Contacts

Associate Dean and Department Chair:
Leonard Lopoo, Ph.D.,
215 Eggers Hall
315-443-4000 
lmlopoo@syr.edu

Doctoral Program Director:
Emily Wiemers
215 Eggers Hall
315-443-4000 
eewiemer@syr.edu

Doctoral Records Coordinator:
Ken Dwyer
215 Eggers Hall
315-443-4000 
kdwyer@syr.edu

Description

The Ph.D. program is designed for full-time residential students who are interested in scholarly careers as researchers and teachers. All aspects of the program are focused on providing Ph.D. students’ high quality research and teaching experiences. The curriculum is designed to assure that all students:

• Gain substantial competency in the core subject matter and methodologies central to preparing for careers as public administration and policy scholars and researchers
• Obtain a firm understanding of the broad intellectual tradition of public administration and policy analysis
• Become active researchers beginning in their first year of the program

Accreditation

The Ph.D. in Public Administration is accredited by NASPAA (the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration)

Admission

Requirements for admission include an MPA or related graduate degree.

Up to 36 credits of previous graduate study may be used to satisfy the program requirements (39 credits for Maxwell MPA students).

Financial Support

Students admitted to the Ph.D. in Public Administration, not funded by outside sources, will be awarded a graduate assistantship for one year. This assistantship includes a stipend and a 24-credit graduate tuition scholarship that is renewable for three additional years if the student remains in good standing.

Degree Awarded

Ph.D. in Public Administration

Total Credits Required: 81

Transfer Credits

Up to 36 credits of previous graduate study may be used to satisfy the program requirements (39 credits for Maxwell MPA students).

Satisfactory Progress

Upon completion of required coursework and the research apprenticeship, comprehensive examinations are taken, followed by preparation of a dissertation that must be defended in an oral examination.

Student Learning Outcomes

1. Explain and apply theories of public sector organization and management and public policy, including both historical and current developments in theoretical and empirical research
2. Demonstrating understanding of issues in research design and measurement appropriate for designing and carrying out dissertation research
3. Apply theories and application of statistical model specification, estimation, and testing to academic research
4. Review and synthesize research literature in public organizations and public policy as well as two substantive fields of specialization
5. Design and carry out original research. Be able to produce, present to a peer audience, and submit for publication a manuscript based on the research

Ph.D. Requirements

Doctoral studies in Public Administration provide interdisciplinary study of public management and public policy analysis. PhD students complete 72 graduate course credits plus nine dissertation credits. Requirements for admission include an MPA or related master’s degree. Up to 36 credits earned in previous graduate study may be used to satisfy the program’s 72 course-credit requirement (39 credits for Maxwell MPA students). All students complete at least three credits in the foundations of public administration, three credits in the foundations of public policy analysis, nine credits in research methods, and 12 credits in two fields of specialization (six in each).

Fields of specialization currently offered are: public finance, budgeting and financial administration; organization theory and public management; development policy and administration; environmental and natural resource policy; and social policy.

Students have the option of substituting a field of their own design for one of the two required fields of specialization, subject to faculty approval. All PhD students in good standing serve as graduate assistants during the first two years of residence. Graduate assistants work with faculty on research projects and course related activities. Participation in the University’s Teaching Assistant Training Program is also required just prior to the start of the initial fall semester.

Upon completion of required coursework and the research apprenticeship, comprehensive examinations are taken, followed by preparation of a dissertation that must be defended in an oral examination.