Department of Political Science
PhD in Public Administration & Public Policy

The joint doctoral program in Public Administration and Public Policy is a collaboration of Auburn University and Auburn University at Montgomery whose campuses are just 50 miles apart. Auburn University, located in a rapidly developing college town, is the land-grant academic institution of Alabama. Auburn University at Montgomery is located in the Montgomery area, which serves as the capital city of the state of Alabama. Together, Auburn University and Auburn University at Montgomery serve the state of Alabama and neighboring areas in the Southeast.

In times demanding change, the joint doctoral program in Public Administration and Public Policy prepares students to become a vital part of both academia and government. The faculty at both campuses share their knowledge and expertise transforming students into confident scholars, researchers and policy leaders.

The degree requires a total of seventy-five (75) credit hours beyond an undergraduate degree. The program requires forty-nine (49) credit hours of Ph.D. coursework: 14 courses (39 credit hours) and 10 dissertation hours. Students must take one-third of the credit hours required for the program at each campus, and faculty members from each campus serve on a student’s dissertation committee. The curriculum includes six required core courses, plus seven electives. The required core courses include Seminar in Public Administration, Seminar in Public Policy, Research Design, Quantitative Methods, Qualitative Methods and Professional Development Seminar Part I and II. Other methodology courses are strongly recommended. Students take additional elective coursework in two field areas of their choice. See the Ph.D. director for additional course advising. 

Once the core, elective, and dissertation hours are complete, the remaining course hours needed to reach 75 total hours will be transferred in from a related master’s degree.

Ph.D. elective courses may be found in the AU course schedule on AU Access or AUM course schedule. A full listing of courses may be found in the AU Bulletin and AUM Graduate Catalog. Students, with the approval of their advisor, may also take electives in other departments depending on their chosen area of specialization.

The information on this website covers a wide range of topics for prospective and current students. For additional information related to the doctoral program feel free to contact the program director. For procedural questions relating to application submission, please contact Belinda Marable at Belinda.Marable@auburn.edu.