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Online Doctor of Public Administration Program

Solve critical social problems—and make a tangible impact for your organization and constituents—with Walden’s DPA degree program.
Learn How You Can Save Time and Money on Your Degree

Fill out the form to speak with an enrollment specialist.

Please use our International Form if you live outside of the U.S.

  • Current Step 1: About You
  • Step 2: Contact Information
""

Online Doctor of Public Administration Program

Learn How You Can Save Time and Money on Your Degree

Fill out the form to speak with an enrollment specialist.

Please use our International Form if you live outside of the U.S.

  • Current Step 1: About You
  • Step 2: Contact Information
""
REAL-WORLD CASE STUDIES

Our DPA degree program is grounded in real-world experience and preparation. Add immediate value with skills relevant to advanced practice in public organizations, such as evidence-based decision-making.

3 MINUTE QUIZ

Build an Education Plan, Suited for You

Create and download your comprehensive plan with scholarships, financial aid, credit transfer, and more!

3 MINUTE QUIZ

Build an Education Plan, Suited for You

Create and download your comprehensive plan with scholarships, financial aid, credit transfer, and more!

Program Details

Gain Global Expertise

Through Walden’s online DPA coursework, you’ll explore the practice of public administration, management, and applied research in a global context.

 

CurriculumRequirementsCostTotal *
Tuition-Coursework53 quarter credits $685 per quarter hour for coursework credits$36,305^
Tuition-Doctoral Study/Project 20-120 quarter credits$685 per quarter hour for doctoral study/project credits$13,700–$82,200*
Program Fee $180 per quarter$2,160–$5,760*
Estimated Range:  

3-Year

8-Year

   

$52,165

$124,265*+

   (assuming completion in a 3-year timeframe)(assuming completion in an 8-year timeframe)

These are ranges of what a student can expect in terms of time and tuition cost to complete a degree. It does not include other fees, nor is it adjusted for tuition increases over time. Walden faculty has concluded that generally students who do not complete their program in eight years are unlikely to complete and only allow students to exceed that time frame when a student petitions for an extension and provides good reason for the delay and assurances that obstacles to completion can be overcome. Time is calculated using the time allowed for each semester or unit that the student completes. Students are encouraged to work continuously during the program so as not to extend the time needed to complete the degree as work can become stale and students lose focus. Students who earn two grades of “Unsatisfactory,” who repeatedly drop a course before a semester or unit has been completed, or are unable to complete in the eight year time frame, should expect that they may be dismissed from the program. Walden believes that it is in the best interest of a student who is unable to complete the degree in the stated ranges to strongly consider withdrawal or obtaining a lesser degree.

Time to completion and cost are not estimates of individual experience and will vary based on individual factors applicable to the student. Factors may be programmatic or academic such as tuition and fee increases and/or the student’s transfer credits accepted by Walden; program or specialization changes; unsuccessful course completion; credit load per term; writing, research and editing skills; use of external data for their doctoral study/dissertation; and/or individual progress in the program. Other factors may include personal issues such as the student’s employment obligations; care giving responsibilities or health issues; part-time vs. full-time enrollment; leaves of absence; and/or other personal circumstances.

Tuition and fees are subject to change. Books and materials are not included. Students may incur additional costs for remedial writing assistance, if necessary.

^This assumes students successfully complete their coursework on the first attempt.

Based on a 3-year minimum completion requirement and an 8-year maximum timeframe as outlined in Walden academic policy.

*Tuition and fees will be higher if students petition to extend the 8-year maximum timeframe or choose to take more expensive elective courses.

+Tuition and time to complete may be reduced if transfer credits are accepted, or if you receive grants, scholarships or other tuition discounts. For a personalized estimate of the number of your transfer credits that Walden would accept, call an Enrollment Specialist at 844-768-0109.

Program Outcomes

Grow as a Public Sector Leader

In our DPA degree program, you’ll learn to think and work like an executive. Gain focused insights into creating strategies for success in public administration and nonprofit leadership. Develop relevant skills you can apply in today’s public sector.

 

1Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics | Job outlook | Estimated wage (as of May 2023) 
2Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics | Job outlook | Estimated wage (as of May 2023 )

No guarantee is made that a person who enrolls in the Doctor of Public Administration online program will obtain a job or will earn the stated salaries. Wage estimates are based on the 10th–75th percentile.

Learning Outcomes

As a graduate of Walden’s online Doctor of Public Administration program, you will be prepared to:

Evaluate effective leadership/management principles (including theory, concepts, and practices) utilized in the public sector.

Evaluate solutions to practical problems in public administration using evidence-based practices and research.

Apply ethical concepts of public administration within organizations.

Apply culturally sensitive public administration research to meet the needs of diverse populations at local, state, national, and international levels of government.

Utilize analytic methods in making decisions related to public administration that contributes to positive social change.

Engage in scientific inquiry to advance practice in the field of public administration.

Meet Your Academic Team

Discover your potential under the guidance of distinguished faculty members, whose industry expertise transforms theory into actionable insight.

You Might Also Be Interested In 

Doctor of Public Administration FAQ

What is the difference in focus between a Doctor of Public Administration (DPA) and a PhD in Public Policy and Administration?

A DPA degree program is focused on developing advanced practitioners and researchers in pursuit of social change through public administration, criminal justice, and nonprofit management. If you have a mind for—and an interest in—research and data analysis, a DPA can help you learn how to use statistics and analytics to address real-world issues and problems. A PhD in Public Policy and Administration is a leadership-focused program designed to help you gain a detailed understanding of public policy theory, research, ethics, and practice in a global context. It’s the right degree if you want to take an academic approach to developing sustainable solutions that improve people’s quality of life.

Why should you choose an online Doctor of Public Administration program?

One of the greatest advantages of an online doctorate in public administration program is the flexibility you have in choosing when and where you complete your coursework. This allows you to continue working full time as you pursue your degree. Reputable online universities will also have expert faculty members and top-notch support teams to guide and assist you throughout your program.

What is a doctoral study?

As a doctoral student, you will learn research methods, plan and design your research, and present your findings in a scholarly paper called a doctoral study. The study’s purpose is to make an original contribution to your field by creating a practical solution to a real problem. In a doctoral study, you will identify a problem, present your methodology, describe your project, make observations about your findings, and present your practical solution. The doctoral study’s components demonstrate your competence in research and research design, your subject matter expertise, and your command of critical thinking and academic writing.

How do you complete the doctoral capstone for a DPA program?

Walden’s Doctor of Public Administration online program requires you to complete a doctoral capstone. The capstone consists of:

  • Creating a proposal for a doctoral study that describes the problem you want to solve; the purpose of the study; and your research questions, methodology, and design.
  • Presenting an oral defense of your research proposal to the doctoral committee (a 20-minute presentation followed by a question-and-answer session).
  • Collecting data and writing the findings.
  • Presenting a final oral defense of your research findings to the doctoral committee.
What qualities do effective public administrators demonstrate?

In addition to relevant skills, knowledge, and experience, the top qualities of a good public administrator include:

  • A desire to help others
  • An ability to think long-term
  • Plenty of patience
  • Collaboration
  • Strong ethics
  • A creative mind
  • A love of learning
Can I transfer credits to the Doctor of Public Administration program?

There are specific transfer credit requirements for graduate programs as well as additional program-specific transfer-of-credit criteria. For example, you must have earned credit:

  • Within 10 years of enrolling in your Walden program
  • With a posted score of a B (3.0 on a 4.0 scale) or higher
  • That aligns with applicable program or degree requirements

If you are interested in transferring credits to the Doctor of Public Administration program, please contact one of our Enrollment Specialists at 855-797-9416 so they can provide you with additional information and help you understand our transfer credit requirements, including program-specific requirements and restrictions.