Doctor of Public Administration (D.P.A.)

College of Business and Public Management
Doctoral Study
DPA 700Doctoral Seminar in Public Policy and Administration3
Administrative Core
DPA 701Advanced Practice and Applied Theories of Public Policy and Administration3
DPA 702Strategic Public Sector Management and Governance3
DPA 703Advanced Public Sector Economic and Financial Decision Making3
DPA 704Advocacy and Leadership in Public Policy and Administration3
Methods Sequence
DPA 705Research Design for Program and Policy Evaluation3
DPA 706Quantitative Methods of Program and Policy Evaluation3
DPA 707Qualitative Research Methods3
Concentration Area9
May be selected from different departments such as: Public Policy and Administration, Criminal Justice, Geography and Planning, Graduate Social Work, Health, and Psychology.
Dissertation Project
DPA 801Dissertation Seminar I: Research Questions and Framing the Literature3
DPA 802Dissertation Seminar II: Data and Measurements3
DPA 803Dissertation Seminar III: Quantitative and Qualitative Analysis3
DPA 804Dissertation Seminar IV: Recommendations and Conclusions3
Total Credits Required45

To track their individual degree progress, students are advised to access their Degree Progress Report (DPR) via my WCU and consult their Graduate Coordinator.  For more information, visit wcupa.edu/DegreeProgressReport.

The following is a sample suggested course sequence for this program; course offerings and availability are not guaranteed. Students should consult their academic advisor with any questions.

Nine Credits Per Semester

NOTE: Some courses may be able to be completed during the summer term. Please check the schedule of classes for availability.

Plan of Study Grid
Year One
Semester OneCredits
DPA 700 Doctoral Seminar in Public Policy and Administration 3
DPA 701 Advanced Practice and Applied Theories of Public Policy and Administration 3
Concentration Elective Course 3
 Credits9
Semester Two
DPA 703 Advanced Public Sector Economic and Financial Decision Making 3
DPA 705 Research Design for Program and Policy Evaluation 3
Concentration Elective Course 3
 Credits9
Year Two
Semester One
DPA 702 Strategic Public Sector Management and Governance 3
DPA 707 Qualitative Research Methods 3
Concentration Elective Course 3
 Credits9
Semester Two
DPA 704 Advocacy and Leadership in Public Policy and Administration 3
DPA 706 Quantitative Methods of Program and Policy Evaluation 3
 Credits6
Year Three
Semester One
DPA 801 Dissertation Seminar I: Research Questions and Framing the Literature 3
DPA 802 Dissertation Seminar II: Data and Measurements 3
 Credits6
Semester Two
DPA 803 Dissertation Seminar III: Quantitative and Qualitative Analysis 1 3
DPA 804 Dissertation Seminar IV: Recommendations and Conclusions 3
 Credits6
 Total Credits45
1

The comprehensive exam must be successfully passed before enrolling in DPA 803.

Six Credits Per Semester

NOTE: Some courses may be able to be completed during the summer term. Please check the schedule of classes for availability.

Plan of Study Grid
Year One
Semester OneCredits
DPA 700 Doctoral Seminar in Public Policy and Administration 3
DPA 701 Advanced Practice and Applied Theories of Public Policy and Administration 3
 Credits6
Semester Two
DPA 705 Research Design for Program and Policy Evaluation 3
Concentration Elective Course 3
 Credits6
Year Two
Semester One
DPA 702 Strategic Public Sector Management and Governance 3
Concentration Elective Course 3
 Credits6
Semester Two
DPA 703 Advanced Public Sector Economic and Financial Decision Making 3
DPA 706 Quantitative Methods of Program and Policy Evaluation 3
 Credits6
Year Three
Semester One
DPA 704 Advocacy and Leadership in Public Policy and Administration 3
DPA 707 Qualitative Research Methods 3
 Credits6
Semester Two
DPA 801 Dissertation Seminar I: Research Questions and Framing the Literature 3
Concentration Elective Course 3
 Credits6
Year Four
Semester One
DPA 802 Dissertation Seminar II: Data and Measurements 3
 Credits3
Semester Two
DPA 803 Dissertation Seminar III: Quantitative and Qualitative Analysis 1 3
DPA 804 Dissertation Seminar IV: Recommendations and Conclusions 3
 Credits6
 Total Credits45
1

The comprehensive exam must be successfully passed before enrolling in DPA 803.