Doctor of Public Administration

Program Overview

About the research degree

The Doctor of Public Administration (DPA) is one of the highest and most prestigious management qualifications in the UK. Here at Huddersfield we understand that the professional leaders of the future need the highest level of leadership and personal development. The course encourages the application of sound theory and rigorous research to complex issues in business and management; the foundation for which is the development and application of knowledge and theory.

A taught programme of study is carried out in the first two years and provides preparatory training for the doctoral research phase, culminating in the submission of a research thesis. It contains four taught modules which address major aspects of research methods knowledge in a classroom-based setting. You may only progress to the research phase when they have successfully completed the taught element.

The doctoral research phase constitutes the substantive component of the DBA/DPA programme. You are required to conduct an individual supervised research project which is written up in the form of a doctoral thesis. You will have critically investigated and evaluated an approved topic, resulting in an independent and original contribution to knowledge in a relevant professional discipline, usually with a practical application. Applying the skills learnt in the taught element of the programme, you’ll be able to demonstrate an understanding of research methods appropriate to the chosen field. In addition, you are required to submit a personal reflection and impact statement to demonstrate learning over the period of study. This should capture professional and personal reflections on your experience, and how these relate to your professional and research curiosity, critical thinking, creativity and innovation in your working environments.

The thesis should be a substantial submission of 50,000 words and should demonstrate publishing potential in the field of managerial/public administration/ leadership in business or other organisations. It is an individual document that synthesizes the professional experience of the candidate, the original applied research undertaken, the academic insights achieved and the potential for contributing to practice and to the professional development of the author. The thesis should normally include: a review of the literature; research questions; conceptual framework; methodology; results; discussion on key findings and their contribution to academic and managerial/public administration/leadership practice; conclusion. The thesis will not be assessed unless it is accompanied by the PRIS.

The Personal Reflection and Impact Statement (PRIS) Successful DPA candidates will be able to demonstrate self-awareness regarding the impact the DPA experience has had on personal, professional and academic development. The statement should therefore include a future orientated strategic leadership personal development plan. The PRIS should showcase ability to critically reflect on your own actions, experiences and learning during their DBA/DPA studies. You must demonstrate critical attention to the influences that have shaped development by examining practice reflectively and reflexively, and to consider the impact of these on their professional effectiveness and ability to lead and implement strategic change in your organisation into the future.

Supervision All students are required to submit a research proposal on application to the DPA . This will ensure that you have some idea of the focus of the research you wish to undertake and will allow the School to identify supervisors with appropriate subject specialisms. On admission to the course all students will be allocated a supervisor who will be required to hold bi-monthly 1:1 sessions with their students. The research proposals from International students whose first language is not English will be diagnostically tested by colleagues in the Learning Innovation and Development Centre who will then identify bespoke academic writing support, and be supported by online resources and 1:1 sessions when on campus.

Supervisors will also be responsible for marking their students’ assignments for all the taught modules. This will ensure wrap around support for students and will engender strong supervisor/student relationships.

The Doctor of Public Administration is equivalent to the PhD but is centred around bridging the gap between your academic knowledge and professional practice. The programme retains emphasis on your own contribution to your organisation while enhancing your analytical and research skills.

Program Outline

Course detail

A taught programme of study is carried out in the first two years where you will study the following modules:

Managing Literature

This module explains the role of the literature review in research in business and management in both private and public organisations. The module will outline the process of undertaking a review of the literature. It will address the systematic approaches to conducting a review (e.g. explicit criteria for selection of publications). It will provide an overview of thematic approaches, critical analyses and synthesis procedures.

Research Methods

This module provides the opportunity to acquire and apply the techniques of research design regarding both qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches. It provides for the exploration of a range of possibilities in data collection and analysis with relevance to particular research questions. It will include general issues about research methods (e.g. research formulation and design, inductive versus deductive approaches), and will then cover a range of both qualitative and quantitative research designs. Elements of mixed methods design will also be introduced here. The module will address theoretical and practical aspects of data collection and analysis along with practical support of the application of relevant computer techniques/programmes to support data analysis.

Research Proposal

The module aims to develop your abilities to prepare and formulate a proposal for a significant piece of research work. You will be required to select a topic for investigation relevant to the broader DBA/DPA thesis, formalise a coherent set of objectives for the study, review and synthesise the relevant academic literature and develop a conceptual framework as well as identify and discuss the philosophical base most appropriate for the research undertaken for the professional doctorate in the broader context of research in the social sciences. The module will consider general issues relating to developing a research proposal (e.g. philosophy of research and ethics) and will address the procedures and difficulties around specific sections of the research proposal (e.g. methodology and analysis sections).

Applied Research: Responsibility, Reflection and Impact

The module focuses on applied research and provides the opportunity to develop links between other modules on the DBA/DPA. In the broader DBA/DPA journey, it provides the underpinning to the development journey that you will demonstrate in the final Personal Reflective Impact Statement. The heart of the module is centred on allowing you to develop your own position and identity in relation to the practice and purpose of research in a real-world context. You will be encouraged to reflect on the concept of impact and make sense of it in the context of your own research. More broadly, you will aim to reflect on the relationship between your role as researchers alongside other roles that you play. You will also consider your impact as leaders and managers, to organisations and wider society.