From poverty to rising healthcare costs, political polarization to government unaccountability, holders of online doctorates in public administration are working to address the most pressing problems facing our world.
The academic field of public administration covers the management of public resources and organizations related to government. Through the study of strategic management, economic policy, budgeting and other core subjects, an online doctor public administration (DPA) prepares learners for public administration careers.
Graduates go on to work in all types of important positions, including nonprofit manager, legislative aide, political consultant and college professor, to name a few.
Online education has been rising in popularity for more than a decade, and students now have multiple options to pursue a public administration degree while staying close to home and even holding down a full-time job. This pathway might be available even if you haven’t seriously studied public administration before, as not all online DPA programs require applicants to hold degrees in public administration.
Read on to learn about the nonprofit, accredited U.S. universities offering online DPA programs.
Our Methodology
- Best Online Ph.D. in Public Administration Degree Options
- Featured Partners
- Should You Enroll in an Online Doctor of Public Administration Program?
- Accreditation for an Online Doctor of Public Administration
- How To Find the Right Online Doctor of Public Administration for You
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Earning an Online Doctor of Public Administration
Best Online Ph.D. in Public Administration Degree Options
Should You Enroll in an Online Doctor of Public Administration Program?
A DPA can lead to exciting and high-paying new career opportunities, but before you start gathering application materials, take some time to consider whether pursuing an online doctorate is the right move.
For one thing, ask yourself if online learning is best for you. Earning a doctorate takes time. The programs on this list can take up to seven years—a long time to commit to online education if you prefer to learn in a traditional classroom format.
The most successful online learners are typically self-starters who are well-organized and disciplined. So if you’re more successful with face-to-face learning and in-person support, an online degree might not suit your learning style.
Next, think about your lifestyle and schedule. Online learning is known for its flexibility, so if work and family commitments currently take up a lot of your time, online learning might be preferable to an on-campus education. Through asynchronous coursework, you can access course materials 24/7 and learn on your own schedule.
Finally, consider how much you want to spend. Online learning can be cheaper than an in-person education, especially if the institution is located in another state. This is because schools sometimes extend in-state tuition rates to all online students, even if they live out of state.
Accreditation for an Online Doctor of Public Administration
While researching degree programs, you should give plenty of thought to accreditation. Accrediting bodies endorse schools and programs that meet certain standards for student outcomes, financial management and other important metrics. There are two types of accreditation to consider, institutional and programmatic. Institutional accreditation concerns entire institutions, while programmatic refers to specific departments and degrees.
A degree from an unaccredited school might not be recognized by employers, other schools or credentialing bodies. Plus, students of unaccredited institutions don’t qualify for federal financial aid.
The Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs and Administration (NASPAA), a body that accredits public policy master’s degree programs, does not accredit doctoral programs. However, two schools on this list are NASPAA members: WCU and VSU, meaning they adhere to NASPAA’s standards at the master’s level.
Some DPA programs, such as WCU’s, fall within business departments and can therefore hold accreditation from a business-oriented programmatic accreditor. WCU’s program is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.
How To Find the Right Online Doctor of Public Administration for You
Consider Your Future Goals
People who earn online DPAs go on to work jobs in the public, private and nonprofit sectors. They oversee people and projects in city and county governments, state legislatures, health departments and military branches.
But each program on this list is different and offers unique opportunities. So, consider if you’d like to perform and present important research alongside established scholars; if so, you might seek a doctoral program with faculty who specialize in areas that align with your interests. If you already work in the public administration sector, you might prioritize programs geared toward current public administration professionals.
Understand Your Expenses and Financing Options
The cost of an online doctor of public administration varies widely, as indicated by the three programs on this list. Tuition rates range from $254 to $827 per credit, and programs require between 45 and 56 credits to complete. The cheapest option, Valdosta State University, costs less than $14,000, while the most expensive, California Baptist University, runs around $46,000.
To help fund tuition, schools offer aid in the form of scholarships, fellowships and assistantships. To locate federal student aid opportunities, including grants, scholarships and loans, fill out the FAFSA.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Earning an Online Doctor of Public Administration
How long does it take to get a doctor of public administration?
According to NASPAA, earning a DPA takes an average of five to six years, or potentially less if the student has already completed a master of public administration or a similar degree. VSU allows students up to 12 years to complete its DPA program—seven to complete the coursework and five to finish the dissertation. On the other end of the spectrum, students at CBU regularly complete the DPA program in three years.
What is the difference between a Ph.D. and a DPA?
Many DPA students already work in the field of public administration and are pursuing the credential to gain further career opportunities. DPA programs typically aim to train practitioners to work in the field, while Ph.D. programs focus more on academic scholarship. DPA graduates often become senior-level public executives, and people who graduate with a Ph.D. in public administration commonly become college professors and research directors.