Lead Innovatively. Inspire Change.

Become an accomplished leader in the public or nonprofit sector. Tap into your interests to make real change to policy and practice in state and local government or within the third sector. As executive positions in these sectors continue to grow, the skills and knowledge you gain in the Doctor of Public Administration (D.P.A.) program will prepare you to lead, motivate, and inspire.

Nova Southeastern University’s D.P.A. program is designed to build the skillsets of emerging leaders in public service. It provides a grounding in the theories and applications of management and policy in the public and nonprofit sectors with a curriculum that provides a strong foundation and allows for flexibility. Expand your professional network and engage in vital experiential learning opportunities.

Graduates will emerge equipped to address the social, economic, and political challenges of leadership with the confidence to advance change.

“A career in public service or nonprofit management is personally and professionally fulfilling. With the program’s focus on advanced training for practice, NSU is preparing future executives in these sectors. Leadership development is critical in these sectors and NSU is preparing these students to meet those challenges.”

Adam Williams, Ph.D., Associate Professor
headshot of faculty adam williams

Quick Facts

Curriculum

NSU’s Doctor of Public Administration program consists of 60 total credits, and can be completed in as little as 3 years (depending upon post graduate coursework).

 

Start Dates

The Doctor of Public Administration is available to start in August 2023. Thereafter, the DPA program will commence in the Fall (August) of subsequent odd-numbered years.

Delivery Options

Classes for the Doctor of Public Administration program are offered in an online (synchronous) format, primarily on Saturdays from 8am-5pm. Attendance at on-campus end-of-term seminars may also be required periodically during the program.

Tuition

Tuition for the Doctor of Public Administration is $1,500 per credit hour.

Earning Potential

County Manager

$142,674 Source: ICMA.org

City Manager

$135,140 Source: ICMA.org

Chief Executive Officer (Non-Profit)

$113,489 Source: Ziprecruiter.com

Fundraising Manager

$94,380 Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Doctor of Public Administration Curriculum

Course Descriptions
D.P.A. Core Courses (24 credits)
Credits
PUB 5449*
Public Policy Analysis (PUB 5449* / Credits: 3 )
3
PUB 6000
Public Management and Leadership Practice (PUB 6000 / Credits: 4 )
4
PUB 6100
Public Affairs and Public Administration Research Methods (PUB 6100 / Credits: 4 )
4
PUB 6200
Practice in Public Administration (PUB 6200 / Credits: 4 )
4
PUB 6400
Doctoral Closure Course (PUB 6400 / Credits: 4 )
4
PNP 5927*
Evaluation of Nonprofit Policies and Programs (PNP 5927* / Credits: 3 )
3
* PUB 6999
Doctoral Seminar (required for each 5000 level course) (* PUB 6999 / Credits: 2 )
2
Emphasis Track - Public Management (20 credits)
Credits
PUB 5438 *
Public and Non-Profit Strategic Management (PUB 5438 * / Credits: 3 )
3
PUB 5459 *
Managing Information & Tech in the Public Sector (PUB 5459 * / Credits: 3 )
3
PUB 5469 *
Public Finance (PUB 5469 * / Credits: 3 )
3
PUB 5926 *
Public Budgeting (PUB 5926 * / Credits: 3 )
3
PUB 5932 *
Sustainable Community Development (PUB 5932 * / Credits: 3 )
3
* PUB 6999
Doctoral Seminar (required for each 5000 level course) (* PUB 6999 / Credits: 5 )
5
Closure Exercise (16 credits)
PUB 6900
Doctoral Closure Seminar (PUB 6900 )

In this course, students are required to do a detailed, accurate, and cohesive account of a scholarly investigation designed to answer one or more applied/real-world problems or focused research questions. It is required of all the doctoral students, and its purpose is to improve scholarship and practice in public sector.

Are You Ready to Make a Difference?

What does success look like? For many, it's living on our own terms, becoming a business success so we can help others, or being at the top of our game to fulfill our dreams. At NSU Business, it's all of the above. We believe people, planet, and profit can be the triple bottom line, and that our grads will create businesses that do more than just succeed; they will help others thrive, too.

Advance your career with our world-class business programs and our network of leaders, innovators, and change agents. Do your best and deliver what's Best for Our World™.

Take The Next Step

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Master of Public Administration

NSU’s Master of Public Administration (M.P.A.) helps you develop the professional skills you need to lead in the public sector, with a special focus on governmental agencies. Turn your interest and passion into a career.

The H. Wayne Huizenga College of Business and Entrepreneurship graduate enrollment office is located in the Carl DeSantis Building in Suite 1115 on NSU's Fort Lauderdale-Davie campus in Davie, Florida. Click here for a map.

Phone: (954) 262-5067 or Toll-Free: (800) 672-7223 x25067

Email: hcbeinfo@nova.edu

Schedule an Appointment

Hours of Operation

Monday – Friday
8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.