Doctor of Philosophy in PublicAdministrationThe mission of the Ph.D. program in PublicAdministration at Penn State Harrisburg isto provide advanced graduate education intheory and research in the field to preparestudents for academic, research, andadvanced professional careers. Establishedin 1989, the program has a long tradition ofproviding advanced education in publicadministration and policy.
Specialization areasIn consultation with the student’s adviserand doctoral committee, each doctoralstudent will develop a public administrationspecialization that consists of five 3-creditcourses. A students may select one of thespecialization areas in the following list, or,together with his/her committee, tailor aspecialization based on the student’sinterests and the availability of the coursesin the School of Public Affairs and othergraduate programs at Penn State.
Public and nonprofit managementOrganizations and human resourcemanagementPublic budgeting and financePublic policy analysisState and local governmentadministrationCriminal justiceHealth administrationHomeland security
777 West Harrisburg PikeMiddletown, PA 17057Phone: 717-948-6058Fax: 717-948-6320
ContactAdministrative Support AssistantJordyn [email protected]+1 717 948 6773
Professor-in-ChargeGöktuğ Morçöl, [email protected]+1 717 948 6126
Content reviewed and approved Wed Sep 13, 2017 12:14:36 pm
School of Public Affairs
School of Public Affairs
School of Public Affairs
School of Public Affairs
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School of Public Affairs
School of Public AffairsSchool of Public Affairs
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CurriculumA Ph.D. student must first successfullycomplete the prerequisite courses specifiedby the program to make up for deficiencies,if any exist. After these are completed, astudent must take a minimum of 42credits:
five 3-credit foundation coursesfour 3-credit research methods coursesfive 3-credit specialization area courses
All doctoral students must pass acandidacy examination, a comprehensivewritten and oral examination, and a finaloral examination (the dissertation defense).
To earn the Ph.D. degree, doctoralstudents must also write a dissertation thatis accepted by the doctoral committee andthe Graduate School.
CoursesPrerequisite Courses (may be waived)PADM 500 Public Organization and Management (orequivalent)Development of basic concepts and issues in publicadministration; administrative theory and public policyprocesses
PADM 507 Introduction to Public PolicyAnalysis (or equivalent)Introduction to the analysis of public policy within itsorganizational and political contexts, including anemphasis on an economic perspective.
Required Doctoral CoursesPADM 503 Research MethodsIntroduction to research methods relevant to publicadministration and public policy
PADM 570 Scope and Methods of PublicAdministrationSeminar on the history of public administration and itstheories
PADM 571 Seminar in Organizational TheorySeminar on selected theories of organizations and theirapplications to the study of public organizations
PADM 572 Research and Theory in PublicBudgeting and FinanceSeminar on the seminal theories and literature onbudgeting and financial administration
PADM 573 Research and Theory in Public Policyand GovernanceSeminar on the seminal theories of public policyprocesses and policy analysis
PADM 574 Research and Theory in PublicManagementSeminar on public management theories
PADM 575 Advanced Research DesignSeminar on research design issues in preparingdoctoral dissertations
Program Requirements forAdmissionRequirements More Information
Education Admission to the PhD program is based on the applicant'sacademic performance in the past and the compatibility ofhis/her background and interests with those of the programfaculty members.
All applicants must have completed a master’s degree in arelevant field: master of public administration, master of publicpolicy, or a master’s degree in criminal justice, homelandsecurity, health administration, political science, economics,sociology, anthropology, social work, or businessmanagement. Juris Doctorate degrees (law) will also beconsidered.
SupportingMaterials
Official scores from the Graduate Record Exam(GRE) —verbal, quantitative, and analytical—takenwithin the five years prior to the date of application
A resumé that includes work experience, volunteeractivities, academic and professional honors, honorarysocieties, extracurricular activities, offices held, anypublications, and other significant activities
A statement of goals and research interests, includingevidence of research aptitude and interest as well as “fit”with the faculty interests in the PhD program at thePennsylvania State University. The candidate shouldmake the case why this Ph.D. program would be a goodfit for him/her. There is no page or word limit for thisstatement, but it should be written clearly, coherently, andsuccinctly.
A writing sample that reflects the applicant’s backgroundin conducting academic research and his/her potential toconduct academic research in the future
At least three letters of recommendation, preferably fromfaculty members who can comment on the applicant'spotential as a doctoral student
Two official transcripts from each undergraduate degree-granting college or university and post-graduate collegeor university the applicant attended
Application DeadlineThere are two deadlines for applications for the fallsemester of the following academic year: January15 and March 15 . For those applicants seeking researchor teaching assistantships, the deadline to submit allapplication materials is January 15. Late applications maybe considered if assistantships are still available. Applicantswho wish to finance their education with their own funds orother sources (foreign governments that fund internationalstudents for PhD studies in the United States and otherfunding agencies, such as Fulbright commissions) areencouraged to submit their applications by January 15 ,but they may apply any time before March 15 .
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