A Doctorate of Public Administration degree program will prepare you for a life of serving the public through a career that affects the way our government or other public entities influence our society. If you decide upon a career in Public Administration, it requires dedication to the well-being of the public, as well as, meeting their needs. A career in Public Administration is very rewarding and allows you to truly make someone’s life better through your hard work.
To enter a Doctorate of Public Administration program, you will need a master’s degree, as well as, your Graduate Record Exam (GRE) or your General Management Aptitude Test (GMAT) scores. Most schools will also require letters of recommendation from your employer or past professors, in addition to, your own personal statement defining your expectations, intentions and goals for the program.
Although online classes within a Doctorate of Public Administration program can be hard to locate, they can be found with a little research. Often, hybrid classes are available. Doctorate programs will require some collaboration with professors, therefore, campus visits may be required. These types of programs are generally called Doctor of Public Administration (DPA) programs, as opposed to PhD in Public Administration.
The DPA program is designed for those who wish to pursue a degree that will allow for a career as a leader in government, politics or public affairs. The PhD degree will prepare you for positions as a research coordinator, professor, policy analyst or private consultant.
While earning your online Doctorate of Public Administration degree, typical coursework may include the fundamentals of public administration and policy, statistical analysis, public finance, public policy theory, macroeconomics, organizational behavior principles, culture and policy, microeconomics and dissertation instruction, as a dissertation project will be required and possibly, a written or oral examination. You will learn how to apply quantitative and qualitative research methods, in addition to, analyzing the results. You will also study current issues in law and ethics.
Many doctorate programs will allow you to study several aspects of public entities such as, education, homeland security, forensics, public safety, social or science policy and healthcare in greater depth. You may also have the option of choosing an area of concentration, while earning your doctorate degree, such as in criminal justice, finance, risk assessment, global leadership or law and public policy. You will be required to research and explore new and original theories, as you will be expected to provide insight into your area of concentration.
Doctoral degrees in Public Administration can be used in many career areas such as, in a governmental office, healthcare reform, international and regional development, as well as, in the areas of environmental issues and non-profit organizations. With a Doctorate of Public Administration degree, you may elect to be a research director, university teacher, manage city budgets as a city planner, energy policy researcher, superintendent or a leader in a public office position, such as a legislative aide or policy analyst.
If you would like to learn more about this field of work, please see our Best Online Schools for Doctor in Public Administration Degree Programs that we have compiled for your convenience.