Doctorate Of Public Administration (DBA) Online Degree Program
0
Credit Hours
Degree SACSCOC
SACSCOC
Class Type
100% online, 8-week courses
Transfer Credits
Transfer in up to 50% of the degree total
Next Start Date
May 13, 2024
Accreditation
Liberty University is accredited by SACSCOC

Bring About Lasting Change in Your Community with a Doctor of Public Administration Online (DPA) Program

Are you excited about the idea of transforming communities into better environments for their citizens — from the local to the national level? Do you enjoy implementing efficient government processes and procedures? Maybe you’re currently an educator or a civil servant who wants to make a difference in government for the betterment of society. Liberty University’s Doctor of Public Administration program is an excellent option that can give you the training you need to make the difference you want to in public and private policy and administration.

Throughout this degree, you’ll explore the administrative functions of governmental agencies and you can gain experience in strategic planning, program implementation, advanced management techniques, and results-based leadership. You could also take on positions in higher education as an administrator or professor or have the option of working as a civil servant, politician, consultant, or grants writer.

It is the work of administrators, civil servants, and public officials that makes the government work, and society benefits when professionals like you get involved and influence the laws and policies that affect daily life.

As a pioneer in distance education since 1985, we understand what you’re looking for in an online degree program. You want to earn a degree that can help you command respect among peers, hiring managers, and various entities — one backed by a brick-and-mortar campus and an esteemed accrediting partner. At Liberty, you can have confidence in our decades-long commitment to uncompromised excellence. 

Online PhD in Public Administration vs. Doctor of Public Administration

The difference between a public administration PhD and a Doctor of Public Administration lies in the emphasis of each degree. PhD programs are typically more theoretical in nature than practical. PhD candidates are often attracted to careers in research and academia. If this sounds like you, our 100% online PhD in Public Administration may be the best fit for you!

On the other hand, the Doctor of Public Administration is primarily designed for practical application. This degree program can help you gain an advanced understanding of various corporate and political theories and teach you how to apply such theories to a number of real-world situations. 


Why Choose Liberty’s Doctor of Public Administration (DPA) Online Degree?

Choosing where to pursue your doctoral degree is an important decision. When you choose to pursue your doctorate through Liberty University, you’re choosing a well-respected, accredited, globally recognized university. You’re also choosing flexible course scheduling and academic excellence that is grounded in Christian principles and values.

Liberty University is accredited through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). This means all of our degree programs have met rigorous academic standards and requirements. You can be confident that you’re receiving a challenging and worthwhile degree.

This degree can be completed 100% online with no set login times. We understand that you can’t afford to put your life on hold to pursue a doctoral degree, which is why at Liberty, you can stay committed to both your family’s success and your professional success while pursuing your academic and professional goals.

doctor of public administration online

 

In addition, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports a correlation between education level and personal earnings. According to the Bureau, professionals with a doctoral degree earned a median weekly wage of $2,083 in 2022 — which is over 25% more than the median weekly earnings for professionals whose highest level of educational attainment is a master’s degree.* Our Doctor of Public Administration isn’t just designed to help you become a more respected expert in your field. It can also help you unlock your full earning potential.

*Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, at Education Pays: Earnings and unemployment rates by educational attainment (viewed online Nov. 29, 2023). Cited projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee actual job growth.

Military Tuition Discount

We want to help you find the doctoral degree you want — at a price you’ve earned. As a thank-you for your military service, Liberty University offers eligible current and former service members like you or your spouse multiple pathways to earn a doctoral degree for only $300/credit hour. Find out how you can take advantage of this unique opportunity as you work towards your goal of reaching the pinnacle of your profession — for less.


What Will You Learn in Our Doctor of Public Administration Online (DPA) Degree?

Our doctorate in public administration is designed to train you in leadership, management, and problem-solving skills in government and governance. Throughout this degree, you can learn how to create change in government, nonprofits, and other policy-creating organizations. You can also develop a thorough knowledge of the legal, ethical, and political environments of public administration.

The training you receive in this online DPA degree can help you to:

  • Build an uncompromising code of personal ethics rooted in a Biblical worldview
  • Conduct independent research that contributes to the public administration field
  • Construct innovative change proposals to policies that address public needs and problems
  • Synthesize a Christian model of statesmanship that incorporates a biblical worldview in public administration

Our doctorate degree in public administration is divided into 3 sections: core public administration courses, research-focused courses, and a capstone sequence. In the public administration doctorate’s core courses, you will study public administration ethics, statesmanship, and governance; finance and budgeting in the public sector, the legal and regulatory aspects of public administration, and urban planning. You will also study information management, organizational leadership studies, statesmanship, and federalism. 

The research section of our online doctoral program in public administration consists of just 3 courses: quantitative research, qualitative research, and research methods. These courses are designed to help equip you with high-level research skills that are necessary for success in your capstone project: which is the next and final part of our Doctor of Public Administration. 

Our doctorate in public administration online’s capstone consists of 4 sequential courses. In these courses, you will be challenged to recall and apply the lessons you learned in the core and research courses as you analyze a real-world issue and present a solution.

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Highlights
Degree Information
Careers
Admission Requirements

Highlights of Our Doctor of Public Administration (DPA) Online Degree

  • We are recognized by multiple institutions for our academic quality, affordability, and accessibility. Our commitment to excellence also helped us rank in the top 10% of Niche.com’s best online schools in America. Earning your online degree from a nonprofit university with this kind of recognition can help set you apart from others in your field.

  • Your success is our success, which is why we are committed to providing quality academics at an affordable tuition rate. While other colleges are increasing their tuition, we have frozen tuition rates for the majority of our undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs for the past 9 years – and counting.

  • Liberty University is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

  • The Doctor of Public Administration is mostly offered in 8-week courses, with 8 different start dates each year and no set login times.

  • Our online doctorate in public administration is taught by expert professors with years of experience in the fields of public policy and administration.

  • You can complete our Doctor of Public Administration (DPA) online in as little as 2.5 years.

Doctor of Public Administration (DPA) Online Degree Information

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Potential Career Opportunities for Doctor of Public Administration (DPA) Online Graduates

  • Academic program director
  • Budget analyst
  • City manager
  • Civil rights specialist
  • Elected official
  • Foundation program officer
  • Grants writer/administrator
  • Higher education administration
  • Legislative aide
  • Lobbyist
  • Management consultant
  • Nonprofit manager/leader
  • Policy analyst
  • Professional researcher
  • Public affairs officer
  • Public agency manager
  • Research scientist
  • Sustainability consultant
  • Teacher/professor
  • Urban planner

Admission Requirements for the Doctor of Public Administration (DPA) Online Degree Program

A regionally or nationally accredited master’s degree with a 3.0 or above GPA is required for admission in good standing. Please visit our admission requirements page for more detailed admissions-related information.

All applicants must submit the following:

  • Admission application
  • Application fee*
  • Official college transcripts
  • Proof of English proficiency (for applicants whose native language is other than English)

*There is no upfront application fee; however, a deferred $50 application fee will be assessed during Financial Check-In. This fee is waived for qualifying service members, veterans, and military spouses – documentation verifying military status is required.