Admission Requirements

Prerequisites

Applicants should possess a master’s degree, ideally in Public Administration or a closely related field. Applicants must also have a minimum of five years of work experience.

Admission

Applicants are evaluated in a two stage process: First stage applicants are initially screened based on undergraduate GPA, graduate GPA, Statement of Purpose and letters of recommendation. Applicants advancing to the second stage may be required to schedule a personal interview. A standardized test score (e.g. GMAT or GRE) may be required, if recommended by the Faculty Admissions Committee. The department considers all of these measures in making a decision on admission.

Students accepted into the DPA program will begin their coursework in the fall.

The program requires a minimum time commitment of three years of coursework (which includes nine units each semester) and at least an additional year to produce and defend a dissertation of publishable quality (which includes 1 unit each semester). Additional semesters (two units each) beyond the fourth year may be needed to complete the dissertation.

Students must also take and pass the DPA Comprehensive Exams (after successfully completing all coursework for year two).