Doctor of Public Administration (DPA) Degree

Many individuals that are highly experienced in public service go back to college to get their Doctor of Public Administration (DPA). This advanced degree helps strengthen their skills, education and knowledge in the field. The DPA degree provides the opportunity to advance a career, or make a transition in careers …individuals that have earned their doctorate in public administration find viable employment with local, county, state and federal government agencies, universities, education organizations, and consulting firms”involving teaching or consulting. Overall, a Doctorate in Public Administration offers a high level of public leadership, obviously beyond what is offered at a master’s level. A DPA, like the one offered at the University of La Verne, focuses on leadership skills in a public arena and how to properly address a variety of public service challenges in the community.

Doctor of Public Administration – An Expansive Curriculum

The DPA program is built on current case studies, course work, and advanced learning methodologies along with experiences in the field. The entire curriculum strengthens leadership and collaboration skills. It provides an easy assessment for identifying community problems.

The student will work closely with an experienced team of professional peers and faculty that have years in health care and public safety. They will provide all the necessary tools to better understand collaboration efforts in resolving many of the challenges dealing with public administration.

The learned decision-making processes include the integral balance of community advocacy and citizen involvement out of the public sector. The course curriculum provides proper assessment tools to thoroughly evaluate all of the current practices and theories used in the field of public administration. This will include a thorough research of ethical and reliable public administrative methods.

Doctor of Public Administration – Available Careers

Many of the common jobs that are available after earning a Doctor of Public Administration (DPA) degree includes administration work, budget director, analysts, faculty member (full-time, part-time, or adjunct), city manager, fire/police chief, government relations manager and policy analyst. Other career choices also include a director position in public works, public safety, parks and recreation, and economic development.

Many individuals that have earned their doctorate in public administration find viable employment with local, county, state and federal government agencies, universities, education organizations, and consulting firms. They also find employment with profit and nonprofit organizations along with special interest groups, trade groups, think tanks, and professional and political associations.

Many individuals are ready to move their careers further than their master’s degree by learning better theories and leadership skills to utilize in the nonprofit, private and public sectors.