Author: Adam Birch / Reviewed By: Melissa Anderson, MS.Ed. / First covered: August 2018 / Updates: 2
Key Takeaways:
- Our #1 ranked school for a quick online Ph.D. programs in Public Administration is Valdosta State University, followed by West Chester University.
- The programs typically allow completion within 36 months, faster than traditional Ph.D. programs, with some offering dual master’s/Ph.D. options.
- Graduates are prepared for diverse roles such as city manager, public policy research analyst, and university professor in public administration sectors.
In this ranking, we profile our picks for the best accelerated online PhD programs in Public Administration.
Featured Programs
A fast-track online Ph.D. in Public Administration might be the right choice for those interested in shaping policy or managing public programs. This guide highlights five programs that allow you to earn a Ph.D. in public administration online quickly. Many programs on this list offer completion times as short as three years, saving you time compared to traditional Ph.D. programs. Some schools even offer a dual degree that combines a Master of Public Administration (MPA) and a Ph.D. so that you can earn both a master’s in public administration and your doctorate in a streamlined path.
Graduates with a Ph.D. in Public Administration qualify for diverse careers, from city manager and finance officer to public policy analyst. Our ranking focuses on programs that provide strong foundations in academic research and practical skills for public service leadership, and all programs are ranked by affordability.
Reviewing Top Doctor of Public Administration Online Programs
#1. Valdosta State University
Online Doctor of Public Administration
Tuition: $4,572
Valdosta State’s fast online doctorate in public administration offers online students incredibly affordable tuition based on the school’s in-state rates. The entire program ends up costing less than one year in many programs.
Graduates from this program have found employment as assistant city managers, city managers, college professors, county executives, finance officers, human resources directors, city administrators, public policy analysts, public policy directors, and research analysts. If students take nine credits per semester, completing the degree will take approximately 36 months.
Pros:
- High acceptance rate
- Diverse student body
Cons:
- Low graduation rate
#2. West Chester University
Doctor of Public Administration Online
Tuition: $9,288
Students in West Chester’s online Doctor of Public Administration degree program can choose between public policy and administration concentrations, criminal justice, geography and planning, and graduate social work.
The program includes courses such as Advanced Practice and Applied Theories of Public Policy and Administration, Advanced Public Sector Economic and Financial Decision-making, Quantitative Methods of Program and Policy Evaluation, and Strategic Public Management and Governance.
Pros:
- Nationally ranked public school
- High acceptance rate
Cons:
- Larger class sizes
#3. California Baptist University
Doctor of Public Administration Online
Tuition: $14,184
California Baptist University’s fast online doctor of public administration degree can be completed in as few as 36 months. The 50-unit program offers its courses in an eight-week online format. Residency participation is required at key intervals throughout the program, but most of the program can be completed online.
The three-year completion time includes the time dedicated to completing your dissertation. Available courses include performance management and evaluation, collaboration and networked governance, ethics and social justice, and leadership in the public sector.
Pros:
- Top-rated regional university
- Diverse student body
Cons:
- Larger class sizes
#4. Capella University
Doctor of Public Administration Online
Tuition: $15,066
Program is no longer available
Capella University’s fast online doctor of public administration degree features 16 core courses, two residencies, and one capstone. The program can be completed in 36 months or less. You pay for what you take rather than bulk tuition each 10-week quarter.
Capella uses the quarter-credit system. The complete program is 74 quarter credits, which translates to roughly 51 semester credits in terms of workload.
Pros:
- Higher-than-average ROI
Cons:
- Low graduation rate
- Larger class sizes
#5. National University
Online Ph.D. in Business Administration-Public Administration
Tuition: $15,912
Students in the online public administration Ph.D. program at National University will conduct research on government and public agency budgeting, government relations, public personnel policy management, and political systems and urban planning.
The curriculum consists of 60 credit hours and can be completed in 45 months. This degree is currently offered online through the public administration concentration within the Ph.D. in business administration degree.
Pros:
- Diverse student body
Cons:
- Low graduation rate
What can I do with a fast online Ph.D. in Public Administration?
There are three general areas in which public administration Ph.D.s find work: academic settings where they teach and conduct research at universities, research positions in think tanks, and actual public administrative positions at the local, state, or federal level.
Those on the academic side contribute to research and instruct future public administrators. It’s common for these people to have several years or even decades of practical experience in public administration. Those in research at think tanks take a primary role in researching and developing new public policy.
Those in administrative positions around the country are responsible for implementing the policies, tracking the outcomes, and making adjustments based on what works and what doesn’t work for their area.
What is the career outlook for Public Administration Ph.D. holders?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job growth rate for computer and information research scientists is 23%. With 36,500 jobs in the current market, a projected growth of 8,300 jobs between 2022 and 2032. The median pay for computer and information research scientists is $136,620 annually.
How do I Finance My Online Public Administration Ph.D?
There are three main ways to finance an online public administration Ph.D. First, federal grants and loans. There tends to be less aid available from FAFSA for Ph.D. level programs, but it can be a great supplement to other sources. Another option is to teach at the university where you wish to earn your degree. It’s often free for faculty to earn degrees from the institution where they teach if they are full-time.
The third common option is to ask your employer about professional development benefits. Many employers are willing to invest in the growth of their employees and will compensate you in part or in full for degrees you earn to increase your value to the company.
Of course, the fourth option is to pay for the program out of pocket (of course, you only want to do this after you receive financial aid from FAFSA and if there are no other funding sources available to you).
Is online learning right for me?
Online learning is quite convenient for those who want/need to work full-time. Online course delivery is developing rapidly, and even though Ph.D. programs are offered rarely compared to other programs currently, they do exist and are becoming more common.
However, despite the convenience of an online public administration Ph.D., you should still ask yourself some questions before deciding to pursue it.
Are you the kind of person who can learn by watching videos? Would you be comfortable taking tests online? Can you handle not having any face-to-face interaction with your professors and fellow students? Are you highly self-motivated and disciplined? While online education is a powerful option, it’s not ideal for all students.
Online learning at the Ph.D. level can be a double-edged sword. Most Ph.D. programs, online or not, are self-driven, which actually makes them pretty suitable for the online format. On the other hand, many Ph.D. programs provide the benefit of close collaboration with your Ph.D. advisor.
So, it’s a good idea to ask the college about the relationship you can expect to have with your advisor in an online program. If you’re unsure you are suited to online learning, there are a lot of free online college courses available through services like Coursera at both undergraduate and graduate levels.
It might be a good idea to try out one of these free courses to see if the online format is a good fit before going in blind.
Sources
- Bureau of Labor Statistics
- National Center for Education Statistics
- FAFSA
- Highest Paying PhD
- PhD Human Resources Management Online
- Cheapest Online PhD in Finance
- Best MPA Concentrations
- Free Online Colleges
CVO Staff
This concludes our ranking of fast PhD public administration online degree programs.