Program Overview

Doctor of Philosophy - Public Affairs

About

The mission of the Ph.D. in Public Affairs is to be the nexus between the academic community and the world of service and practice in the private, non-profit, and public sector. The degree will prepare individuals to study issues facing society in the context of public, private, and non-profit organizations and institutions. The program is interdisciplinary and draws upon faculty from across the college. The degree program is designed to prepare students to enter the academic world at the college or university level or to conduct research as an analyst within a public, private or nonprofit organization.

Accreditation

For information regarding accreditation at UNLV, please refer to Academic Program Accreditations.

Learning Outcomes

Students will be able to:

• Apply theories from the social, political, and managerial sciences to explain government's role in society.
• Evaluate the literature from a topic relevant to public affairs and create a research question.
• Identify and apply an appropriate research methods and data analysis to answer a research questions in public affairs.
• Demonstrate knowledge of ethical principles in research.
• Clearly communicate their knowledge in public affairs to different audiences such as other students, academicians, policymakers, and members of the general public.
• Possess the skills to teach college courses.

Career Possibilities

The Ph.D. in Public Affairs program is designed to prepare students for several career options. First, students will be prepared for work in an academic career at the college or university level. Second, the degree provides students with the opportunity to work in a variety of organizations as a research analyst.

Requirements

Plan Description

The Doctor of Philosophy in Public Affairs is a research-oriented degree that prepares students for careers in advanced teaching, research and professional employment in the areas of public affairs, public policy and public administration. The program's curriculum educates students in theories and methods that emphasize research and scholarship focused on governmental and nonprofit settings. The Ph.D. program is interdisciplinary in its approach, as students are encouraged to study public policy issues together with appropriate departments throughout the Greenspun College of Urban Affairs. Graduates of this program are trained for research and advanced teaching within academic institutions. The program also prepares students for careers that emphasize research within governmental and other research-based organizations.

Plan Admission Requirements

• A graduate degree (master's or another advanced degree, i.e. J.D.) from a regionally accredited institution with a minimum GPA of 3.5 (competitive GPAs are expected to be 3.7 or higher) on a 4.0 scale.
• Three letters of recommendation that speak to the applicant's character, work ethic and potential to successfully complete advanced graduate work at the doctoral level. Letters are preferred from at least one individual that has served as a faculty or academic supervisor, and at least one from an individual that has supervised or worked with the applicant within a work setting.
• A current resume or vita
• A statement of purpose explaining the applicant's career goals and how a doctorate degree in public affairs would enhance the likelihood of achieving those goals. The statement should also explain why the applicant believes that he or she is qualified to conduct advanced graduate level academic work. Finally, the statement should address the specific research area of interest that the applicant would like to emphasize.
• A writing sample from previous graduate work or a significant publication completed in an academic or professional work setting that is directly attributable to the applicant.
• Satisfactory GRE scores (preference is given to applicants with scores above 153 for the verbal section, and 144 for the quantitative section; equivalent LSAT scores are acceptable).

Plan Requirements

• Total Credits Required: 46
• Course Requirements:
  • Required Courses – Credits: 10
    • PAF 701 - Origins and Development of Public Policy in America
    • PAF 702 - Role of Government in Society
    • PAF 703 - Institutions and Policy Decisions
    • PAF 704 - Public Affairs as a Profession
  • Analytical Studies Core Courses – Credits: 12
    • PAF 710 - Theory and Design of Research
    • PAF 711 - Advanced Seminar in Quantitative Research in Public Affairs
  • Area of Specialization Courses – Credits: 12
  • Dissertation – Credits: 12
    • PAF 799 - Dissertation Research in Public Affairs

Degree Requirements

1. Completion of a minimum of 46 credits with a minimum GPA of 3.00. All core courses and analytical studies courses must be completed with a grade of "B" or better.
2. All students, in conjunction with the Public Affairs Ph.D. Graduate Coordinator, will obtain an advisor who will serve as the chair of a student's Doctoral Dissertation Committee.
3. Students will take the equivalent of three exams before completing the degree.
4. All students must complete a high quality dissertation that makes an original contribution to knowledge.
5. Students must enroll in dissertation credits each semester during their dissertation work
6. Students should be aware that the Graduate College limits course work for a degree to six years. Students should consult the Graduate College to ensure that they are familiar with College policies and procedures.

Plan Graduation Requirements

The student must submit and successfully defend their dissertation by the posted deadline. The defense must be advertised and is open to the public. The student must submit their approved, properly formatted dissertation to the Graduate College, and ProQuest by the posted deadline. Students may apply for graduation up to two semesters prior to completing their degree requirements. All required forms must be submitted to the graduate college via the Grad Rebel Gateway.