If you are working in public administration and are ready to advance your skills and knowledge with a doctoral degree, you likely have two main options to choose from: a Doctor of Public Administration (DPA) or a PhD in Public Administration. Although both are doctoral degrees in public administration, they differ greatly in terms of their scope, focus and length.
With a better understanding of the differences between a DPA vs. PhD in Public Administration, you may be better equipped to take the next step.
Understanding the Two Doctoral Degrees
The Doctor of Public Administration and PhD in Public Administration are both popular degrees for those who already have a master’s degree in a related field.
What Is a Doctor of Public Administration (DPA)?
Specifically, the DPA is an advanced degree that is designed to prepare working professionals for public service and leadership roles. At Keiser University, our DPA program consists of 44 credit hours and can be completed within 24–36 months.
What Is a PhD in Public Administration?
A PhD in Public Administration is a research-focused degree that centers more on theoretical development and continuing scholarly research in the field. Most PhD programs consist of anywhere from 60 to 90 credits (including a dissertation) and may take anywhere from four to seven years to complete.
Who Each Degree Is Designed For
When comparing public administration degrees online, it is important to note that a PhD and a DPA are designed for two different types of professionals.
Ideal Candidates for a DPA
Generally, a DPA is best for public and nonprofit professionals who want to become “pracademics,” or practice the real-world application of public administration theories and concepts to solve actual public sector problems.
Ideal Candidates for a PhD in Public Administration
A PhD in Public Administration, on the other hand, is better suited for those who want to pivot into the academic, research and/or policy side of the field with a focus on theoretical understanding and more abstract conceptual frameworks.
Key Differences Between a DPA and a PhD in Public Administration
With the general distinction of what a DPA and a PhD in Public Administration entail (and who these degrees are designed for), we can dive a little deeper into the differences between them. These include differences in terms of overall purpose and scope, curriculum focus, time commitment and career pathways.
Purpose & Orientation
A DPA is an applied degree that is highly practice-oriented and aimed at solving immediate problems within public service organizations. By contrast, a PhD is theoretical and research-driven in nature, focusing more on contributing to scholarly knowledge than applying concepts directly to public service work.
Curriculum Focus
The curriculum of a DPA can also vary greatly from that of a PhD in Public Administration. Specifically, a DPA includes coursework that centers on topics such as:
- Leadership and Change Management in Public Administration
- Public Policy Analysis and Program Evaluation
- Multi-Sector Governance and Intergovernmental Relations
- Advanced Foundations and Applied Theories of Public Policy & Administration
By contrast, coursework in a PhD program focuses on academic and research topics that include:
- Research design
- Theory development
- Advanced qualitative and quantitative methods
Dissertation vs. Applied Doctoral Project
While both DPA and PhD programs typically culminate in a major project where students demonstrate their newfound knowledge, the type of project can differ. In a DPA, for example, students may be expected to complete an Applied Doctoral Project, capstone or evidence-based solution that translates program coursework to a real-world scenario.
In a PhD program, meanwhile, students may be asked to complete an original dissertation that contributes new knowledge to the academic field.
Time Commitment & Flexibility
From a planning perspective, the amount of time needed to complete a PhD versus a DPA can differ significantly. Typically, a DPA is designed for working professionals, offering flexible scheduling and (in some cases) 100% online format options.
In contrast, a PhD in Public Administration tends to be more time-intensive with full-time study or even residency requirements.
Professional vs. Academic Pathways
Finally, a DPA and PhD in Public Administration can differ in terms of future career opportunities. Those who earn a DPA often go on to work (or advance their existing work) in local or national agencies, nonprofits and leadership roles. In addition, graduates can still teach with a DPA; however, the more “traditional” way is to pursue a PhD. This is dependent on the academic institution and faculty teaching preferences in terms of a professor who prefers “pracademics” or pure academics.
PhD graduates, however, may be better suited for academic research roles, jobs in higher education or positions in policy think tanks.
Which Degree Is Right for a Working Professional?
The public administration degree that is best suited for working professionals depends on many factors, including where a person is in their career and their long-term aspirations.
Why a DPA Is Often the Best Fit for Mid-Career Practitioners
For many mid- to senior-level public administration practitioners, a DPA is a suitable option because it focuses on the real-world application of public policy concepts and solutions to solve actual public sector problems in government, law enforcement, education, healthcare and beyond. This applied emphasis allows professionals to immediately connect coursework and research to the challenges they encounter in their current roles.
When a PhD May Still Be the Better Option
For mid-level public sector professionals who are interested in making a career shift away from practice toward research/academia, a PhD may be a more suitable choice. Due to the emphasis on theory development, advanced research methodologies, and scholarly publication, these programs align more closely with academic and research-focused career paths.
Career Outcomes: Practice vs. Professorship
While a degree may not guarantee you a specific job in public administration, there are some common career outcomes associated with a DPA vs. PhD in Public Administration.
DPA Outcomes: The Executive Track
Graduates may pursue executive, policy, and performance leadership roles, including agency and department directors, policy and intergovernmental affairs leaders, budget and evaluation executives, and nonprofit or quasi-public executive directors. Some potential roles include:
- Director of public health
- Emergency management director
- Public administration consultant
- Executive director
- Government executive leadership
- Public policy and governance
- Public policy and governance
- Budget, performance, and analytics
- Budget Director / Public Finance Director
- Public safety, resilience, and risk
PhD Outcomes: The Academic Track
On the academic side of things, a PhD in Public Administration could be an excellent path for students seeking full-time residency or faculty funding/stipends to conduct further research. These professionals may teach public administration classes at the college level while performing their own independent research that contributes to a growing body of knowledge.
Questions to Ask Yourself Before Deciding
Still not sure whether a DPA or PhD in Public Administration is the right path for you? Here are a few practical questions you can ask yourself as you weigh your options.
Do I Want to Stay in Practice or Transition into Academia?
For starters, consider your current role in the field. Do you enjoy practicing public policy, or are you interested in making a pivot into academia? If you are more interested in the research and policymaking side of the field, then you may be better suited for a PhD. However, if you plan to stay in practice, then a DPA may be the better choice.
Am I Seeking Leadership Advancement or Research Specialization?
If you are already working in public policy but want to step into a higher-level leadership role, then a DPA could help you build the leadership and related skills needed for this type of advancement. On the flip side, if you are more interested in transitioning into a specialized research role, then the research and theoretical focus of a PhD may be better suited to your goals.
Do I Need a Flexible, Part-Time Format?
Consider how much time you have to dedicate to an advanced degree program. If you plan to continue working and need a degree option that offers a flexible, part-time or even online format, then a DPA may be the better choice. A PhD in Public Administration often has more stringent and time-intensive requirements that may include full-time study or even residency components.
Do I Want to Apply Research Directly to Professional Challenges, or Develop New Theories?
Another important question to ask yourself is whether you are looking to apply what you learn directly to your public policy work or wish to contribute to the field with your own research and theory of development. If you choose the former, then a DPA may be a more practical choice.
Which Degree Best Aligns with My Long-Term Career Goals?
Finally, take some time to envision where you see yourself in public administration. Don’t just think about a year or two down the road — think about your ambitions five or even ten years from now. Which degree best aligns with those long-term goals?
Choose Your Ideal Program at Keiser University
As you can see, a DPA and a PhD in Public Administration are suited to two related but different career trajectories. Ultimately, if you are looking to sharpen your own understanding of the public sector while influencing policy and management decisions, a DPA can help you bring evidence directly into your everyday practice.
At Keiser University, our Doctor of Public Administration program is designed to empower working professionals to lead transformative changes in advanced public service and leadership roles. And with the flexible format of our online degrees, you can pursue your degree without hitting “pause” on your career.
Reach out to request more information about our DPA, Keiser’s unique “student-first” philosophy or anything else you want to know about the experience. Eager to take the next step? You can start your online application for admission now.
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About the Contributing Author: Dr. Fred Turner. | |
| Dr. Fred Turner is the Graduate Chair of the Criminal Justice and Homeland Security programs at Keiser University’s Graduate School in Fort Lauderdale, FL. He holds a Ph.D. in Criminal Justice with a focus on Behavioral Science and a Doctor of Public Administration. With over 20 years of combined experience in academia, the military, and federal service, his research focuses on border security, transnational crime, and police militarization. | ||
| Author’s LinkedIn | Google Scholar Profile | |
After experiencing profound personal loss, Sydney Nau found her purpose in nursing. Today, she leads with compassion while advancing her education and transforming lives through patient-centered care.
