Best Ph.D. In Public Administration Online Of 2024

Often catering to practicing public administration professionals, doctoral programs in this field can lead to either D.P.A. degrees or Ph.D.s in public administration. All three online public administration doctoral programs that met the criteria for our ranking are D.P.A. programs.

Some programs go under slightly different names, such as public policy and administration, public administration and management, public administration and public affairs, and public and urban administration. Aspiring doctoral candidates can also find programs in specialized public administration fields, such as urban forestry, nonprofit management, criminal justice and emergency management.

According to the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs and Administration (NASPAA), about 85 higher education institutions offer doctoral-level programs in public affairs disciplines, including public administration and public policy.

These research-heavy programs typically entail about 45 to 60 academic credits, plus comprehensive exams and the completion of a doctoral dissertation.

Admission Requirements

Public administration doctoral applicants typically need a master’s degree from an accredited institution. Some programs cater to current public administrators, while others accept applicants without a public administration background. Those without academic or professional experience in the field may need to complete additional coursework in public administration fundamentals.

Along with graduate and undergraduate transcripts, admission materials may include:

• Personal essay, statement or cover letter
• Writing sample
• Résumé
• Academic and professional recommendations

Applicants may need to demonstrate a minimum GPA—often 3.0, but sometimes as high as 3.5. Those whose GPAs fall below the program’s minimum may have opportunities to qualify for provisional admission. Graduate Records Examination (GRE) scores are required for admission at some universities.

Common Courses

Public administration doctoral programs offer varied curriculums, but the following courses are typical of many D.P.A. programs:

• Public Administration Foundations and Theory. D.P.A programs typically include a foundational survey course designed to build on students’ prior knowledge of the field and fill in knowledge gaps.
• Public Administration Research Methods. Students explore qualitative and quantitative research methods in the social sciences, learn to analyze and interpret results, and gain familiarity with statistical software.
• Leadership in the Public Sector. This course examines leadership skills and methods in public policy and administration. Some programs may offer individual courses exploring leadership in specific contexts, such as human resources leadership and financial decision making.

Concentrations

D.P.A. programs may or may not feature established formal concentrations. However, candidates can use their elective courses and dissertation research to focus on areas of professional interest. Potential directions include:

• Criminal justice
• Public policy and administration
• Geography and urban planning
• Social services
• Psychology
• Health services

A D.P.A. can lead to exciting and well-paying new career opportunities, but before you start gathering application materials, take some time to consider whether pursuing an online doctorate is the right move.

To begin with, ask yourself if online learning is best for you. Earning a doctorate takes time. The programs on this list can take up to seven years—a long time to commit to online education if you prefer to learn in a traditional classroom format.

The most successful online learners are typically self-starters who are well-organized and disciplined. If you’re more successful with face-to-face learning and in-person support, an online degree might not suit your learning style.

Next, think about your lifestyle and schedule. Online learning is known for its flexibility, so if work and family commitments currently take up a lot of your time, online learning might be preferable to an on-campus education. Through asynchronous coursework, you can access course materials 24/7 and learn on your own schedule.

Finally, consider how much you want to spend. Online learning can be cheaper than an in-person education, especially if the institution is located in another state. This is because schools sometimes extend in-state tuition rates to all online students, even if they live out of state.

While researching degree programs, you should give plenty of thought to accreditation. Accrediting bodies endorse schools and programs that meet certain standards for student outcomes, financial management and other important metrics. There are two types of accreditation in the United States: institutional and programmatic. Institutional accreditation concerns entire institutions, while programmatic refers to specific departments and degrees.

A degree from an unaccredited school might not be recognized by employers, other schools or credentialing bodies. Plus, students of unaccredited institutions don’t qualify for federal financial aid.

NASPAA accredits public policy master’s degree programs, but does not accredit doctoral programs. However, two schools on this list are NASPAA members—WCU and VSU—meaning they adhere to NASPAA’s standards at the master’s level.

Some D.P.A. programs, such as WCU’s, fall within business departments and can therefore hold accreditation from a business-oriented programmatic accreditor. WCU’s College of Business and Public Management is accredited by AACSB International.

Consider Your Future Goals

People who earn online doctorates in public administration go on to work in the public, private and nonprofit sectors. They oversee people and projects in city and county governments, state legislatures, health departments and military branches.

Each D.P.A. or Ph.D. in public administration program is different and offers unique opportunities. If you’d like to perform and present important research alongside established scholars, you might seek a doctoral program with faculty who specialize in areas that align with your research interests. If you already work in the public administration sector, you might prioritize programs geared toward current public administration professionals.

Understand Your Expenses and Financing Options

The cost of an online doctor of public administration varies widely, as indicated by the three programs on this list. Tuition rates range from $254 to $830 per credit, and programs require between 45 and 60 credits to complete. The cheapest option, Valdosta State University, costs less than $14,000 for in-state students, while the most expensive, California Baptist University, runs around $50,000.

To help fund tuition, schools offer aid in the form of scholarships, fellowships and assistantships. To locate federal student aid opportunities, including grants, scholarships and loans, fill out the FAFSA®.