The mission of the doctor of public administration program is to educate students for public service careers in state government and management, or for careers in academia. The program emphasizes the theory, analysis, evaluation, and practice of public administration and public policy. Research, along with its applications, is also an important component. Public administration doctoral education is intended to enhance student capabilities for public service, leadership, research, and teaching.
In addition to completing the UIS application for graduate study, applicants are expected to submit a goals essay; three reference letters of which at least one must be an academic reference; a writing sample consisting of a research paper, report, or study; and to take the GRE General test.
The goals statement should demonstrate the applicant’s personal commitment to academic excellence through a three- to five-page statement of academic and career goals.
Submit supplementary application materials (goals essay, three references, and writing sample) to:
Public Administration DPA Admissions Committee - PAC 420
University of Illinois at Springfield
One University Plaza - PAC 420
Springfield, IL 62703-5407
To be eligible for full admission to the doctoral program in public administration, applicants must meet the following requirements:
master's degree, with a minimum grade-point average of 3.25 in graduate course work,
satisfactory performance on the GRE,
completion of all prerequisite course work,
demonstration of writing skills at the time of application through submission of a copy of a recent research paper, report, or study written by the applicant,
demonstration of ability to succeed in doctoral studies by the recommendations of three persons who are knowledgeable about the applicant, at least one of whom is an academic reference, and
demonstration of personal commitment to academic excellence through a three-to-five page statement of academic and career goals.
International students must also demonstrate English proficiency with a score of at least 575 on the TOEFL.
Evaluation of applications for admission is based on a comprehensive analysis of the application portfolio.
For admission to the DPA program, the goals and objectives of the student must, in the judgment of the Doctoral Program Committee, be an appropriate fit with the mission and capacity of the DPA program.
Students must satisfy the following prerequisite course requirements: (1) a one-semester undergraduate or graduate course in economics, preferably microeconomics; (2) a graduate-level course on the American political system (or a graduate degree in public administration, political studies, or the equivalent); (3) analytical tools (PAD 503, POS 503, or the equivalent) completed within the past five years; (4) budgeting and finance (PAD 504, or the equivalent); and (5) public policy (PAD 531 or POS 518, or the equivalent). An applicant who meets all admission requirements other than the course prerequisites may be admitted pending completion of these requirements.
Interested persons are encouraged to contact the DPA program (217-206-6076) before starting the application process.
See the Public Administration/DPA website for additional information.