Ph.D. in Public Administration and Public Policy - CAPPA - The University of Texas at Arlington
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:17
Ph.D. in Public Administration and Public Policy - CAPPA - The University of Texas at Arlington
Ph.D. in Public Administration and Public Policy
The program provides students theory-based and applied knowledge that integrates public administration and public policy.
Request Information
PhD in Public Administration and Public Policy Admissions
Contact:
CAPPA Admissions at
CAPPAadmissions@uta.edu
Apply UTA
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
The Public Administration and Public Policy (PAPP) Ph.D. program prepares future academicians and practitioners with research, policy, and administrative skills to help shape policy and improve communities, locally and globally.
This interdisciplinary program provides rigorous training in the theoretical, analytical, historical, and practical foundations in public administration, public policy, and nonprofit management.
The PAPP Ph.D. program provides students with a strong theoretical foundation, empirical rigor, and substantive and procedural knowledge concerning the field. The PAPP program offers students an interdisciplinary perspective to examining administrative and policy issues.
Graduates of our program continue to become future leaders who address complex community challenges with evidence-based, equitable, sustainable, and effective solutions in academia, government, the nonprofit, and for-profit sectors. The educational objectives and expected career paths of PAPP Ph.D. students are like other public administration and policy doctoral programs of similar size and reputation. About 75% of the PAPP students are part-time, and most students are from Texas or the local area.
DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
The PAPP Ph.D. has six required core courses, four required research courses, three elective courses in the student’s chosen emphasis area, and a minimum of nine dissertation credit hours. The six core courses address the social sciences, public policy, and public administration literatures critical to the integrative approach of the program. The methods courses include an intermediate quantitative methods course, an advanced quantitative methods course, and a qualitative methods course. The three elective courses are chosen based on the student's research interests in consultation with the faculty advisor. Descriptions of these courses are available in the
University Catalog.
Equal weight is given to social sciences and public administration with the goal of integrating them and providing context to understanding policy formation and implementation. A full-time student can expect to complete these courses within two academic years. Students are also required to take twelve hours of coursework in research methods. The courses cover theory and theory construction, research design, and quantitative and qualitative research methods. They contain the foundational knowledge over which students are tested in the written comprehensive examination. Students also declare an emphasis area through three elective courses chosen in consultation with their faculty advisor to enhance their research focus.
For more information, please complete the
information request form
Degree and Course Requirements
Required Core Courses
Course Code
Course Name
Hours
PAPP 6315
Public Administration Theory
3
PAPP 6320
Advanced Organization Theory
3
PAPP 6306
The Urban Economy
3
PAPP 6309
Intergovernmental Relations in the Administration and Public Policy
3
PAPP 6311
Advanced Public Policy Formation and Analysis
3
PAPP 6326
Public Budgeting and Finance
3
Total Hours: 18
Required Research Courses
Course Code
Course Name
Hours
PAPP 6342
Intermediate Data Analysis
3
PAPP 6344
Qualitative Methods
3
PAPP 6301
Theoretical Foundations and Ph.D. Workshop
3
PAPP 6346
Advanced Data Analysis in Urban and Public Affairs
3
Total Hours: 12
Selected Emphasis
Emphasis Area 1: Public and Nonprofit Management
Emphasis Area 2: Budget, Finance, and Economic Policy
Emphasis Area 3: Policy Design and Evaluation
Emphasis Area 4: Community Development and Social Equity
Total hours: 9
Dissertation
Minimum hours: 9
HANDBOOK
PH.D. IN PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION AND PUBLIC POLICY (PAPP)
2025-2026 Edition
A guide to doctoral studies at the College of Architecture, Planning and Public Affairs (CAPPA), The University of Texas - Arlington. The PAPP Ph.D. handbook attempts to provide guidance and useful information to new and current UPPP students. We trust that your experience will be academically, professionally, and personally rewarding.
PAPP Handbook
ORIENTATION
CAPPA Ph.D. Orientation
Learn more about two doctoral degree opportunities that provide very distinct programs guided by different objectives.
CLICK TO VIEW
GRADUATE TEACHING ASSISTANTSHIPS AND SCHOLARSHIPS
Graduate Teaching Assistantship packages are available on a competitive basis to students beginning their first semester of study in UT Arlington doctoral programs. Requirements include full-time enrollment and unconditional admission.
GRADUATE ASSISTANTSHIP FORM
PhD Forms
CAPPA Diagnostic Evaluation Form
CAPPA Diagnostic and Advisory Committee Selection Form
Dissertation Defense Report
PAPP Dissertation Defense Rubric Form
CAPPA Dissertation Proposal Defense Report
CAPPA Dissertation Proposal Rubric Form
Dissertation Supervising Committee Selection Form
PAPP Milestones Agreement Form
Milestone Conditions Update Instructions
UTA Incomplete Grade Form (pdf)
Overview
Bachelor of Science in Interior Design
Student Achievement Data
Bachelor of Science in Architecture
Master of Architecture
Master of Science in Sustainable Building Technology
Faculty
Studio Culture Policy
First Year Competency
Graduate Studio Lottery
Accreditation
Overview
Bachelor of Science in Sustainable Urban Design
Master of Landscape of Architecture
Dual Master’s Degree with NTU
Design Playbook
Planter Project
Faculty
Overview
Advanced Standing MCRP Program
Master of City and Regional Planning
Dual Master Degrees
Ph.D in Urban Planning and Public Policy
Overview
Online MPA
City Cohort
On-Campus
Dual Master Degrees
Ph.D in Public Administration and Public Policy
Certificate Programs
Profile
Research Expertise
Jobs and Opportunities
Doctoral Student Research
Overview
Architecture History Minor
Environmental and Sustainability Studies Minor
Urban Affairs Minor
Overview
International Program Innsbruck
Address
College of Architecture, Planning and Public Affairs
601 W. Nedderman Drive
Suite 203
Arlington, TX 76019-0108
Connect with us
CAPPA Facebook
CAPPA Instagram
CAPPA LinkedIn
Twitter
Important Links
Give to CAPPA
News
CAPPA SharePoint
Contact
Ph.D. in Public Administration and Public Policy
The program provides students theory-based and applied knowledge that integrates public administration and public policy.
Request Information
PhD in Public Administration and Public Policy Admissions
Contact:
CAPPA Admissions at
CAPPAadmissions@uta.edu
Apply UTA
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
The Public Administration and Public Policy (PAPP) Ph.D. program prepares future academicians and practitioners with research, policy, and administrative skills to help shape policy and improve communities, locally and globally.
This interdisciplinary program provides rigorous training in the theoretical, analytical, historical, and practical foundations in public administration, public policy, and nonprofit management.
The PAPP Ph.D. program provides students with a strong theoretical foundation, empirical rigor, and substantive and procedural knowledge concerning the field. The PAPP program offers students an interdisciplinary perspective to examining administrative and policy issues.
Graduates of our program continue to become future leaders who address complex community challenges with evidence-based, equitable, sustainable, and effective solutions in academia, government, the nonprofit, and for-profit sectors. The educational objectives and expected career paths of PAPP Ph.D. students are like other public administration and policy doctoral programs of similar size and reputation. About 75% of the PAPP students are part-time, and most students are from Texas or the local area.
DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
The PAPP Ph.D. has six required core courses, four required research courses, three elective courses in the student’s chosen emphasis area, and a minimum of nine dissertation credit hours. The six core courses address the social sciences, public policy, and public administration literatures critical to the integrative approach of the program. The methods courses include an intermediate quantitative methods course, an advanced quantitative methods course, and a qualitative methods course. The three elective courses are chosen based on the student's research interests in consultation with the faculty advisor. Descriptions of these courses are available in the
University Catalog.
Equal weight is given to social sciences and public administration with the goal of integrating them and providing context to understanding policy formation and implementation. A full-time student can expect to complete these courses within two academic years. Students are also required to take twelve hours of coursework in research methods. The courses cover theory and theory construction, research design, and quantitative and qualitative research methods. They contain the foundational knowledge over which students are tested in the written comprehensive examination. Students also declare an emphasis area through three elective courses chosen in consultation with their faculty advisor to enhance their research focus.
For more information, please complete the
information request form
Degree and Course Requirements
Required Core Courses
Course Code
Course Name
Hours
PAPP 6315
Public Administration Theory
3
PAPP 6320
Advanced Organization Theory
3
PAPP 6306
The Urban Economy
3
PAPP 6309
Intergovernmental Relations in the Administration and Public Policy
3
PAPP 6311
Advanced Public Policy Formation and Analysis
3
PAPP 6326
Public Budgeting and Finance
3
Total Hours: 18
Required Research Courses
Course Code
Course Name
Hours
PAPP 6342
Intermediate Data Analysis
3
PAPP 6344
Qualitative Methods
3
PAPP 6301
Theoretical Foundations and Ph.D. Workshop
3
PAPP 6346
Advanced Data Analysis in Urban and Public Affairs
3
Total Hours: 12
Selected Emphasis
Emphasis Area 1: Public and Nonprofit Management
Emphasis Area 2: Budget, Finance, and Economic Policy
Emphasis Area 3: Policy Design and Evaluation
Emphasis Area 4: Community Development and Social Equity
Total hours: 9
Dissertation
Minimum hours: 9
HANDBOOK
PH.D. IN PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION AND PUBLIC POLICY (PAPP)
2025-2026 Edition
A guide to doctoral studies at the College of Architecture, Planning and Public Affairs (CAPPA), The University of Texas - Arlington. The PAPP Ph.D. handbook attempts to provide guidance and useful information to new and current UPPP students. We trust that your experience will be academically, professionally, and personally rewarding.
PAPP Handbook
ORIENTATION
CAPPA Ph.D. Orientation
Learn more about two doctoral degree opportunities that provide very distinct programs guided by different objectives.
CLICK TO VIEW
GRADUATE TEACHING ASSISTANTSHIPS AND SCHOLARSHIPS
Graduate Teaching Assistantship packages are available on a competitive basis to students beginning their first semester of study in UT Arlington doctoral programs. Requirements include full-time enrollment and unconditional admission.
GRADUATE ASSISTANTSHIP FORM
PhD Forms
CAPPA Diagnostic Evaluation Form
CAPPA Diagnostic and Advisory Committee Selection Form
Dissertation Defense Report
PAPP Dissertation Defense Rubric Form
CAPPA Dissertation Proposal Defense Report
CAPPA Dissertation Proposal Rubric Form
Dissertation Supervising Committee Selection Form
PAPP Milestones Agreement Form
Milestone Conditions Update Instructions
UTA Incomplete Grade Form (pdf)
Overview
Bachelor of Science in Interior Design
Student Achievement Data
Bachelor of Science in Architecture
Master of Architecture
Master of Science in Sustainable Building Technology
Faculty
Studio Culture Policy
First Year Competency
Graduate Studio Lottery
Accreditation
Overview
Bachelor of Science in Sustainable Urban Design
Master of Landscape of Architecture
Dual Master’s Degree with NTU
Design Playbook
Planter Project
Faculty
Overview
Advanced Standing MCRP Program
Master of City and Regional Planning
Dual Master Degrees
Ph.D in Urban Planning and Public Policy
Overview
Online MPA
City Cohort
On-Campus
Dual Master Degrees
Ph.D in Public Administration and Public Policy
Certificate Programs
Profile
Research Expertise
Jobs and Opportunities
Doctoral Student Research
Overview
Architecture History Minor
Environmental and Sustainability Studies Minor
Urban Affairs Minor
Overview
International Program Innsbruck
Address
College of Architecture, Planning and Public Affairs
601 W. Nedderman Drive
Suite 203
Arlington, TX 76019-0108
Connect with us
CAPPA Facebook
CAPPA Instagram
CAPPA LinkedIn
Important Links
Give to CAPPA
News
CAPPA SharePoint
Contact