Online Doctorate Degree Programs in Public Policy and Public Administration
Individuals interested in researching and analyzing public policy with an eye toward creating effective solutions to real world problems can benefit from earning a doctoral degree in public policy and administration. Upon graduation, students can advance into leadership roles in education, government or the non-profit world.
Choosing your doctorate in public policy
Public policy and administration doctoral degrees include the Doctor of Philosophy, or Ph.D., and the Doctor of Public Administration, or DPA. According to the National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration, the Ph.D. in public policy and administration provides training for research and scholarship, while the DPA focuses on applied skills such as conflict resolution, leadership and negotiation.
At the doctoral level, students choose an area of specialization in public policy based on their own interests and career goals as well as the strengths of their program. Areas of concentration include education policy, urban planning, health care policy, law and criminology.
Individual programs may also require prerequisite knowledge of, or supplemental coursework in, economics, psychology, sociology, political science and ethics. Online public policy and administration doctoral degree programs may also require periodic face-to-face or virtual residencies to enhance a student's development as a scholar or practitioner, to meet and network with other students who share the same academic interests, and to meet faculty.
What to expect from an online doctorate in public administration
Although there are school and program variations, most public policy and administration doctoral degree programs, which take approximately five years to complete, include the following components.
- Coursework: Core courses include topics such as approaches to public policy analysis, data analysis and research methods. Concentration courses depend on specialization and could include public sector budgeting, health administration, non-profit management and more. Comprehensive exams are generally required at the end of the coursework phase.
- Dissertation: Candidates generally explore and critique a real-world problem or practice, make an original contribution to public policy knowledge, or extend existing knowledge, depending on the focus of the doctoral degree program. The dissertation must be defended in front of a faculty committee.
- Internships may be required at some schools.
Most doctoral degree programs require a master's in public policy, public administration or a related field as well as prior work experience. Some programs accept students with only a bachelor's degree, but additional coursework may be required.
If you're ready to start exploring your Ph.D. options, browse through the schools below. Request more information or arrange to speak to a representative from programs that interest you.
