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The academic field of public administration examines how laws are put into practice and train students for careers in government. Insofar as these organizations impact the public, a degree in public administration can also impart organizational skills to non-profit and non-governmental groups.
These fields cover topics like:
- changing business and organizational landscapes impacting societies
- providing low-income children with access to healthcare and education
- defending nations from terrorists
- providing food and water to developing countries
Public Administration graduates can find employment in government, business, and non-profit organizations. However, students who want to take a step forward and open more career opportunities are best to obtain a doctorate in public administration degree.
Doctorate degree holders can take control of their transition from public service to field service as educators by earning a doctorate in public administration.
Between now and 2032, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) anticipates an 8% increase in post-secondary teacher employment, which is more than double the national average for all occupations.
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The Lowdown
Students planning to enroll in public administration doctorates should carefully consider several factors, one of which being the school and program’s accreditation. Accreditation can mean two things: a high-quality curriculum and easier credit transfer. Additionally, tuition reimbursement programs frequently may not apply to students attending colleges with national accreditation.
Methodology
A career in Public Administration can be rewarding. The pay is great, too, especially for professionals who have a doctorate in their belt! Today, online Public Administration degree programs at the doctoral degree level allow for flexible class scheduling and time to completion.
Each of these Online Doctor of Public Administration degrees made it to our list because of these features:
- Delivered as a 100% online or hybrid doctorate program, requiring students to either accomplish web-based coursework completely or meet online and on-campus requirements
- Features applied research-focused curricula featuring subjects and courses that are relevant to modern Public Administration practice, including strategic planning, data analysis, public management, and networked governance
- Facilitated through a Learning Management System that emphasizes convenient collaborative learning and reliable tech assistance
- Develops the soft skills necessary for success in the Public Administration field, such as critical thinking, leadership, effective communication, attention to detail, and teamwork.
- Employs a faculty of terminal degree-holding professors with notable expertise in the field of Public Administration
- Features Student Services and Career Services that provide students the guidance, advice, and networking opportunities they need to successfully navigate their doctorate journey and decide on their career options
- Provides financial aid options with affordable opportunities,
- Welcomes online doctorate students seeking federal financial aid and scholarships,
- Properly accredited by educational agencies that set the standards for web-based doctorate instruction
- Highly esteemed in the Public Administration industry and community
Please visit our Methodology page for the full details of our ranking process.
The 10 Best Online Doctor of Public Administration Programs
Valdosta State University
Online Doctor of Public Administration (DPA)
The online Doctor of Public Administration at Valdosta State University was specifically designed for public administration professionals with at least five years of work experience. Because this is a practitioner-oriented degree, students will undergo comprehensive training to sharpen their skills to thrive in today’s workplace. The program’s courses are created to meet working professionals’ knowledge and competence requirements.
This degree program is best for tech-savvy students.
- Students must complete 54 credit hours to graduate, which includes foundation and core, theory and methods, and elective courses.
- At the conclusion of the DPA program, students will have capstone/project credits to allow the school to evaluate if the student is ready for graduation.
- The degree will take about 36 months if students take nine credits per semester.
- This program provides for a wide range of emphasis locations.
What Makes This Program Unique:
The online DPA at Valdosta State University is among the fastest and cheapest. This DPA degree has exceptionally low tuition based on in-state costs for the university. Additionally, graduates from this school have obtained jobs as human resources directors, county executives, finance officers, assistant city managers, city managers, college professors, public policy directors, city administrators, public policy analysts, and research analysts.
This online DPA degree is web-based, allowing students to study without moving or compromising work and personal obligations. Students can access coursework 24/7.
Did You Know?
The SACSCOC – Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges has accredited the institution to award associates through doctoral degrees. Additionally, Valdosta State University is ranked by US News and World Report as a top National University.
The NASPAA – National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration has accredited its public administration programs.
California Baptist University
Online Doctor of Public Administration
California Baptist University, a Christian university located in Riverside, offers one of the best Doctor of Public Administration online programs, providing degree aspirants with various enrollment possibilities. CBU is focused on teaching students research techniques and taking part in career counseling.
Students will study several topics, including strategic planning and public management, public administration foundations and leadership, data analysis and interpretation, collaboration, and networked governance. Participants receive training in research best practices before finishing their nine-credit dissertation. A comprehensive exam is also required for the program.
- This is a 56-unit program that can be completed in three years in an eight-week online course format, including a dissertation.
- Students can advance together through the coursework and dissertation processes using the cohort model.
- While tuition for the public administration program at CBU is fairly higher than at other schools, students who complete the FAFSA can receive substantial financial aid.
What Makes This Program Unique:
In addition to helping students obtain technical knowledge to succeed as public administration professionals, CBU will also guide them on a journey that combines spiritual, academic, and professional development. This degree will equip students with everything they need to make sound decisions with the moral values of a Christian heritage to address global issues. Graduates become equipped to assume accountability for their actions, think critically, interact with others, and lead others.
Did You Know?
CBU is one of the best transfer-friendly schools. Students can easily consolidate their previous college credits with the help of the school’s enrollment counselors. Additionally, students can expect support from the Academic Success Center on campus, in the community, and 24/7 multi-subject online tutoring via Smarthinking.
Liberty University
Doctor of Public Administration (DPA) Degree Online
Liberty University offers a top-notch online Doctor of Public Administration degree program designed to help working adults meet their career objectives. This online DPA offers a comprehensive curriculum that studies governmental organizations’ administrative duties, allowing students to practice strategic planning, program implementation, advanced management strategies, and results-based leadership.
This degree will also prepare students to work in academia or become public servants holding executive positions.
- The program has a 48-credit-hour requirement and takes about 2.5 years to finish.
- The curriculum is designed for professionals who want to improve the quality of life in both small and large communities. Teachers and government workers who desire to start or advance their careers in higher education, consulting, or other fields are frequent attendees.
- The program has three components: core public administration courses, research-focused courses, and a capstone sequence.
- The research track consists of three courses: research techniques, qualitative research, and quantitative research.
What Makes This Program Unique:
Liberty University knows that most of its students do not have the luxury to put their lives on hold and seek doctorates. Most of Liberty’s students are working professionals seeking flexible and affordable online degree programs. As a result, students of Liberty’s online Doctor of Public Administration can complete all coursework online without specific login times and are not required to step on campus for their research.
Did You Know?
Liberty University has been operating since 1985 and is a distance education pioneer. As a result, the university knows exactly what students want in an online degree program—affordability, accessibility, and high quality. Liberty’s online degree programs are supported by accreditation and a physical campus that helps students get the respect of peers, hiring managers, and other stakeholders.
Liberty University has a long-standing dedication to online education that non-traditional students can lean on.
West Chester University
Online Doctor of Public Administration (DPA)
West Chester University, a top public research university, offers one of the most competitive online doctor of public administration degrees that provides flexible courses. Doctoral students take part in academic activities and are given support for their research. This DPA was created to help non-traditional students obtain the highest level of public administration and affairs knowledge and practice.
This program emphasizes strategic planning, financial and economic policymaking in the public sector, and policy leadership and advocacy.
- Students will be trained to work in academia, research, and leadership.
- DPA students will receive assistance in conducting in-depth analyses to find the most practical and effective answers to the issues they face in practice.
- Students can select their courses in consultation with an advisor from the Public Policy & Management departments, Legal Justice, Planning and Geography, and Master in Social Work.
- Students must complete a series of dissertation seminar courses that produce an application for a scholarship. This requirement demonstrates a high level of competency in applying the DPA competencies to address a real organizational or public problem or issue.
- This is a 43-credit hour program that involves coursework in policy analysis and financial decision-making.
What Makes This Program Unique:
Online students can contact the program anytime and ask for more information on admission standards and financial aid. Online doctoral students can use grants, fellowships, and other types of federal financial aid to cover the cost of their education.
Furthermore, this online program also chooses students to represent the school at local and national conferences. Students can also collaborate with professors on research initiatives, such as a newly published joint paper on the pipeline problem affecting Pennsylvania’s regional towns.
Did You Know?
West Chester University began as a private school of instruction in 1871. West Chester evolved over time and underwent numerous modifications to become a comprehensive public university that grants undergraduate, graduate, and doctorate degrees in various academic fields.
WCU is a difficult institution to get into, but the reward is a top-notch education at a reasonable cost.
The University of Illinois Springfield
Online Doctor of Public Administration (DPA)
The University of Illinois at Springfield offers a top-notch Doctor of Public Administration that is available online and hybrid to cater to their candidates’ hectic work and life schedules.
As one of the highest degrees in the nation, the DPA program at UIL Springfield only admits professionals with at least five years of work experience. Students in this doctorate program are expected to have the ability to study and thrive independently. While coaching and tutoring are available, students must still practice independence to prepare themselves for the job market.
Courses of this online DPA program promote the application of sound theory and rigorous research to complicated issues in business and management. There are also three concentrations available: organizational leadership & management, policy analysis and program evaluation, and data modeling & analytics.
- Students must finish core and elective coursework, a qualifying exam, and a dissertation to graduate from the DPA Program.
- The program is only offered part-time, which means that program completion time may vary depending on how many courses a student takes each month.
- The program has created a set of criteria to support a 4-year time-to-degree, which students can use to create a customized timeline with their advisers.
- Students move through six core courses—public sector leadership and innovation, public policy, public management, research methodologies, and research design—alongside a cohort of peers.
What Makes This Program Unique:
Students in UIL Springfield’s online DPA can receive stipends, which is uncommon for non-PhD candidates. This monthly payment is given to qualified students to help with living expenditures, research, and housing costs. The Doctoral Fellowship Program, however, prioritizes students who attend some on-campus classes, as the DPA is also offered in a hybrid learning format.
Did You Know?
The University of Illinois at Springfield spends over $7 million in research annually.
Old Dominion University
Online Doctor of Philosophy in Public Administration & Policy (PhD)
Old Dominion University offers an online Ph.D. in Public Administration and Policy that provides a high caliber of teaching and research opportunities. Students in the curriculum will do advanced policy analysis and public administration research, learn to communicate their findings to various audiences, and much more.
Because of the PhD’s multi-sectoral approach, students can enter various fields, such as criminal justice, social work, engineering, business, academia, and research.
- This PhD program uses a cohort model wherein students complete 49 credits of coursework in a synchronous online setting.
- The program concentrates on the problems that develop where enterprises, non-profit organizations, governmental agencies, and individuals converge.
- Courses, including policy theory, multisector administration, and research design, are required for the program.
- Students receive instruction in data analysis and research best practices to prepare for their dissertation work, which takes place across 12 credits in their final year of study.
What Makes This Program Unique:
ODU’s doctorate professors maintain partnerships between public and private organizations, which allow the school and community organizations to work together to encourage learning that benefits everyone. Partnerships constantly increase program quality, make better use of resources, and even transform individual partners by strengthening, assisting, and changing them.
Additionally, professors at ODU offer a wealth of knowledge in various fields, including non-profit and public administration, economic development, and citizen participation.
Did You Know?
ODU is one of the safest and best places for gender equality. The Old Dominion University community’s homophobia, transphobia, and heterosexism are all targets of the Safe Space Committee’s efforts. ODU is dedicated to a vision of an open, safe, and accepting community for all LGBTQIA+. The school promotes this environment through advocacy, awareness, and education.
Walden University
Online Doctor of Public Administration (DPA)
When it comes to rankings of online degree programs, you’ll often see Walden University. Being one of the pioneers in distance learning, Walden University offers one of the best hybrid doctors of public administration designed to help enhance the skills and knowledge of future leaders.
The curriculum includes residences with team-based activities investigating real-world case studies that examine organizational problems and their fixes. Modern public administration techniques, practical research, and worldwide management will all be topics you study.
- Students in the program will develop outstanding management abilities to find solutions to urgent issues.
- The DPA curriculum is anchored in real-world experience and preparedness. This program uses evidence-based decision-making to develop advanced practice abilities in public organizations.
- The duration of this curriculum for students is up to eight years. 53 credits are needed, plus five additional credits per semester for the Doctoral Capstone project until it is finished.
What Makes This Program Unique:
Walden’s online doctor of public administration program uses a “charrette-style experience” during the student’s second residency. The second residency mixes highly creative working sessions with open houses and workshops.
Students will engage in a collaborative planning process that marshals the skills and motivation of all parties involved to develop and promote a master plan that exemplifies the radical social change in public administration.
Did You Know?
Walden University has been developing online education since 1995 to satisfy the needs of working adult students. The university has assisted many individuals in earning their college degrees online.
University of Maryland-Baltimore County
Ph.D. in Public Policy
The University of Maryland-BaEltimore County offers a degree very similar to a public administration degree. While a public administration degree prepares students for management, a public policy degree prepares them to evaluate policies and make reform recommendations.
Students will obtain the advanced graduate training they need to enter a research or related position in academia, government, non-governmental organizations, or the commercial sector. Additionally, students can completely tailor their degrees to fit their current schedules because the doctoral program was developed with working professionals in mind.
- This program requires students to complete 48 credit hours plus 18 hours of dissertation research.
- The program admits students without a master’s degree in public policy or related degrees. However, these students should expect to have more courseloads.
- The program supports scholarly investigation that enables public policy practitioners to make knowledgeable choices and excel in their areas.
What Makes This Program Unique:
The study specializations of the online Ph.D. in public policy at UMBC are among the most varied. Students choose one of the program’s five specializations: Educational Policy, Emergency Services, Evaluation and Analytical Methods, Health Policy, Policy History, Public Management, or Urban Policy. This allows students to tailor their PhD degree further.
Did You Know?
The University of Maryland at Baltimore County offers a low student-to-faculty ratio and a variety of amenities to make it seem like home for the students. The campus provides an excellent environment for learning. In addition to offering scholarships and financial help to students, the University of Maryland also has a decent on-campus housing option.
National University
Doctor of Public Administration
National University’s Doctor of Public Administration is a hybrid degree program. It is one of the top degrees to understand advanced public administration topics thoroughly. This degree was designed for existing and aspiring mid-level and senior managers to help them develop the knowledge and skills necessary for a leadership position in public administration.
The degree program encourages students to use their academic knowledge to develop public administration practice. Students will learn the proper literature and research techniques for use in real-world situations. Additionally, the curriculum gives the groundwork for students to assess theories, apply models in practice, and add to the body of public administration knowledge.
- This is a 54-credit hour program that covers a wide range of public management and policy subjects that provide a solid foundation in practical research.
- It discusses organizational and management concepts, administrative law, public management theory, and the values that guide the conduct of public administration.
- Students who enroll full-time can complete the program in as little as 42 months.
What Makes This Program Unique:
National University provides an abundance of financial aid options for its PhD students. One of the greatest financial assistance options of the school is the Pursuit of Knowledge Scholarship, which offers three PhD candidates a full tuition and two 50% scholarships. Students may count on the academic counselors at the institution to be utterly supportive in addition to the financial aid options.
Did You Know?
National University is one of the most prominent religious-based universities in the nation. Students at National are involved in sharing the Gospel and the love of Christ in their local neighborhoods. Students enjoy this and other hands-on learning opportunities and career preparation unique to a Christian college in Minnesota.
Tennessee State University
PhD in Public Policy and Administration
Tennessee State University’s Ph.D. in Public Policy and Administration is available 100% online. This doctorate trains scholars who can comprehend and conduct high-quality original research that advances theoretical knowledge in the subject and enhances practice.
- Students must complete 48 credits of coursework, which can be finished in as little as six years of full-time study and includes core classes and dissertations.
- The program offers synchronous core courses and asynchronous elective classes, allowing students to work full-time while studying.
- It includes a core curriculum, benchmark test, prospectus, and dissertation stages.
- Students acquire and demonstrate knowledge of the key literature in the subfields of public administration, such as organization theory, policy implementation, public budgeting, and financial management.
What Makes This Program Unique:
TSU’s doctoral faculty are among the most approachable. The PhD faculty maintain close contact with their students in discussing crucial opportunities and advising issues. They also use a blog called “Synergy” to post information from time to time that may be of interest to their doctorate students, such as job openings, research advice, conference possibilities, and other career- and education-related matters.
Did You Know?
The Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education has classified Tennessee State University as an R2: Doctoral Institution – High Research Activity. The institution conducts cutting-edge research to address important societal concerns.
What To Expect From Online Public Administration Programs
Public administration professionals can shape laws and regulations, work in non-profits, and manage a city’s operations. Online public administration degrees allow working professionals to get a degree without sacrificing much of their time and money.
Salary: Salaries can vastly differ on many factors, such as job position, sector, and specialization. However, according to PayScale, a doctorate in public administration graduate has an average yearly income of $80,000.
Job Opportunities: Professionals with a doctorate in public administration have access to many job prospects and can work in practically any organization. Professionals can pick from various public administration specialties depending on their interests and abilities.
A public administration PhD or doctorate graduate can become a university professor, researcher, urban and regional planner, budget analyst, operations research analyst, human resources manager, health services manager, and much more.
Stability and Outlook: Your ability to adapt your talents to any career category will be another benefit of getting your online doctorate in public administration. Your doctorate will be helpful no matter what job path you choose in the future, even though working in public administration may be your ultimate objective. You’ll learn various research techniques via your curriculum, along with how to analyze data, all transferable skills.
Similar to salary, outlook will also vary. However, the employment of Administrative Services and Facilities Managers is expected to grow by 5% from now until 2032. On the other hand, post-secondary teacher employment should grow 8% from now until 2032.
Performance: Public administration will forever be relevant to the world since it includes services required by localities to bring about constructive change, advance the common good, and bolster society. Public administrators can run municipal, state, and federal governments and have transferable talents to the private sector.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between a PhD and a Doctor of Public Administration?
The curriculum and admission standards for a PhD and a DPA are quite comparable. The key distinction is that a DPA degree focuses more on the practical application of course principles, whereas a PhD program often has a more theoretical approach.
What are the common admission requirements of Doctor of Public Administration degree programs?
Although a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree are typically required for admission to doctoral programs in public administration, they need not be in public administration or a closely related discipline. However, applicants who have master’s degrees from other fields should expect to take additional foundational courses in public administration.
Although it is uncommon for Ph.D. students in public administration to have relevant work experience, most programs require applicants to submit a CV.
How can I pay for an online Doctorate in Public Administration?
You can pay for your online doctorate in public administration in three ways:
- applying for federal loans and grants
- filing a graduate assistantship application
- working for the benefit of one’s professional development
Why do people study Public Administration/policy?
Degrees in public administration/policy are one of the most intriguing areas of study nowadays. Through this degree, you’ll be able to comprehend how public administration and policy affect people’s day-to-day lives.
This will also assist you in identifying sound public policies and developing programs to advance society.
Summary Points
- While a doctorate in public administration is optional to enter the field, this degree level will be your key to executive-level positions.
- Public administration doctoral programs typically demand about 50 to 54 courses and take about two to three years to finish. Some schools offer generous transfer credit options that allow students to complete the program faster.
- DPAs and Ph.D. in Public Administration programs offer several specializations that allow students to choose one that aligns with their career objectives.
Additional Information:
