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College of Health Sciences and Public Policy:
PhD in Public Policy and Administration (PPA)

The PhD in Public Policy and Administration program is designed to prepare students to address the challenges of governance and service delivery that exist both in the U.S. and around the world. Coursework explores public policy theory, research, and practice in a global context, enabling students to gain expertise in effective U.S. policy management and the ability to apply those insights to problems facing the world at large. The PhD in Public Policy and Administration can position students for career opportunities in research, higher education, or administration in the private, public, or nonprofit sector.

Learning Outcomes

At the end of the program, students will be able to:

  1. Discuss leadership concepts and theories that have been used to effectively lead and manage in the public sector.
  2. Analyze evidence-based research, theories, and models used to promote participation in public and nonprofit policy processes.
  3. Develop solutions for problems related to public policy and public administration using theory and research.
  4. Ethically apply the major theories and concepts of public policy and public administration within organizations.
  5. Evaluate models and best practices utilizing diverse perspectives in local, state, national, and international public agencies by using evidence-based research.

Minimum Degree Requirements

  • Doctoral Writing Assessment
  • Professional Development Plan and Program of study
  • Foundation course (3 credits)
  • Core courses (25 credits)
  • Research courses (20 credits)
  • Completion of the Doctoral Capstone
    • Dissertation Seminar courses (5 credits; continuously enrolled in 1 credits per term for a minimum of 5 terms until completed)
    • Dissertation writing courses (5 credits per term for a minimum of four terms; taken continuously until completion)
    • Quarter Plans
  • Four residencies

Curriculum

Foundation Course (3 credits)

Core Courses (25 credits)

  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.
  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.
  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.
  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.
  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.

Foundation Research Sequence (15 credits)

Courses composing the Foundation Research Sequence are conducted online and require weekly readings, participation in discussions, and assignment completion. Course instructors guide discussions and evaluate discussion and application assignments. RSCH 8110 must be completed prior to Residency 2 of the academic residencies. RSCH 8210 and RSCH 8310 must be completed prior to beginning the dissertation or attending Residency 3.

  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.
  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.
  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.

Advanced Research Course (5 credits)

All PhD students are required to complete one advanced-level research course that mirrors the methodology of their intended dissertations. The university offers three advanced courses; individual programs may have other advanced options. Students should refer to their specific programs of study to determine program-specific requirements.

One of the following three courses is required

  • Students may take this a non-degree course.
  • Students may take this a non-degree course.

Residency Requirements

  • Complete Residency 1 as soon as you begin your program; should be completed in Term 1 or Term 2.
  • Complete Residency 2 within 18 months of your start date or linked to your registration for or completion of your first research course.
  • Complete Residency 3 by the end of your third year.
  • Complete residency 4 after your prospectus is approved as follows:
  • Optional: Complete a PhD dissertation intensive (DRWI 8500) during your dissertation. Contact Student Success Advising to register.

Completion of the Doctoral Capstone

Students take this course for a minimum of four terms and are continuously enrolled until completion of their doctoral study with final chief academic officer (CAO) approval. Most Walden students who complete their dissertation/doctoral study take more than 2 years to do so.

To complete a doctoral dissertation, students must obtain the academic approval of several independent evaluators including their committee, the University Research Reviewer, and the Institutional Review Board; pass the Form and Style Review; gain approval at the oral defense stage; and gain final approval by the chief academic officer. Students must also publish their dissertation on ProQuest before their degree is conferred. Learn more about the dissertation process in the Dissertation Guidebook. In general, students are continuously registered in the dissertation course until they complete an approved dissertation, which usually requires more than the minimum terms in the dissertation course shell.

Course Sequence

Students undertake courses in the following sequence.

Quarter Course Credits
Quarter 1

PPPA 8004 - Foundations in Doctoral Studies

3 credits

PPPA 8405 - Ethics and Social Justice

5 credits
  Complete Residency 1 as soon as you begin your program; should be completed in Term 1 or Term 2.  
Quarter 2 PPPA 8991 - Dissertation Seminar 1: Welcome to the Capstone Journey   1 credits

RSCH 8110 - Research Theory, Design, and Methods

5 credits
Quarter 3 PPPA 8104 - Intellectual Traditions and Theoretical Foundations of Public Policy and Administration 5 credits
PPPA 8992 - Dissertation Seminar 2: Building Knowledge and Skills  1 credits
Quarter 4 PPPA 8993 - Dissertation Seminar 3: Establishing Research Questions and Frameworks   1 credits
Complete Residency 2 within 18 months of your start date or linked to your registration for or completion of RSCH 8210.  

RSCH 8210 - Quantitative Reasoning and Analysis

5 credits
Quarter 5 PPPA 8112 - Governance and Public Policy 5 credits
PPPA 8994 - Dissertation Seminar 4: Developing Methods and Maintaining Alignment  1 credits
Quarter 6 RSCH 8310 - Qualitative Reasoning and Analysis 5 credits
PPPA 8995 - Dissertation Seminar 5: Transition to Candidacy  1 credits
Quarter 7 PPPA 8431 - Finance and Budgeting for the Public Sector 5  credits
PPPA 8111 - Leadership and Organizational Change 5 credits
Quarter 8 Complete Residency 3 linked to your registration for or completion of RSCH 8260, RSCH 8360, or RSCH 8460.  

RSCH 8260 - Advanced Quantitative Reasoning and Analysis

 OR 

RSCH 8360 - Advanced Qualitative Reasoning and Analysis

 OR 

RSCH 8460 - Advanced Mixed-Methods Reasoning and Analysis

5 credits
Quarter 9+

Complete residency 4 after your prospectus is approved as follows:

  • Residency 4 General (RESI 8404) OR
  • Residency 4 Proposal Writing (RESI 8404Q) OR
  • Residency 4 Methods & Data Collection: Qualitative (RESI 8404R) OR
  • Residency 4 Methods & Data Collection: Quantitative (RESI 8404S) OR
  • Residency 4 Publishing & Presenting (RESI 8404T) OR
  • an approved professional conference (RESI 8900 for select programs only. Contact Advising for information.) OR
  • a dissertation intensive (DRWI 8500) during your 9000 course. Contact Student Success Advising to register. You must attend all sessions and advising throughout the entire intensive retreat in order to successfully complete the experience to satisfy residency 4 requirements. NOTE: Intensive Retreats are NOT included in Fast Track tuition.
 

PPPA 9000 - Dissertation

5 credits per term for a minimum of 4 terms; taken continuously until completion and approved by CAO
  Optional: Complete a PhD dissertation intensive (DRWI 8500) during your dissertation. Contact Student Success Advising to register.  

 *Students take this course for a minimum of four terms and are continuously enrolled until completion of their dissertation with final chief academic officer (CAO) approval. In general, students are continuously registered in the dissertation course until they complete their capstone project and it is approved. This usually takes longer than the minimum required terms in the dissertation course shell.

To complete a dissertation, students must obtain the academic approval of several independent evaluators including their committee, the University Research Reviewer, and the Institutional Review Board; pass the Form and Style Review; gain approval at the oral defense stage; and gain final approval by the chief academic officer. Students must also publish their dissertation on ProQuest before their degree is conferred. Learn more about the dissertation process in the Dissertation Guidebook.

Previous Specializations (not currently accepting new students)

These previous PhD in Public Policy and Administration specializations are no longer accepting new students. Current students in these specializations must complete their programs of study in accordance with Walden’s Time-to-Degree Completion policies.

Minimum Degree Requirements

  • Doctoral Writing Assessment
  • Professional Development Plan and Program of study
  • Foundation course (3 credits)
  • Core courses (25 credits)
  • Research courses (20 credits)
  • Specialization courses (15 credits)
  • Completion of the Doctoral Capstone
    • Doctoral support course (5 credits)
    • Dissertation writing courses (5 credits per term for a minimum of four terms; taken continuously until completion)
    • Quarter Plans
  • Four residencies

Course Sequence for Specializations

Students undertake courses in the following sequence.

Quarter Course Credits
Quarter 1

PPPA 8004 - Foundations in Doctoral Studies

3 credits

PPPA 8405 - Ethics and Social Justice

5 credits
  Complete Residency 1 face-to-face as soon as you begin your program; should be completed within 90 days of completing your Foundations course.  
Quarter 2

PPPA 8465 - Strategic Planning: Collaboration, Cooperation, and Coordination

5 credits

RSCH 8110 - Research Theory, Design, and Methods

5 credits
Quarter 3

PPPA 8431 - Finance and Budgeting for the Public Sector

5 credits

PPPA 8111 - Leadership and Organizational Change

5 credits
Quarter 4

PPPA 8112 - Governance and Public Policy

5 credits
Specialization Course 1 5 credits
Quarter 5

RSCH 8210 - Quantitative Reasoning and Analysis

5 credits
Specialization Course 2 5 credits
  Complete Residency 2 as face-to-face or virtual within 18 months of your start date or linked to your registration for or completion of your first research course.  
Quarter 6 RSCH 8310 - Qualitative Reasoning and Analysis 5 credits
Specialization Course 3 5 credits
Quarter 7 Complete Residency 3 face-to-face by the end of your third year.  

Advanced research course:

  • RSCH 8260 - Advanced Quantitative Reasoning and Analysis

     OR
  • RSCH 8360 - Advanced Qualitative Reasoning and Analysis

     OR
  • RSCH 8460 - Advanced Mixed-Methods Reasoning and Analysis

5 credits

PPPA 8115 - Writing a Quality Prospectus

5 credits
  Complete Residency 4 during your third year or beyond as:
  • a face-to-face or virtual residency (RESI 8404) OR
  • an approved professional conference (RESI 8900 based on programavailability) OR
  • a dissertation intensive (DRWI 8500) during your 9000 course. Contact Student Success Advising to register.
 
Quarter 8+

PPPA 9000 - Dissertation

5 credits per term for a minimum of 4 terms; taken continuously until completion
  Optional: Complete a PhD dissertation intensive retreat (DRWI 8500) face-to-face during your dissertation. Contact Student Success Advising to register.  

* Students take this course for a minimum of four quarters and are continuously enrolled until completion of their dissertation with final chief academic officer (CAO) approval.

To complete a doctoral dissertation, students must obtain the academic approval of several independent evaluators including their committee, the University Research Reviewer, and the Institutional Review Board; pass the Form and Style Review; gain approval at the oral defense stage; and gain final approval by the Chief Academic Officer. Students must also publish their dissertation on ProQuest before their degree is conferred. Learn more about the dissertation process in the Dissertation Guidebook.

Master of Philosophy (Embedded Degree)

Walden awards the Master of Philosophy (MPhil) degree to recognize PhD students for academic achievement leading up to their dissertation. With an MPhil, students will be able to demonstrate to employers and others that they have an advanced knowledge base in their field of study as well as proficiency in research design and evaluation.

  • Students are eligible to apply for this credential while continuing their PhD program once they have completed:
    • All required PhD core courses (or KAMs)
    • All required PhD specialization courses (or KAMs)
    • All required doctoral research and advanced research courses
    • Program prospectus development course
    • Residencies 1, 2, and 3
  • A minimum 3.0 GPA is mandatory.
  • The MPhil requires a minimum of 45 quarter credits. Maximum transfer of credit varies by program but is not to exceed 50% of the overall, or embedded, program requirements. Students who previously completed a master's degree with Walden in the same discipline area are not eligible for an MPhil.

Doctoral Writing Assessment

Students who start or readmit to doctoral programs at Walden University in the university catalog for academic year 2017 or later will complete the university’s required doctoral writing assessment. Designed to evaluate incoming doctoral students’ writing skills, this assessment aims to help prepare incoming doctoral students to meet the university’s expectations for writing at the doctoral level.

Doctoral Writing Assessment

Students who start or readmit to doctoral programs at Walden University in the university catalog for academic year 2017 or later will complete the university’s required doctoral writing assessment. Designed to evaluate incoming doctoral students’ writing skills, this assessment aims to help prepare incoming doctoral students to meet the university’s expectations for writing at the doctoral level.

8-Year Maximum Time Frame

Students have up to 8 years to complete their doctoral degree requirements (see Enrollment Requirements in the student handbook). Students may petition to extend the 8-year maximum time frame, but an extension is not guaranteed.