• Universities Offering a Doctorate in Public Administration in Washington, DC
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Universities Offering a Doctorate in Public Administration in Washington, DC

There are two schools within 50 miles of Washington, D.C. that have doctorate in public administration programs. Read an overview of these two schools' programs, requirements and admission info and find out which school is the right one for you.

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Comparison of D.C. Schools with Doctorate Degree Programs in Public Administration

Of the two private universities on this list, The George Washington University has the largest student population. The school offers students a broad-ranging Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) program that covers many aspects of public policy and public administration. The other option is to attend American University, which also has a doctorate degree program in public administration. This degree program prepares students for careers in public policy research and teaching.

The George Washington University American University
Public Administration Ph.D. Degrees Offered Ph.D. in Public Policy and Administration Ph.D. in Public Administration
School Type 4-year; private; not-for-profit 4-year; private; not-for-profit
Total Enrollment (2011) 25,260* 12,724*
Campus Setting Large city Large city
Tuition & Fees $1,340 per credit (as of fall 2012)** $1,348 per credit (2011-12)***
% of First-Year Students Receiving Some Form of Financial Aid (2011) 73%* 80%*
Acceptance Rate (2011) 32%* 42%*
Retention Rate (2011) 94% for full time students* 90% for full time students*
Graduation Rate (2011) 81%* 77%*
Noteworthy Strong emphasis on research One-on-one interaction with faculty
Distance from Downtown (Driving) 1.5 mi. (8 min.) 5.3 mi. (16 min.)

Sources: *NCES College Navigator, **The George Washington University, ***American University

Degrees at The George Washington University

The Trachtenberg School of Public Policy and Public Administration at The George Washington University is a research-focused institute that connects students with international scholars and researchers who specialize in policy and administration. Students also learn about leadership and its role in developing policy for the public's benefit. About 25% of students come from outside the United States and many students are mid-level professionals who have experience in policy and administration. The graduate degree can be completed on a part-time or full-time basis.

Ph.D. in Public Policy and Public Administration

Students in this degree program will take numerous classes on research methods and statistics so that they can understand how research is used to set public policy. Within the degree program, students can take classes in specific disciplines that cover education policy, health policy, program evaluation, public budgeting and finance. These classes are meant to prepare students for leadership positions that promote democratic governance and help the public. By the end of the degree program, students need to pass examinations and complete a dissertation in order to receive the Ph.D.

Degrees at American University

Through weekly research seminars and one-on-one mentoring with faculty, the university's Department of Public Administration and Policy trains students on how to conduct research. Students have the opportunity to take part in research conferences and submit scholarly work to academic journals. In addition, students engage in professional development through workshops that cover grant writing and job hunting.

Ph.D. in Public Administration

The Ph.D. program is meant to give students the opportunity to specialize in their preferred areas of public administration. Students focus on public administration as their primary major, but also have the option of declaring a second major in law and society, public policy, American politics, justice or comparative politics. In addition to majors, students can minor in one of these five areas. There's also the option for students to study in environmental policy and nonprofit management. Throughout the degree program, students engage in public administration research to understand how research can be applied to policy development. All students take comprehensive examinations and submit research papers to earn their degrees.

Other Schools in the Area

There are no other schools in the District of Columbia area that offer doctorate degrees in public administration. However, students who want to earn master's degrees can check out Howard University, located about 3 miles outside of downtown Washington, D.C. or Trinity Washington University, which is about 4 miles away. The University of the District of Columbia is a public university about 5 miles away from downtown.

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  • University of Pennsylvania

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    • Pennsylvania campus Philadelphia
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  • George Mason University

    School locations:
    • Virginia campus Fairfax
    Areas of study you may find at George Mason University include:
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  • Howard University

    School locations:
    • Columbia (D.C.) campus Washington
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  • Iowa State University

    School locations:
    • Iowa campus Ames
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  • University of Michigan

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    • Michigan campus Ann Arbor
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  • Texas Tech University

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  • University of Washington

    School locations:
    • Washington campus Seattle
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  • Syracuse University

    School locations:
    • New York campus Syracuse
    Areas of study you may find at Syracuse University include:
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      • Undergraduate: Associate, Bachelor
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