Introduction to the Ph.D. in Public Affairs Program

The Ph.D. program in Public Affairs at Florida International University is designed to equip students with critical thinking and research capacity on urban and comparative international governance issues. The program broadly encompasses public administration, management, policy, and service, preparing students for research and analytic positions in universities, public agencies, and nonprofit organizations.

Admissions Requirements

Applicants should generally have a Master's degree prior to their enrollment, though outstanding applicants with only a baccalaureate degree may also be considered. Admission is not restricted to students with prior course work in Public Administration. The program encourages applicants with diverse academic backgrounds, with preference given to those with grounding in the policy or administrative sciences. Applicants should ideally demonstrate knowledge of American political institutions and fundamentals of social research methods.

• FIU Application for Doctoral Programs (completed online)
• Official transcripts and evaluations or translations of transcripts by a NACES member credential evaluation service for international applicants
• Applicants must demonstrate excellence in prior academic work via a GPA of 3.25 or better in either the undergraduate or the graduate degree from regionally accredited institutions
• A personal statement describing the applicant's background, previous academic achievements, research-relevant experience, research topic of interest, career goals, and reasons for pursuing a Ph.D. in Public Affairs
• A current resume
• Three references using the Graduate Admission's recommendation form
• At least one writing sample (e.g., single-authored seminar paper or thesis)
• The GRE is not required

International Applicants

International applicants whose native language is not English are required to demonstrate English language proficiency through one of the following:

• 80 on the iBT TOEFL
• 6.5 overall on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
• 53 Pearson Test of English - Academic
• Cambridge English - Advanced
• 110 Duolingo English Test - Combined
• English Language Institute certification of satisfactory completion of all content areas with at least level six (6) proficiency
• Applicants who hold an undergraduate or graduate degree from an accredited institution where the language of instruction is English

Doctoral Degree Requirements

To fulfill the Ph.D. degree in Public Affairs, admitted students must complete at least 63 credit hours beyond the Master's degree or its equivalent (75 total credits). The credit hours include 48 hours of approved course work (including comprehensive examination) and 15 hours of dissertation work after admission to candidacy.

Program of Study

The Ph.D. program in Public Affairs is a 63 credit hours program (beyond a master's degree). Of this, 48 hours are for coursework as follows: seven principal core courses (21 credit hours), two flexible core courses (6 credit hours), five specialization elective courses (15 credit hours), and a comprehensive examination (six credit hours). The remaining 15 credit hours are for Ph.D. dissertation work.

Curriculum

Principal Core Curriculum (21 credits)

• PAD 7277 Public Administration and the American Political Economy
• PAD 7155 Organizational Development and Change in Public and Nonprofit Organizations
• PAD 7703C Empirical Methods in Public Administration
• PAD 7705 Applied Quantitative Analysis I
• PAD 7707 Applied Quantitative Analysis II
• PAD 7055 Scope and Theory of Public Administration
• URS 7156 Research Practicum

Flexible Core Courses (6 credits)

• PAD 7808 Economic Development and Urban Management
• PAD 7865 Development Administration
• PAF 7002 Foundations of Policy Analysis
• URS 7644 Managing Public Financial Resources
• URS 7380 Contemporary Management Issues and Problems

Specialization Courses (15 credits)

Students are required to take five courses in an area of specialization to be designed with the advisor. Specialization areas may include subfields within the realm of public affairs or may involve cognate disciplines.

Comprehensive Examination

Subsequent to completion of course work, students are required to pass a three-part comprehensive examination. The first component is a one-day long written examination testing for knowledge of the Ph.D. core and related materials. The second component is a research proposal that will form the basis of the student's dissertation work. The third component is the face-to-face oral examination with the faculty committee.

Dissertation

Upon successful completion of the comprehensive examination, a student should select their Ph.D. Dissertation Committee with the help of their Ph.D. Dissertation Committee Chair. The student should then finalize their dissertation proposal in consultation with the Committee. Students are expected to defend their dissertation prospectus before the end of the first semester subsequent to passing the Comprehensive Examination.

Cost of Attendance

The cost of attending the Ph.D. program at FIU depends on whether you are a Florida resident or not. Florida residents have to pay lower tuition costs as compared to non-Florida residents. The Graduate Tuition and Fees for the Academic Year are as follows: the tuition per credit hour is $455.64 for Florida residents, and $1,001.69 for non-Florida residents.

Cost & Funding Resources

Further resources on estimating costs of attendance include:

• FIU Office of the Controller
• FIU One Stop Enrollment Services
• FIU's Declaration and Certification of Finances form
• University Graduate School's Graduate Funding Website
• FIU's Office of Scholarships

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Degree Overview:

The Ph.D. in Public Affairs at Florida International University (FIU) is designed to equip students with critical thinking and research capacity on urban and comparative international governance issues. The program encompasses public administration, management, policy, and service, preparing students for research and analytic positions in universities, public agencies, and nonprofit organizations.

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Objectives:

• To develop advanced research skills and theoretical understanding of urban and international governance issues.
• To cultivate critical thinking and analytical skills for effective policy analysis and decision-making.
• To prepare students for research and professional careers in public administration, policy, and service.

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Outline:

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Program Content and Structure:

• The Ph.D. program requires at least 63 credit hours beyond the Master's degree or its equivalent (75 total credits).
• Students can transfer up to 12 semester credits from other institutions, subject to approval.
• The program includes 48 hours of coursework (including comprehensive examinations) and 15 hours of dissertation work after admission to candidacy.
• There's a residency requirement of at least 18 semester hours in three consecutive semesters during the first year and a minimum of six hours in all subsequent semesters.
• Successful completion of coursework and passing scores on the comprehensive examination are required for Ph.D. candidacy.
• Upon program start, students are assigned a faculty advisor related to their research interests.
• Students must demonstrate competence in American political economy, advanced statistical and qualitative research methods, international development administration, organizational theory and design, and local economic development and urban management.

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Course Schedule:

• Principal Core Curriculum (21 credits):
• PAD 7277 Public Administration and the American Political Economy
• PAD 7155 Organizational Development and Change in Public and Nonprofit Organizations
• PAD 7703C Empirical Methods in Public Administration
• PAD 7705 Applied Quantitative Analysis I
• PAD 7707 Applied Quantitative Analysis II
• PAD 7055 Scope and Theory of Public Administration
• URS 7156 Research Practicum
• Flexible Core Courses (6 credits):
• PAD 7808 Economic Development and Urban Management
• PAD 7865 Development Administration
• PAF 7002 Foundations of Policy Analysis
• URS 7644 Managing Public Financial Resources
• URS 7380 Contemporary Management Issues and Problems
• Specialization Courses (15 credits):
• Students choose five courses in a specialization area designed with their advisor.
• These courses can be within public affairs or cognate disciplines.
• At least three hours must be URS 7926 (Supervised Readings).
• Comprehensive Examination (6 credits):
• Students complete a three-part comprehensive examination after coursework.
• The first part is a one-day written exam testing core knowledge.
• The second part is a research proposal, reviewed by a faculty committee.
• The third part is a face-to-face oral examination.
• Dissertation (15 credits):
• Students select a Ph.D. Dissertation Committee after passing the comprehensive examination.
• They finalize the dissertation proposal in consultation with the committee.
• Students defend their prospectus before the end of the first semester after passing the exam.
• Upon proposal approval, students begin dissertation work.
• They must comply with FIU's Institutional Review Board protocol for human subjects research.
• Students enroll continually until the dissertation is completed.
• They must defend their dissertation before the Ph.D. Dissertation Committee.

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Assessment:

• Comprehensive Examination: This exam assesses knowledge of core and related materials, evaluates the research proposal, and includes an oral examination.
• Dissertation: The dissertation is a major piece of original research that demonstrates the student's ability to conduct independent scholarly work.
• Faculty: The program features full-time faculty members who are experts in their respective fields.
• Unique Approaches: The program encourages diverse academic backgrounds and emphasizes research capacity on urban and international governance issues.

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Careers:

• The Ph.D. in Public Affairs prepares students for careers in:
• Research and analytic positions in universities.
• Public agencies.
• Nonprofit organizations.
• Potential Career Paths:
• University professor
• Policy analyst
• Research scientist
• Program evaluator
• Government administrator
• Nonprofit leader

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Other:

• The program encourages students with diverse academic backgrounds and preference is given to those with grounding in the policy or administrative sciences.
• Applicants should ideally demonstrate knowledge of American political institutions and fundamentals of social research methods.
• Students can potentially be awarded a Master's degree in Public Administration en route to their Ph.D., under specific circumstances.
• The program emphasizes research capacity on urban and comparative international governance issues.
• Students are provided a Program Planning Sheet for tracking degree progress.

Florida International University

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Overview:

Florida International University (FIU) is a public research university located in Miami, Florida. It is the only public research university in Miami and is recognized as a Preeminent State Research University by the Florida Board of Governors. FIU is known for its diverse student body, its commitment to research, and its focus on addressing global challenges.

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Services Offered:

FIU offers a wide range of services to its students, including:

Academic Support:

Libraries, tutoring services, writing centers, and career counseling.

Student Life:

Student organizations, clubs, recreational activities, and cultural events.

Campus Resources:

Housing, dining, transportation, and healthcare services.

Technology:

Access to computer labs, Wi-Fi, and online learning platforms.

Financial Aid:

Scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study programs.

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Student Life and Campus Experience:

FIU provides a vibrant and diverse campus experience for its students. With over 58,000 students from 142 countries, the university fosters a global and inclusive environment. Students can engage in a variety of activities, including:

Student Involvement:

Joining clubs, organizations, and honor societies.

Campus Highlights:

Attending concerts, sporting events, and cultural performances.

Arts & Culture:

Visiting museums, art galleries, and theaters.

Recreation & the Outdoors:

Participating in sports, fitness activities, and outdoor adventures.

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Key Reasons to Study There:

Top-Ranked Programs:

FIU offers over 190 degree programs, many of which are ranked among the best in the nation.

Research Excellence:

FIU is a Carnegie Very High Research institution, conducting groundbreaking research in various fields.

Global Focus:

FIU's location in Miami provides students with unique opportunities to engage with a diverse and international community.

Diverse Student Body:

FIU's student population represents a wide range of backgrounds and cultures, fostering a rich and inclusive learning environment.

Campus Amenities:

FIU offers a variety of resources and amenities to support student success, including modern facilities, housing options, and recreational opportunities.

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Academic Programs:

FIU offers a wide range of academic programs across various disciplines, including:

Arts and Design

Business and Economics

Education

Hospitality Management

Humanities and Culture

Medicine and Health

Public Policy

Sciences and Engineering

Technology

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Other:

FIU has multiple campuses across South Florida, including the main Modesto A. Maidique Campus, the Biscayne Bay Campus, and several satellite locations. The university also boasts a strong alumni network of over 200,000 individuals.