Advisor:
Matthew Mingus,
Room 220E, Walwood Hall
Telephone: (269) 387-8942

The Doctoral Program is under review and expects sweeping changes. For more information contact Dr. Mingus.

The doctoral program is designed both for those who have experience in a supervisory or administrative position with a federal, state, or local government or nonprofit agency and for those wishing to teach public administration in a college or university setting. The program is structured to provide decision makers and future professors with a more sophisticated understanding of the governing process.

Completion of the degree will provide doctoral graduates with the background to perform independent research on theoretical public administration concerns and substantive issues, to analyze a wider range of alternative policies, and to weigh competing choices in the decision-making process.

Students are admitted into the doctoral program in odd-numbered years, and begin classes in the Fall semester. Each cohort moves through its sequence of courses and comprehensive examination together.

Admission Requirements

1. Master’s degree in public administration or related area.
2. At least four years of experience in a supervisory or administrative position.
3. One academic reference and two letters of recommendation from persons acquainted with the applicant’s professional work.
4. Completion of the Departmental Application that requires responding to several essay questions.
5. Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores for the quantitative, verbal, and analytical parts of the examination.
6. An interview with members of the School’s faculty.