Best Online Doctor of Public Administration (DPA) Programs
How does reaching the pinnacle of your public administration career path while making well into the six-figure range sound? A Doctor of Public Administration may be your ticket into top-tier executive, administrative, and leadership roles throughout the public sector with government agencies, non-profit organizations, and more. Use STEPS’s guide to explore paths to your future DPA degree. We’ll introduce you below to the best programs, possible specializations pursue, and the career outlook for DPA holders.
An Insight into Online DPA Programs
Deciding whether or not an online Doctor of Public Administration is right for you is really a two-step process. The first step is determining if a DPA is the right degree to get you to where you want to go in your career. The second step is deciding if online study is the right format choice for earning your DPA.
When considering the first step, keep in mind that earning your doctorate in public administration will help you advance in applied administrative and leadership positions with government and non-government public agencies, non-profits, and private consulting firms — think city manager roles, policy analysts, and managers of government relations. DPA graduates establish long-term careers in fields like education, health care, engineering, public affairs, and more.
As for step two, the following program profiles may help you determine if an online school is your best option. But if maximum study convenience and flexibility are important, and if you enjoy working online, then an online DPA program is likely a great fit. Plus you can find scholarships specifically for online students to help pay for your degree.
Liberty University
You’ll find several private colleges and universities offering quality online DPA programs, but these programs often come with a substantially higher price tag than their public-school counterparts. One exception is the Doctor of Public Administration program offered by Christian-affiliated Liberty University. The current per-credit tuition rates for the program are $595 for full-time students and $650 for part-time students. Students can transfer in up to 50% of the credits needed to earn the degree, thus providing them with the potential to significantly lower their total program cost.
Another major feature of Liberty’s online DPA program is study convenience. All coursework is delivered in an asynchronous format that allows students to log in and attend to their coursework according to their own schedules. The 48-credit program consists of six core courses (in subjects such as human resources, urban planning, information management, and organizational leadership), four courses in research methods and tools, and four capstone project courses.
Duration: Five years
Mode: Fully online
Cost: $595 per credit (full time); $650 per credit (part time)
Curriculum:
- Public Administration Ethics, Statesmanship, and Governance
- Information Management in Public Sector Organizations
- Organizational Leadership and Behavior in Public Administration
- Intergovernmental Relations and Public Administration
- Advanced Public Administration Finance and Budgeting
- Human Resources and the Legal and Regulatory Context of Public Administration
- Public Administration and Research Design
University of Illinois Springfield
Affordability is also a key feature of the Doctor of Public Administration program offered by the University of Illinois Springfield. The current per-credit tuition rate (not including fees) for online courses is $367.50 for all students, regardless of resident status.
Study flexibility is another noteworthy feature of the program. Students have the option of completing their studies fully online, entirely on campus, or in a hybrid format combining both online and on-campus components. The part-time curriculum consists of 40 credit hours of coursework and 12 hours of dissertation credits. Online courses are delivered in a synchronous format and typically scheduled in the evenings to accommodate working professionals.
Students choose from three areas of specialization: Data Modeling & Analytics, Organizational Leadership & Management, and Policy Analysis & Program Evaluation. The program is offered in a 12- to 15-student cohort format, and total time to degree completion is three to four years.
Duration: Five years
Mode: Fully online or in-person
Cost: $365.75 per credit hour
Curriculum:
- Introduction to Public Service Management
- Leadership and Management of Public Organizations
- Public Policy Fundamentals
- Introduction to Nonprofit Sector and Society
- Tutorial in Public Administration
- Contemporary Issues in Nonprofit Management
- Public Values and Leadership
- Operations Research Methods
- State and Local Community Development
- Contemporary Issues in Policy
West Chester University
Another excellent public program choice is the fully online Doctor of Public Administration offered by West Chester University in Pennsylvania. In this interdisciplinary program, you’ll complete 45 credit hours of coursework designed to develop core skills in policy advocacy and leadership, economic and financial decision-making, and strategic management.
Students can tailor their education to their interests by selecting a concentration through their choice of elective courses from WCU’s departments of Criminal Justice, Public Policy & Administration, Geography and Planning, and Graduate Social Work. The program culminates with the writing and defense of a doctoral dissertation.
Coursework is completed online with classes delivered in a synchronous format. Both three-year, full-time (nine credits per semester) and four-year, part-time (six credits per semester) options are offered. The current tuition cost (including fees) is $878.55 per credit. A wide range of financial assistance resources are available to qualifying DPA students, including grants and graduate assistantships.
Duration: Three to four years
Mode: Fully online
Cost: $878.55 per credit
Curriculum:
- Doctoral Seminar in Public Policy and Administration
- Advanced Practice and Applied Theories of Public Policy and Administration
- Strategic Public Sector Management and Governance
- Advanced Public Sector Economic and Financial Decision Making
- Advocacy and Leadership in Public Policy and Administration
- Research Design for Program and Policy Evaluation
- Quantitative Methods of Program and Policy Evaluation
- Qualitative Methods Research Methods
- Dissertation Seminar
Difference Between DPA and PhD in Public Administration
You’ll discover during your DPA program search that several schools offer a PhD in Public Administration, so it’s important to understand the basic differences between these doctorates. We’ve listed some of the highlights in the table below, but in the broadest of terms, the DPA is designed for students interested in applied or practical roles in government agencies and non-profit organizations. A PhD in Public Administration, on the other hand, is geared more toward those seeking careers in research and academia.
It is also critical to appreciate that these are general differences and that there are no distinct lines between these degree types — you’ll find some DPA programs with elements more associated with PhD in Public Administration programs and vice versa. This underscores your need to investigate the specifics of each public administration doctoral program you’re considering before you make your choice.
| DPA | PhD in Public Administration | |
|---|---|---|
| Academic Focus | Evidence-based | Research-based |
| Career Track | Clinical/professional | Academia |
| Program Type (common) | Part-time | Full-time |
| Program Length | 4-5 years | 5-7 years |
| Primary Students | Mid-career | Early career |
Providing Answers to FAQs About Online DPA Programs
Can I get into an online DPA program?
Admissions requirements for Doctor of Public Administration programs vary somewhat from program to program. There are, though, a number of requirements common to most programs, including:
- A master’s degree from an accredited college or university. Many programs accept master’s in any major.
- A minimum GPA on previous graduate-level coursework. Specific minimums vary by program, but 3.0 or 3.25 is common.
- Professional work experience. Again, the specific amount and nature of professional experience required varies by program, and many programs evaluate the type and amount of experience on a case-by-case basis.
- Other typical application submittals include a professional resume, letters of recommendation, and a statement of academic and professional goals.
What is a capstone project? Is it different from a dissertation?
In general terms, a capstone project is an interdisciplinary experience in which the student applies knowledge and skills gained in their degree studies to a specific, program-approved real-world problem or issue. In the case of a DPA program, the project might address an issue currently experienced by the student’s employer or related to their chosen specialization. The project typically results in the writing of a report that sets out the issue, reviews existing research, and offers one or more solutions. This differs from a dissertation, which typically involves conducting original research, then writing and defending a report designed to add to the body of academic knowledge.
DPA programs typically require a capstone or a dissertation; thoroughly research your program’s requirements to learn which option is available to you.
How much does an online DPA cost?
The price tag for earning your doctorate in public administration can vary substantially depending on the program you choose, as indicated by the current tuition costs for the five online DPA programs listed in the chart below. Keep in mind the availability of scholarships designed for public service students as well as loan forgiveness to help offset some costs associated with your degree.
Public colleges and universities are where you’re likely to find the most affordable online DPA options. Don’t let that keep you from considering a private school program, though. Many private programs offer generous financial aid packages to DPA students that make them highly competitive with public programs. Be sure to contact the school’s financial aid office to see what funding support is available.
What type of accreditation should I look for?
Proper accreditation is critical to ensuring that your online DPA program meets standards of academic quality. It’s also a requirement for most of the financial aid opportunities available to help you pay for your degree. There are two basic types of accreditations related to postsecondary degree programs: institutional and programmatic. Institutional accreditation concerns academic quality of a school as a whole. Institutional accreditation of U.S colleges and universities is administered by independent accrediting agencies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Programmatic accreditation has to do with the vetting of degree programs in a particular discipline. It is typically handled by professional associations representing that specific discipline. An online DPA program offered through a school’s business department, for example, may be programmatically accredited through the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. However, there are currently no professional associations that specifically accredit DPA programs in the United States. The Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA) accredits master’s-level programs and is currently surveying DPA and PhD programs to learn how to better serve them.
You can check DPA program institutional and programmatic status by using this Department of Education search engine.
Can I specialize when earning my DPA online?
The short answer is yes, you absolutely can specialize your DPA studies to focus on one (or more) areas of practice within the larger public administration field. But the ability to do so will depend heavily on the particular online DPA program you choose. Some programs offer specialization or concentration options, while others allow you to tailor your studies through your choice of elective courses. Still other programs offer a more generalized approach without specialization. Here are six common specializations you may find through your DPA research.
Online Public Administration Doctorate Specializations
As briefly mentioned in the FAQ section above, public administration doctorate programs often allow students to select a specialization track based on their interests and career goals. Specializations can help you prepare for specific careers, for example, if you want to go into urban planning, a specialization in urban and regional planning would give you the skills necessary to become a leader in the field. We have listed and detailed five common specializations that students pursue below.
Public Policy Analysis and Evaluation
Students in this specialization explore the means and methods for identifying, evaluating, and determining the consequences of public policies in all areas and levels (local, state, regional, national) of the public sector.
Public Management and Leadership
This specialization prepares graduates to fill top management positions in the public sector through the development of skills in human resources, finances, organizational structure, strategic planning, ethics, and more.
Nonprofit Management
This specialization is like public management and leadership, except with a specific focus on the unique issues and challenges encountered in the administration and management of nonprofit organizations.
Public Finance and Budgeting
In this specialization, students develop skills in the effective management of public sector funds. Specific topics include budget creation and implementation, the use of financial methods and tools, asset management, business ethics, and more.
Urban and Regional Planning
Students opting for this specialization are introduced to the theories and practices associated with the strategic development and use of public lands and physical facilities in cities, metro areas, counties, and other public jurisdictions.
Building a Career with Your Public Administration Doctorate
In most cases, those who pursue a DPA intend to enter a career that allows them to work for government at all levels. Some of those careers include budget analyst, public affairs officer, and urban planners. However, there are more career paths to take with a public administration degree than the three detailed below.
Budget Analyst
Budget analysts are responsible for managing the budgets of governments, corporations, or non-profits according to set procedures and regulations. They provide counsel on fiscal allocation and budget preparation. Using various accounting and financial analysis software, they compile and analyze accounting records to delineate financial resources. The median annual pay as of 2023 was $84,940 and the projected growth rate is three to five percent.
Public Affairs Officer
Public affairs directors are responsible for ensuring that their organization or agency has a positive public perception. In order to do this, public affairs directors grant interviews to reporters, write press releases, and participate in fundraising events. People in this profession make around $66,750, as of 2023, and the career is projected to grow by 6 percent.
Urban and Regional Planners
Urban and regional planners plan and manage programs for the use of land and physical facilities in cities and counties. They regularly interact with government officials, developers, and the public regarding land use and ownership. In this position you will be responsible for assessing the feasibility of development plans and staying current on zoning laws, building codes, and environmental regulations. As of May 2023, the median annual pay was $81,800 per year and the employment rate is projected to increase by four percent, which is the average growth rate for most professions.
Evaluating the Top Public Administration Doctorates Offered Online
When searching for an online DPA program, it is vital to select one that aligns with your academic and professional objectives. To assist with this process, we have assessed data from the Integrated Postsecondary Education System (IPEDS) and ranked the top online DPA programs in the country. We considered factors such as affordability, student services, and the availability of online classes. To learn more about our ranking methodology, visit the “About the Rankings” pop-up below.
California Baptist University
Riverside, California
Private
