Public Affairs (PhD)

Program Overview

The Doctoral Program in Public Affairs aims to cultivate graduates who can drive research and advance theory in public affairs. Graduates are equipped with research skills, a deep understanding of public policy processes, and the ability to conduct independent research. The program offers flexibility through specialization areas and dual degree track options, preparing graduates for diverse careers in academia, government, and the nonprofit sector.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The Doctoral Program in Public Affairs is designed to prepare graduates to advance research and theory by exploring topics at the leading edge of public affairs. The program aims to equip graduates with the ability to: The program builds on a set of four foundational core courses that explore the intellectual history of public administration, the principal theories of public organizational theory and behavior, the public policy process (including policy formulation and implementation), and advanced public policy analysis. Students will gain an understanding of social, economic, political, and technological factors that shape governance through formal and informal processes and actions. The program's interdisciplinary nature, faculty interaction, and flexibility in choosing program concentrations and electives allow students to tailor their studies to their career goals. Students seeking advancement within public agencies or nonprofit organizations can choose a mix of electives, including coursework from other UCF programs, while those seeking to teach at the college or university level will focus on specialization courses within their discipline.

Outline:

The program requires a total of 57 credit hours and is structured as follows:

Required Core Courses (24 credits):

• Core Curriculum (12 credits):
• PAD7006 - Intellectual History of Public Administration (3 credits)
• PAD7016 - Public Policy Processes and Theory (3 credits)
• PAD7106 - Public Organization Theory and Behavior (3 credits)
• PAD7308 - Advanced Public Policy Analysis (3 credits)
• Research Methods (12 credits):
• PAD7706 - Advanced Research Design for Public Administration and Policy (3 credits)
• PAD7754 - Quantitative Methods for Public Administration & Policy I (3 credits)
• PAD7756 - Quantitative Methods for Public Administration and Policy II (3 credits)
• PAD7709 - Advanced Qualitative Methods for Public Administration and Policy (3 credits)

Area of Specialization (18 credits):

• Students choose one of nine specialization areas, each comprised of graduate courses offered by the university's existing graduate degree programs.
• Doctoral students are expected to complete additional readings and assignments beyond those required for Master's students enrolled in the same courses.
• Students complete four recommended courses (12 credit hours) for their chosen specialization (substitutions are allowed with the program director's approval, and students can create their own specialization with advance approval).
• Students also complete six credit hours of directed research, conducting independent research in their anticipated dissertation topic with their advisor.
• Concentrations include but are not limited to:
• Public Policy Analysis
• Public Budgeting & Finance
• Public Management
• Urban Policy
• Emergency Management
• Nonprofit Management
• Collaborative Governance
• Comparative Public Administration
• Community and Global Health Services Research

Dissertation (15 credits):

• PAF 7980 - Doctoral Dissertation (15 credits)
• Students must enroll in this course continuously (including summers) until they defend their dissertation.
• Students are not permitted to register in more than 9 dissertation credit hours in any given semester and must take at least three credit hours.
• Students who have met the 15-credit hour dissertation requirement but have not defended their dissertation must continue to register in subsequent semesters to meet the UCF College of Graduate Studies requirement of continuous enrollment.
• The dissertation demonstrates the candidate's ability to select and masterfully approach an issue in their respective field by conducting independent research, analyzing and interpreting results, and placing the study and its findings into a larger context.
• The defense also establishes the candidate's capability to skillfully communicate this process and its results.
• Each completed dissertation must be defended before a committee of the graduate faculty.

Examinations (0 credits):

• Committee:
• The committee must include the prospective chair of the student's dissertation committee and three other members selected by the chair in consultation with the student.
• During or prior to the semester during which completion of the qualifying examination is anticipated, students must select a dissertation committee (3 members from the public administration faculty, one of whom will serve as chair, plus an outside member).
• Core Exam:
• Once the first year of Core Courses is complete, students are required to complete a written core examination.
• The core examination is integrative, with each substantive core course represented.
• The examination is a collective exercise, with all eligible students sitting for the examination simultaneously.
• Examinations will be scored by a faculty committee as Fail, Pass, or High Pass.
• Students who do not receive pass or high pass scores on the examination will be required to stand for a supplemental oral examination.
• Qualifying Examination:
• All students are required to stand for the Qualifying Examination at the completion of their course of study, prior to defending a prospectus and entering candidacy for the degree.
• The qualifying examination is an individual exercise, scheduled individually with the student's dissertation chair and committee.
• The qualifying examination shall consist of an oral defense before the student's committee of three publication-quality papers: one literature review, one conceptual paper developing theory in an area, and one empirical paper in which the student demonstrates their proficiency in research methods to answer a research question of their choosing.
• The qualifying examination is an individual exercise, tailored to each student's interests.
• The final grading for qualifying exams will consist of a score of “High Pass” “Pass” or “Fail.”
• All students will have two opportunities to pass the core and qualifying exams.
• Students must pass each component of each examination.

Candidacy (0 credits):

• Students can officially obtain candidacy status when they have passed the core and qualifying exams, formed their Dissertation committee, have no more than six required courses remaining (electives included), and all required paperwork has been completed and submitted.
• Students admitted to their UCF doctoral program in Fall 2011 or a later term must complete all CITI Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) training.
• Once they have obtained Candidacy status, students can register for dissertation hours.
• Students officially enter candidacy when the following work has been accomplished:
1. Pass Core and Qualifying Exams 2. Form an appropriate Dissertation Committee by the established university deadline:
• Chair (Graduate Faculty member who is eligible to chair a dissertation committee)
• Minimum of four committee members (all must hold a Graduate Faculty or Graduate Faculty Scholar appointment)
• At least three, and a majority of the committee, must be members of the Graduate Faculty
• At least one member must be from outside the department (or college, if a college-wide program)
• At least one member must have served previously on a thesis or dissertation committee that graduated a student, either at UCF or at another accredited institution.
If the Chair does not have this experience, another graduate faculty member who has this experience may serve in this role as Vice-Chair. Under certain circumstances, a graduate faculty scholar who has previous committee experience may serve as Vice-Chair. Have no more than 6 total credit hours of coursework remaining (including electives) 4. Complete all required RCR Workshops and CITI Integrity Trainings. Complete PAF Notification of Doctoral Candidacy form.

Assessment:

The program utilizes a variety of assessment methods, including:

• Written examinations: Core Exam and Qualifying Examination
• Dissertation: Demonstrates the candidate's ability to conduct independent research, analyze and interpret results, and communicate their findings effectively.
• Coursework: Students are assessed through a combination of assignments, exams, and participation.

Teaching:

• Teaching methods: The program utilizes a variety of teaching methods, including lectures, seminars, group discussions, and independent research.
• Faculty: The program is taught by experienced faculty members with expertise in public administration, public policy, and research methods.
• Unique approaches: The program emphasizes interdisciplinary learning and the application of theory to real-world problems.

Careers:

Graduates of the Doctoral Program in Public Affairs are prepared for a variety of careers in academia, government, and the nonprofit sector. Potential career paths include:

• University professor: Teaching and conducting research in public administration, public policy, or related fields.
• Government researcher: Conducting research and analysis to inform policy decisions.
• Policy analyst: Providing expert advice on policy issues to government agencies or nonprofit organizations.
• Program manager: Leading and managing public or nonprofit programs.
• Consultant: Providing expert advice and services to government agencies, nonprofit organizations, or businesses.

Other:

• The program offers a Public Affairs PhD - Public Administration MPA Dual Degree Track for students who do not have a graduate degree.
• Students in the Dual Degree Track earn both the Doctor of Philosophy in Public Affairs and the Master of Public Administration degrees concurrently.
• Students seeking admission to the Dual Degree Track should apply directly to the Public Affairs PhD - Public Administration MPA Dual Degree Track.
• Students in the Dual Degree Track are active in both the Public Administration MPA and the Public Affairs PhD programs but must complete all coursework for the MPA program before starting any coursework required for the PhD program.