The Doctor of Public Administration (D.P.A.) is a terminal applied-research 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 knowledge. Upon successful completion, the title of "Doctor" is awarded and the post-nominals of D.P.A. or DPA can be used.

Contents 1 Ph.D. vs D.P.A. 2 Structure of Programs 3 Purpose 4 Practice 5 Demand 6 Sample Dissertations/Research 7 Honorary Degrees 8 Schools Offering D.P.A. Degrees 9 References 10 See also

[edit] 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. dissertation in terms of effort, academic 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." ^[1]

Differences between PhD and DPA:^[2]

Career focus:
PhD: Develop professional researchers
DPA: Develop researching professionals

Domain of research topic:
PhD: Research any topic within the field of study
DPA: Aims at making a contribution to the knowledge of professional practice (applied research)

Research type:
PhD: Basic research: original investigation undertaken to gain new knowledge and understanding but not necessarily directed towards any practical aim or application
DPA: Applied research: original investigation undertaken to gain new knowledge, with practical aims and objectives

Research focus:
PhD: Perceived gap in the literature in a subject matter
DPA: Topics that relate to a candidate's own field of professional practice

Starting point for research:
PhD: Literature review to identify a gap
DPA: A problem in professional practice that needs investigation and resolution

Intended learning outcome:
PhD: Significant original contribution to knowledge in a particular discipline through research
DPA: Significant original contribution to knowledge of professional practice through research

Integration of theory and practice:
PhD: Making a contribution to theory, expanding the nomological net around existing theory
DPA: Making research-based contribution to professional practice

Entry qualification:
PhD: Bachelor's or master's degree
DPA: Primarily master's degree

Experience as an admission requirement:
PhD: Not required
DPA: Usually required

[edit] Structure of Programs

Most D.P.A. programs require about 90 credit hours of combined graduate coursework. Students are expected to take a number of core classes, electives, research/method classes, and dissertation credits. Some programs also require comprehensive examinations. All programs require a doctoral dissertation that contributes to knowledge. Candidates typically work with a committee and advisors throughout the process and the dissertation eventually requires an oral defense to the student's committee. Curricula may be offered on a full-time or part-time basis. The normal duration of a doctorate should correspond to about 4 years of full time graduate study or 8 years of sustained part time graduate study.

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 the Philippines. The D.P.A. degree may have a specialization such as management science, organizational behavior, implementation, non-profit management, public finance, national security, defense policy, education policy, environmental policy, international trade and immigration, policy making, policy evaluation, program 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.

[edit] 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.

The official policy of NASPAA is that the doctorate is a research degree. Its "Policy on Doctoral Education in Public Affairs/Public Administration" (1983,1987,1) states that: "Doctoral programs in public administration...should prepare students to undertake significant research in their subsequent careers, whether in government, academic life, or other settings; the capacity to do significant research, rather than access to a particular career setting, is the appropriate goal of doctoral training."

[edit] 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. The average experienced doctoral degree holder in the United States makes $100,511, but this can vary significantly depending on function, location, experience, skills, and sector. ^[3]

[edit] Demand

[edit] Sample Dissertations/Research

• David Edward Freed of Lansing, Mich., earned a D.P.A. The title of his dissertation was "Implementing Organizational Change in a Public Agency."
• Warren Charles Gregory of New Castle, Pa., earned a D.P.A. The title of his dissertation was "Symbolic Politics: Government's War on the Working Class."
• Roxana Marie Hopkins of Marshall, Mich., earned a D.P.A. The title of her dissertation was "Site-Based Management and Student Achievement."
• David Paul Moxley of Lathrup Village, Mich., earned a D.P.A. The title of his dissertation was "Foundations of Board Development: Theory and Practice in Community Service Organizations."

[edit] Honorary Degrees

The DPA degree is sometimes offered as honorary degrees to distinguished public servants. Some notable honorary degrees include:

• George W Bush, Former Texas Governor and U.S. President, Ohio State University
  
• Bill Richardson, Governor of New Mexico and former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations and Energy Secretary, Suffolk University
  
• Salvatore F. DiMasi, Former Speaker of the Massachusetts House of Representatives, Suffolk University
  
• George William Miller, Former U.S. Secretary of the Treasury and Chairman of the Federal Reserve, Fairfield University
  
• Stephen Joel Trachtenberg, Former President of The George Washington University, Kyonggi University
  
• Judith Heumann, Former Assistant Secretary in the U.S. Department of Education, University of Illinois
  
• R. Sargent Shriver, Former ambassador of France and Peace Corps Director, Holy Cross University
  
• Raymond P. Shafer, Former Governor of Pennsylvania, Bethany College
  

[edit] 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]
George Mason University	VA	Y	[4]
University of Illinois at Springfield	IL	Y	[5]
University of Southern California	CA	Y	[6]
University of Baltimore	MD	Y	[7]
Valdosta State University	GA	Y	[8]
Capella University	MN	Y	[9]
University of Plymouth	United Kingdom	Unk	[10]
Western Michigan University	MI	Y	[11]
Loma Linda University	CA	Unk	[12]
Hamline University	MN	Y	[13]
Manuel L. Quezon University	Philippines	Unk	[14]
University of the Philippines, Diliman	Philippines	Unk	[15]
Jose Rizal University	Philippines	Unk	[16]
Saint Mary's University	Philippines	Unk	[17]
Ateneo de Davao University	Philippines	Unk	[18]
Tarlac State University	Philippines	Unk	[19]
Bulacan State University	Philippines	Unk	[20]
Cebu Normal University	Philippines	Unk	[21]
University of Northern Philippines	Philippines	Unk	[22]
Polytechnic University of the Philippines	Philippines	Unk	[23]
University of Antique	Philippines	Unk	[24]

[edit] References

1. ^ Journal of Public Affairs Education, v5 n4 p309-17 Oct 1999.
2. ^ Modified from Bourner, T., Bowden, R., & Laing, S. (2001). Professional doctorates in England. Studies in higher education, 26, 1.
3. ^ http://www.payscale.com/research/US/Degree=Doctorate_(PhD)/Salary

[edit] See also

• Public Administration
• National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration
• Master of Public Administration
• Master of Public Policy
• Doctorate