Doctor of Public Administration

All you want to know about Doctor of Public Administration

The Doctor of Public Administration (D.P.A.) is a terminal applied-research political science doctoral degree in the field of public administration (government). The D.P.A. requires significant coursework beyond the masters level, and a dissertation that contributes to theory or practice. Upon successful completion, the title of "Doctor" is awarded and the post-nominals of D.P.A. can be used.

Contents

Ph.D. vs D.P.A.

Like a Ph.D., a D.P.A. is normally a terminal research degree. The U.S. Department of Education and the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) recognizes the D.P.A. as an equivalent to the more common Ph.D. and does not discriminate between them. D.P.A. research is both theoretical and practical, but the research focus of the typical D.P.A. addresses applied issues, with the results providing professional outcomes that are of direct relevance to practice. A Ph.D. in the meantime is more concerned with developing theory and is more appropriate for people who wish to become professional researchers, or who wish to pursue a career in academia. The D.P.A. dissertation is usually at the same level as a Ph.D. in terms of effort, rigour, contribution to knowledge, supervision and assessment.

A study published by the National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration titled What's in a Name? Comparing DPA and Ph.D. Programs "finds few differences between the programs, noting that degree title is more informative about the type of students recruited than outputs" (Journal of Public Affairs Education, v5 n4 p309-17 Oct 1999).

Structure of Programs

Most D.P.A. programs require between 80-100 credit hours of combined graduate coursework; a portion of the credits typically come from a required doctoral dissertation that contributes to knowledge. The D.P.A. is preceded by a masters degree, typically the Master of Public Administration or the Master of Public Policy. D.P.A. programs are most common in the United States and most are accredited by the National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration. The D.P.A. degree may have a specialization such as management science, organizational behavior, implementation, non-profit management, public finance, national security, defense, education, environmental policy, international trade and immigration, policy making, policy evaluation, criminal justice, civil rights, health and welfare, federalism, strategic management, public health, administrative law, social welfare, tax policy, government-business relations, economic policy, public management, etc. Curricula may be offered on a full-time or part-time basis. The normal duration of a doctorate should correspond to 3-4 years of full time graduate study or 7-8 years of part time graduate study.

Purpose

The Doctor of Public Administration program is designed to provide senior-level public managers, or quasi-public managers, with the substantive skills, knowledge and values necessary in this era. Students in most programs develop a thorough knowledge of the legal, ethical and political environments of public administrators. Students understand the administrative functions of governmental agencies and gain expertise in strategic planning, advanced management techniques, program implementation and results-based leadership.

Practice

D.P.A. holders typically practice in senior level positions in federal, state, or local government--including elected office; practice in non-profit organizations or private sector organizations with some nexus to government; or some D.P.A. holders enter academia.

Demand

With the expansion of public government in size and scope, more public administration career opportunities exist than ever before. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics, www.bls.gov, notes that public administration employees will be required for a variety of public, state or municipal agencies. Significant demand for public administration comes from 1996 legislation that empowers more local public governments to administrate federal programs. Additionally, as some public sector activities become privatized, there is an increasing need for public administration-related skills, knowledge, and abilities in the private sector. Obtaining a doctor's degree in public administration earns the graduate a great deal of civic recognition and reward.

See also

Schools Offering D.P.A. Degrees

University Location NASPAA Accredited Web site
University of South Africa South Africa N [1]
University of La Verne CA Y [2]
University of Canberra Australia Unk [3]
University of Illinois at Springfield IL Y [4]
University of Southern California CA Y [5]
University of Baltimore MD Y [6]
Valdosta State University GA Y [7]
University of Plymouth United Kingdom Unk [8]
Western Michigan University MI Y [9]
Loma Linda University CA Unk [10]
Hamline University MN Y [11]
Jose Rizal University Philippines Unk [12]
Saint Mary's University Philippines Unk [13]
Ateneo de Davao University Philippines Unk [14]
Bulacan State University Philippines Unk [15]
Cebu Normal University Philippines Unk [16]
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doctor_of_Public_Administration"

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