Public administration’s academic doctoral program has long prepared students for careers in research and teaching.

Admission to the program requires the M.P.A. or a related master’s degree. The Ph.D. program admits only a few new students each year, and approximately 25 doctoral students are in residence at a given time. Entry is only in the fall semester.

This interdisciplinary program requires a minimum of 72 credits of coursework, including as many as 36 credits earned in completion of a master’s degree, plus 9 credits for the dissertation. Coursework is required in intellectual history and theory of public administration, public organization theory and research, research design and methods, and two fields of specialization. An additional research seminar, with students and faculty members participating, is taken in the second year.

Fields of specialization vary from year to year but usually include public finance and budgeting, organization theory and public management, non-profit studies, environmental and natural resources policy, technology and information policy, comparative administration, and social policy (health, education, and social welfare). Students may also develop a field to meet their interests.

Integral to the program is the research apprenticeship that every Ph.D. student serves with a faculty mentor. Participation in SU’s teaching assistant training program is also required before the start of the initial fall semester. All admitted Ph.D. applicants not funded by outside sources are awarded at least a research assistantship, renewable for two additional years.

GRE scores are required. TOEFL scores are required of all international applicants whose native language is not English. Review of Ph.D. applications begins in early February. All documents should be filed by early January, with considerable care devoted to defining doctoral objectives and field interests in the personal statement. Incomplete applications are not reviewed by the admissions committee. It is the applicant’s responsibility to be sure all documents are submitted on time. Applicants whose credentials meet the department’s basic academic criteria are invited to meet with members of the Ph.D. committee.

Selected Student Research Topics

• The effects of schooling on literacy skills

• Health outcome disparities associated with access to primary care for vulnerable groups

• Managing for results in the U.S. state governments

• Legislation, administrative change, and service provision in South African municipalities

Public Administration contact:  

Douglas Wolf, Director, Ph.D. Program
Department of Public Administration
215 Eggers Hall
Syracuse University
Syracuse NY 13244-1090
USA

Telephone 315-443-4000
Fax 315-443-9721