The doctoral degree in public administration offered by the University of Kentucky through the Martin School of Public Policy and Administration is an academic credential of the highest order. Offered since 1988, the degree prepares scholars and leaders for distinguished contributions to public service. Students are expected to attend full‐time.
The Ph.D. program is designed to provide knowledge of the principles of organizational behavior and administrative decision making in public and quasi‐public organizations; an understanding of the public policy process, including the interrelationships of economic, political and social factors that facilitate and constrain change; an ability to apply research and analytical methods to the analysis of policy and administrative problems; and an in‐depth understanding of policy issues and analytical approaches in a functional public affairs area.
Course work toward the Ph.D. in Public Administration is divided into four phases with a total requirement of 42 hours of graduate course work beyond the master’s level as well as the completion and successful defense of a dissertation of original research. Course work includes 12 credit hours of core courses, 9 hours of research methods, 3 hours of microeconomics, 3 additional hours of theory, and 15 hours in the area of concentration.
2011 - 2012 Ph.D Student Handbook (.pdf)
Student Forms can be found here
Alumni Disssertation Titles can be found here
Required Course Work
Examinations
Dissertation
Martin School Admissions
Graduate School Admissions
Core Curriculum (12 hours)
PA 731: Fiscal/Budgetary Policy
PA 742: Theory of Public Organizations
PA 751: Public Policy Formulation and Implementation
PA 752: Economics of Policy Analysis
Theory (6 hours)
PA 750: Introduction to Economics for Public Policy
Area of Concentration (15 hours)
Public Financial Management
Health Policy
Public Policy
Core Examination
Upon completing the four core courses, each student will take an examination
over the material. A written examination, which lasts four hours and is
administered by the Director of Graduate Studies, includes a series of questions
developed by the faculty teaching the core courses. The written portion
of the core examination is followed by an oral examination before the Director
of Graduate Studies and selected Martin School faculty. The core examination
is conducted early in the fall semester of each academic year. Students
failing the exam are allowed a second attempt. Those failing on the second
attempt must withdraw from the program.
Qualifying Examination - Written
The University requires that all PhD students pass a qualifying examination
before they can be admitted to candidacy for the degree. In the Martin School,
the written qualifying examination consists of three papers on topics approved
by the advisory committee. The papers should be completed in a manner that
demonstrates integration of theory, policy issues, and research capabilities,
and should be of professional quality. This examination process is initiated
only upon written certification by the Director of Graduate Studies that
all Graduate School and Martin School requirements have been met.
Qualifying Examination - Oral
An oral examination follows completion of the three assigned papers. As
the final part of the qualifying examination, all of the formal Graduate
School requirements for scheduling, reporting, and recording must be satisfied
before the candidate can take the oral exam. Students must have completed
the language and/or skills requirements, resolved all incompletes in course
work, and completed all pre-qualifying requirements.
Following successful completion of the qualifying examination, the student must defend a dissertation prospectus before his or her advisory committee. The oral defense must take place within 90 days of completion of all parts of the qualifying examination. Failure to defend a prospectus successfully within this time period will result in a loss of financial assistance. Any student who fails to defend a prospectus within one year of the qualifying examination will be excused from the PhD program.
The dissertation must constitute a work of original research that makes a significant contribution to the field of study. The dissertation is prepared under the direction of the student's advisor and advisory committee.
Each completed dissertation must be defended before a final examination committee appointed by the Dean of the Graduate School. The dissertation defense, or final examination, is oral and usually lasts about two hours. In addition to defending the completed dissertation, the student is expected to demonstrate an understanding of the discipline of which the dissertation is a part and a thorough understanding of the context of the dissertation.
Martin School Admissions Instructions
The Martin School requires the following information for your application:
1) Three letters of recommendation
2) A one to three page statement explaining why
you wish to pursue a graduate degree
3) Martin School official application form (.pdf)
4) Writing Sample (optional)
Please send all information to:
Sarah O. Lee, Student Services
Martin School of Public Policy and Administration
413 Patterson Office Tower
University of Kentucky
Lexington, KY 40506-0027
Phone: (859) 257-5594
Fax: (859) 323-1937
Email: solee@uky.edu
Graduate School Admissions Instructions
The Graduate School requires the following additional information:
1) The Graduate School application and fee
2) Your official GRE or GMAT scores
3) Two official transcripts from all universities attended
(an undergraduate grade point average of at least 2.75 and a graduate grade point average of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale are required as minimums)
4) Official TOEFL scores (for international students only)
Please send to:
The Graduate School
University of Kentucky
Gillis Building
Lexington, KY 40506-0033
Email: Cyndy Clark, cyndy.clark@uky.edu
Website: Graduate School Website
Now that I have been admitted and decided to attend the Martin School what do I need to know?
Click here for information for incoming Martin School Students