PhD in Public Administration and Policy at University at Albany

    PhD in Public Administration and Policy at University at Albany

    PhD in Public Administration and Policy at University at Albany

    The Public Administration and Policy at University at Albany is a Full Time PhD program offered at the university's main campus in Albany, United States of America. The program is delivered on campus in English and can be completed in 4 years. Students develop academic knowledge and practical skills that prepare them for future careers in this field. The next available intake starts on August 19, 2027.

    About PhD in Public Administration and Policy

    Prepare for a Career in Academic Research in Public Management and Public Policy

    Gain authoritative knowledge of multi-dimensional public policy and public management problems and master the social science methodologies used to analyze and address them.

    Rockefeller College's PhD in Public Administration and Policy program will prepare you for a successful research career, primarily in academia, by providing advanced education and mentoring in theory-driven interdisciplinary social science research. 

    Our faculty are committed to training you to produce original research on systemic public problems and public service professionals to address practical challenges. Through our doctoral you will create and implement rigorous research designs, use quantitative and qualitative methods, inform the development of theory, contribute to improving practice in the public and nonprofit sectors, maintain high ethical standards in research, and consider the role of competing public values when making policy and administrative decisions.

    Student Learning Objectives


    Learning objectives that UAlbany students are expected to attain through their course of study within their academic program.

    PhD
    PhD
    1. Current Knowledge
      a. Demonstrates substantive mastery of the academic literature in public administration and policy
      b. Demonstrates substantive mastery of the academic literature in a specialized area of research within public administration and policy that draws upon the broader social science literature
      c. Shows a foundational understanding and ability to evaluate diverse quantitative and qualitative methods in public administration and policy research
       

    2. Independent Research
      a. Makes an original contribution to the field
      b. Competently and rigorously applies at least one quantitative or qualitative method in public administration and policy research
      c. Articulates a coherent argument in an article-length paper that links research question(s), theory, results and implications for theory and practice
      d. Articulates the relevance of the research
      e. Demonstrates an emerging scholarly identity
       

    3. Engagement in Public Affairs Community
      a. Effectively communicates research results to scholarly, practitioner and student audiences orally and in writing
      b. Involved in the broader public administration and policy scholarly community

    Requirements and Admission Criteria for PhD in Public Administration and Policy at University at Albany

    Entry Requirements

    Original & Translated Transcripts 

    Your academic transcripts must be provided in the original language, accompanied by certified translations into English. 

    If you attended an institution where instruction was conducted in English and your transcript is in English, then that transcript is sufficient. However, you must also provide official documentation on the language of instruction. 

    (Official copies of your transcripts will be required upon admission. For instructions, please visit our Apply to a Degree or Certificate Program page.) 
     

    Students from India, Bangladesh, Nepal and Pakistan 

    We require official and complete individual mark skeets for each examination attempt, including subsidiary exams.

    These documents must be issued by the University Registrar or Controller of Examinations.

    We will only accept photocopies of your mark sheets when they are attested by the University Registrar or Controller of Examinations and placed in a sealed, stamped envelope that is sent directly to the Graduate School. 

    We will accept a Provisional Certificate of Degree or Degree Certificate as proof of degree completion. 
     

    Students from China 

    We require both the Graduate Certificate and the Bachelor’s Degree Certificate for proof of earned degree. 
     

    Students from Russia, Ukraine, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan and Moldova 

    We will accept apostilled photocopies of your official academic record, in lieu of those records being officially sent to us by the institution of higher education. 
     

    Transcript Evaluation 

    Although not required, we accept WES Evaluations sent directly to UAlbany from WES. 

    A transcript evaluation allows the review committee to correctly compare the quality of your school, coursework and grades with all other applicants. 

    Other evaluation services can only be used if they require official documents directly from the institution of higher education, not the student, to evaluate coursework. 
     

    Proof of Degree 

    An official document showing award of degrees is required.

    If you do not submit acceptable documents showing proof of a U.S. bachelor’s degree or its equivalent with your admissions application, UAlbany must receive official proof of degree by the end of your program’s first semester. Otherwise, a hold will be placed on your account, preventing you from registering for the following term.

    English Requirements

    • PTEMin 53
    • IELTSMin 6.5
    • TOEFLMin 79

    Career Opportunities after Completing PhD in Public Administration and Policy

    Graduates of the public administration and policy PhD program pursue academic careers, or research-intensive positions in the government and nonprofit sectors. 

    Departmental faculty and the College's Office of Career Development provide you with a variety of career services and support as you prepare to enter the job market.

    Tuition and Fee Information for PhD in Public Administration and Policy at University at Albany

    Application Fee 75

    How to Apply for PhD in Public Administration and Policy at University at Albany

    Step 1: Gather your application materials

    We suggest you have all required elements for your application in place before you apply.

    Please read the Instructions for Application Materials below for detailed information on each required material. 

    Gather these general application materials: 

    • Transcripts of all post-secondary schools attended 

    • Statement of Background and Goals 

    • Resume 

    • Graduate Assistantship/Fellowship Application 

    • Your recommenders’ names and email addresses 

    • Any program-specific application materials listed above (such as standardized test scores, a writing samples, a portfolio, etc.)

    Step 2: Apply for graduate funding

    Most tuition scholarships, assistantships and fellowships are offered and administered by academic departments. Please contact your program for information on eligibility and availability. 

    You will have the option to apply for an assistantship or fellowship when you fill out your admissions application using the application portal. For more information, visit our Funding Graduate Studies page.

    Eligible students can also apply for a funding program that supports our diversity (such as the Graduate Opportunity Program and/or Carson Carr Graduate Diversity Fellowship) by submitting the appropriate application materials with their admissions application. 

    Other types of financial aid — including federal loans, work-study, state aid and other types of assistance — are also available to graduate students. We encourage our students to file the FAFSA each year, if they are eligible. 

    Please review these instructions for applying for financial aid as a graduate student. 

    International students: If you plan to attend UAlbany on an F1 student visa, you must document your ability to meet all expenses while attending UAlbany by submitting a financial affidavit and financial documents. Please review our Information for International Applicants page for more information.

    Step 3: Submit your standardized test scores

    Many graduate programs require applicants to submit standardized test scores, such as the GRE or GMAT. Use the search bar above to determine if your program requires standardized test scores.

    International students: If your native language is not English, you’ll have to submit English language proficiency exam scores. Please review our Information for International Applicants page for more information.

    Applicants cannot submit photocopies of test results. It can take one to three weeks for official scores to be received from the testing services and processed by the University, so be sure to request your test scores well in advance of the application deadline.

    Step 4: Submit your application

    Create an account within our application portal, which you will use to submit your application and application fee. Please see the "Using the Application Portal" instructions below for additional information.

    PhD in Public Administration and Policy at University at Albany
    University at Albany
    University at Albany
    United States of America

    United States of America, Albany

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