The School of Public Administration at Florida Atlantic University offers a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Public Administration with concentrations in Administrative Theory & Inquiry; Public Policy Studies, Organizational Studies, and Public Budgeting and Financial Administration. Also, students are allowed to assemble concentrations of their own devising. This doctoral program, while primarily designed to qualify students in research, university teaching and consultation, can accommodate a broad array of career goals and options.

Admission Requirements

Admission into the Ph.D. program will be granted to students of superior ability who have demonstrated a record of previous academic success, good potential for continued success in doctoral studies, and a desire to prepare for a career in which scholarship and research are major elements.

Normally an applicant must have earned a master’s degree and must also take these courses if they have not already taken the equivalents elsewhere.

• Introduction to Public Administration
• Public Policy
• Organization Behavior or Structure
• Public Budgeting or Finance

In special situations, students with a bachelor’s degree may be admitted into the doctoral program.  In such cases, the applicant must complete the above four courses plus quantitative methods at the graduate level.

Applicants should have a minimum graduate grade point average (GPA) of 3.25 or higher, a combined score of at least 1000 on the verbal and quantitative portions of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), and a minimum score of 4.5 on the analytical writing section. Official GRE scores must be submitted and an online application form completed. Transcripts and GRE scores should be sent directly to the Graduate College.

In addition to transcripts and GRE scores, the Ph.D. Admissions Committee will need:    

• Three letters of recommendation (especially from academic sources);
• Resume
• Two samples of academic writing
• Statement of intent and interests

These materials should be sent directly to:

Ph.D. Coordinator,
School of Public Administration
Florida Atlantic University
111 East Las Olas Blvd.
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301

For help with the application process, please e-mail Mr. Fabio Rojas, academic adviser at frojas4@fau.edu or phone him at 954-236-1003.

Program Information

• Competitive stipends are available at $12,000 - $16,000 plus 80% - 100% tuition reimbursement
• Application deadlines are November 1st and April 1st of each year for domestic students, and February 15th and August 15th for international students.
• Excellent placement record in faculty, research, and executive positions upon graduation.
• The program is composed or 45 instructional credits and 18 dissertation research credits.
• Candidates must pass exams in three of the four concentration areas.
• Candidates must successfully complete and defend a qualifying paper.
• Candidates are expected to participate in professional practica, colloquia, attend dissertation defenses and conferences and participate in collegial activities.

Helpful links

• Advanced Schedule (Fall 2009 - Spring 2014)
• Policy on Appeal of Dismissal
• Policy Manual
• Graduate School Application
• Course Descriptions

Transfer Credits

Acceptance of transfer credits from approved institutions is dependent on the pertinence of the work to the Ph.D. program. Transfer of credits should occur at the time of admission and is limited to six semester credits subject to the following restrictions:

1. Grades on all transfer credits must be a minimum of "B" (3.0 in a 4.0 grading system).
2. No graduate credit will be allowed for correspondence or extension work.

Credit Duplication

No credit used for another degree or may be counted toward the Ph,D, degree.

Time Limitations

Candidates for the Ph.D. degree must complete all work within a seven-consecutive-year period after initial registration in the graduate program.

Dismissal

Students may be dismissed from this degree program at any time for cause. Decision rule is majority vote of the SPA faculty.

Students may appeal such dismissal by sending a letter, with supporting documentation, to the Director of the School, who will place it on the agenda of the next faculty meeting provided the letter is received at least four days in advance.

Academic Standing

Continuation in the graduate program requires satisfactory progress toward the graduate degree. Evidence of such progress includes maintenance of a 3.25 cumulative average throughout the course of academic study. In addition, only grades of A, A-, B+, and B are acceptable in fulfilling graduate school requirements in the Ph.D. plan of study.

Students who do not maintain the required 3.25 cumulative GPA will be placed on academic probation in the semester immediately following the semester in which the cumulative GPA drops below 3.25. Failure to regain a 3.25 cumulative average within two successive semesters following the semester in which the deficiency first occurred can result in dismissal. The faculty of the School of Public Administration reserves the right to dismiss any student at any time when in its judgment the student is not making satisfactory progress toward completion of the degree.

Faculty and the Students
Ph.D students work closely with distinguished professors, including:

Students in the Ph.D. program are diverse. Each semester there is a sizable full-time contingent; several part-time, mature professionals; and a healthy mix of students by age, gender, and nationality. The students are closely guided through diversified dissertations by a faculty.

Some recent dissertation titles include:

You many contact Professor Hugh T. Miller, Ph.D. Coordinator by e-mail at spa@fau.edu, or by telephone at 954-762-5650.