DPA: Doctor of Public Administration

DPA 700. Doctoral Seminar in Public Policy and Administration. 3 Credits.

The doctoral seminar explores the development of the doctorate of public administration. Issues of effective leadership, and the knowledge and theory application in the practice of public policy and administration are explored. The seminar serves as an introduction to applied doctoral studies and doctoral-level scholarship in public policy and administration.
Distance education offering may be available.
Typically offered in Fall & Spring.

DPA 701. Advanced Practice and Applied Theories of Public Policy and Administration. 3 Credits.

This course engages students in an advanced examination of the scope and theory of public administration. Emphasis is placed on how the evolution and diversification of public policy and administration theory has impacted practice.
Distance education offering may be available.
Typically offered in Fall & Spring.

DPA 702. Strategic Public Sector Management and Governance. 3 Credits.

This course focuses on the key internal and external factors that drive strategic management and governance within the public sector. Issues related to the management of human capital in cooperation, collaboration, strategic planning, and performance measurement within and among organizations are explored.
Distance education offering may be available.
Typically offered in Fall.

DPA 703. Advanced Public Sector Economic and Financial Decision Making. 3 Credits.

This course trains students on the use of economic and financial management tools and theories to evaluate the impact of public policies and fiscal decisions. Emphasis is placed on the application of economic and budget theory to financial decision making in the fields of public administration, and policy. Particular attention is paid to economic and budgetary functions, including: control, management, planning, policy, and collaboration.
Distance education offering may be available.
Typically offered in Spring.

DPA 704. Advocacy and Leadership in Public Policy and Administration. 3 Credits.

This course highlights the unique role public administrators play in the formation and implementation of public policy. Students are trained in strategies and skills to influence public policy decision-making to maximize policy outcomes for the communities and individuals they serve.
Distance education offering may be available.
Typically offered in Fall & Spring.

DPA 705. Research Design for Program and Policy Evaluation. 3 Credits.

This course covers proper design of empirical research. While research design is discussed broadly, an emphasis is placed on common quantitative and qualitative designs used by public sector practitioners. Topics covered in the course include issues related to proper measurement, sampling, and data collection. Students will learn to track program and policy outcomes and establish causation.
Distance education offering may be available.
Typically offered in Fall & Spring.

DPA 706. Quantitative Methods of Program and Policy Evaluation. 3 Credits.

This course introduces statistical theories and techniques commonly used by public sector managers in policy analysis and program evaluation. Topics include probability theory, statistical inference, and advanced statistical techniques such as multivariate regression, regression with limited dependent variables, and time-series analysis.
Pre / Co requisites: DPA 706 requires a prerequisite of DPA 705.
Distance education offering may be available.
Typically offered in Spring.

DPA 707. Qualitative Research Methods. 3 Credits.

This course prepares students to properly design and implement qualitative research techniques. This course will provide students will a broad overview of qualitative and interpretive methods and will require practical experience in some qualitative methods of data collection. Topics include case studies, interviews, focus groups, participant observation, ethnography, and document analysis.
Pre / Co requisites: DPA 707 requires a prerequisite of DPA 705.
Distance education offering may be available.
Typically offered in Fall.

DPA 710. Advanced Topics in Public Policy and Administration. 3 Credits.

Advanced select topics in public administration current to the interests and needs of students.
Typically offered in Fall, Spring & Summer.
Repeatable for Credit.

DPA 711. Independent Study in Public Policy and Administration. 3 Credits.

Independent study of research projects, reports, and readings in public policy and administration.
Distance education offering may be available.
Typically offered in Fall, Spring, Summer, Winter.
Repeatable for Credit.

DPA 801. Dissertation Seminar I: Research Questions and Framing the Literature. 3 Credits.

The DPA Dissertation Seminar is a series of four courses whereby students demonstrate mastery of required competencies through the completion of a final culminating independent applied research project. This is the first in a series of four courses designed to guide and support students in the identification of research questions and tracing the relevant literature.
Pre / Co requisites: DPA 801 requires prerequisites of DPA 700, DPA 701, DPA 702, DPA 703, DPA 704, DPA 705, DPA 706, and DPA 707.
Distance education offering may be available.
Typically offered in Fall, Spring & Summer.

DPA 802. Dissertation Seminar II: Data and Measurements. 3 Credits.

The DPA Dissertation Seminar is a series of four courses whereby students demonstrate mastery of required competencies through the completion of a final culminating independent applied research project. This is the second in a series of four courses designed to guide and support students in the identification and collection of data and the formulation of appropriation measurement techniques.
Pre / Co requisites: DPA 802 requires prerequisites of DPA 700, DPA 701, DPA 702, DPA 703, DPA 704, DPA 705, DPA 706, and DPA 707, and a prerequisite or corequisite of DPA 801.
Distance education offering may be available.
Typically offered in Fall, Spring & Summer.

DPA 803. Dissertation Seminar III: Quantitative and Qualitative Analysis. 3 Credits.

The DPA Dissertation Seminar is a series of four courses whereby students demonstrate mastery of required competencies through the completion of a final culminating independent applied research project. This is the third in a series of four courses designed to guide and support students in the evaluation of data using quantitative and qualitative methods.
Distance education offering may be available.
Typically offered in Fall, Spring & Summer.

DPA 804. Dissertation Seminar IV: Recommendations and Conclusions. 3 Credits.

The DPA Dissertation Seminar is a series of four courses whereby students demonstrate mastery of required competencies through the completion of a final culminating independent applied research project. This is the fourth in a series of four courses designed to guide and support students in completing the Dissertation project by formulating recommendations and conclusions.
Distance education offering may be available.
Typically offered in Fall, Spring & Summer.