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Program at a Glance

Program
Doctorate
College(s)
College of Community Innovation and Education
Department(s)
Public Administration, Schl of
U.S. News & World Report Best Grad Schools Public Affairs Badge

New admissions to this track have been suspended effective Fall 2021. Prospective students interested in this track are encouraged to apply directly to the Public Affairs PhD program. Students are able to select or create specializations that best align with their research interests.

The Doctoral Program in Public Affairs is an interdisciplinary program drawing from the strengths of faculty in Criminal Justice, Health Management and Informatics, Public Administration, and Social Work. The Criminal Justice Track prepares students for academic positions in colleges and universities as well as research and leadership positions in public, nonprofit and private agencies. The dynamic mix of an interdisciplinary faculty with students of varied backgrounds creates a stimulating environment to examine contemporary organizational, institutional and community problems and issues. Graduates possess the theoretical, analytical and ethical foundation to produce new knowledge that impacts policies and programs and enhances institutional and community performance.

Students must complete 60 credit hours beyond the master's degree distributed in the following manner:

  • a three-course, 9-credit hour required Public Affairs substantive core
  • a six-course, 18-credit hour required Public Affairs methodological and statistical core
  • a three-course, 9-credit hour required discipline-specific specialization
  • a two-course, 6-credit hour unrestricted elective requirement
  • a one course, 3-credit hour required Public Affairs practicum
  • 15 credit hours of dissertation minimum

Total Credit Hours Required: 60 Credit Hours Minimum beyond the Master's Degree


University of Central Florida Colleges