertation, they can defend their dissertation in front of their committee. This is an oral presentation, and the committee must give the final approval to the dissertation before a student can graduate.

Choosing an online doctoral degree in public administration should primarily be based on a student's ultimate career goals, but there are many different factors that may also be involved. Students should begin the selection process by ensuring that public administration is the right field for their interests and desired career, that a doctoral degree is the correct level of education they want to pursue, and that an online format will be best for their schedule and/or learning style. Then, students can begin comparing the different characteristics and unique features of public administration programs. Students may want to make sure that a program's coursework or available specializations cover topics that they are interested in studying. Some programs may also take on a multi-sector approach, which can be appealing to students who are not sure on the exact kind of career they want to pursue. Students can also compare programs' different formats, such as synchronous courses vs. hybrid courses or cohort models. Logistically, students should carefully consider the location of the program if it includes in-person residencies, but some students may prefer programs that are fully online. The cost of a program and the availability of financial aid can also help students determine which school may be the best fit.

Another factor to consider when choosing an online public administration doctoral degree is whether the program is accredited. There are many accredited online schools with public administration degrees available. Accreditation is important for both the institution and the student. Institutions must be accredited in order to obtain federal and state funding. Students should always try to pursue a degree from an accredited institution because it stands out to employers as a degree of academic quality and because accreditation allows students to utilize federal financial aid. Institution or regional accreditation is most common, but some programs will also carry subject-specific accreditation from an accrediting body related to the field. Doctoral degree programs in public administration do not typically have this more focused level of accreditation. However, many online doctoral degrees in public administration are available from regionally-accredited institutions. These schools may be accredited by organizations such as the Higher Learning Commission.

Career information for a degree in general public administration is diverse and can cover a wide range of fields. For example, graduates may work in fields such as political science, engineering, education, business, criminal justice, social work, and more. Graduates may work in settings like schools, government agencies, community organizations, and more.Career information for a degree in public administration will also vary by level of education. Those with a doctoral degree can qualify for more advanced leadership positions within public administration, as well as research-based positions. In general, those working in public administration will interact with the public and work to promote community wellness in some way. However, the specific job duties will vary by role. Below, we explore a few possible career options for doctoral graduates.

Top Executive

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual salary for top executives was $106,180 as of 2020. The job outlook for top executives was 8% from 2020 to 2030. Top executives include positions such as city managers, managing directors, county administrators, and other positions that fall under public administration. These professionals perform various job duties based on their specific job title, organization, and size of their organization, but most top executives work to establish goals for their organization. They also help develop policies or strategies for reaching these goals, and oversee the work of various staff members.

Social and Community Service Manager

As of 2020, per the BLS, the median annual salary for social and community service managers was $69,600 and the job outlook from 2020 to 2030 was 15%. These managers usually need a degree related to public policy and social services to prepare for managing programs and organizations that support communities and the public welfare. Job duties for social and community service managers are specific to the job, but in general, these managers plan, implement, and evaluate programs that address a need of the community.

Political Scientist

The median annual salary of political scientists was $125,350 as of 2020, according to the BLS. The BLS also stated that political scientists had a job outlook of 9% from 2020 to 2030. Political scientists generally hold an advanced degree in public administration, political science, or a related field. These scientists study political systems, and analyze political ideas, policies, and issues. They usually conduct a lot of research, and try to identify various trends. They may also examine the effects of different policies and laws on governments, people, and other parties.

Between the tuition, fees, and other expenses, earning an online doctoral degree in public administration can be expensive. Many students will want to explore the different financial aid options to help minimize the cost of earning their degree. Despite being graduate students, doctoral students should still fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year to see their federal loan and grant options. Then, students can explore the different financial aid options that their school(s) and program(s) of interest may offer. For example, some schools offer military tuition discounts or assistantships to help pay for school, but some of these options may only be available to on-campus students. There are also commonly scholarship options available from schools and other outside organizations that may be related to a specific field subject. For instance, the American Society for Public Administration (ASPA) offers the Walter W. Mode Scholarship for graduate students in public administration. This $1,500 award is available to students who want to work in public service and are members of the ASPA.