The University of Kansas

Conduct cutting-edge research and prepare for a career in public affairs.

Earning your doctorate in public administration from KU prepares you for an academic, research, or professional career in public policy, planning, and management. This Ph.D. program specializes in law, policy, and practice; transportation planning; environmental justice; urban planning, equity, and governance; and election administration.

Become an expert in public policy and a leader in your field.

The Ph.D. in public administration from the University of Kansas is designed to help you become familiar with the foundations of public administration, develop skills in research methods, and cultivate expert knowledge in your chosen specialty — such as budgeting, public finance, human resources management, public policy analysis and evaluation, public values and ethics, organizations and organization theory, public law and administration, or urban policy/politics and community building. A minimum of 75 credit hours, including nine hours of dissertation credit, are needed to complete the Ph.D. If a student already has an MPA degree or equivalent, they may count up to 30 hours of previous credit toward the required hours for their Ph.D.

Doctoral students develop teaching skills through their work as graduate teaching assistants and acquire research skills through coursework, positions as graduate research assistants, and departmental research workshops. This experience gives graduates an edge in the academic job market upon completion of the program.

The renowned faculty of the KU School of Public Affairs and Administration will be your instructors, mentors, and collaborators. As a student, you have access to research facilities, computer labs, scholarly publication and literary collections, and other campus-based resources and technology services.

Now is your chance to be a part of one of the top graduate public affairs programs in the nation. Find out more about the application process and deadlines by contacting an admission coordinator and begin your pathway to advancing your career with KU.