Overview

The Public Affairs program builds on a set of four foundational core courses that explore the intellectual history of public administration, the principal theories of public organizational theory and behavior, the public policy process, including policy formulation and implementation, and advanced public policy analysis.

Students at the University of Central Florida will appreciate and apply an understanding of social, economic, political, and technological factors that shape governance through formal and informal processes and actions.

Careers

Students seeking advancement within public agencies or nonprofit organizations can choose a mix of electives, including course work from other UCF programs, while those seeking to teach at the college or university level will focus on elective courses within their discipline.

More specifically, the graduates of this doctoral program will demonstrate the ability to: 1) attain and apply knowledge and understanding of the complex relationships that characterize public affairs and policy; 2) conduct and lead original research, 3) become professional individuals either in academia or in other positions related to public administration, public affairs, and policy.

Programme Structure

Courses include:

Intellectual History of Public Administration
Public Policy Processes and Theory
Public Organization Theory and Behavior
Advanced Public Policy Analysis
Advanced Research Design for Public Administration and Policy
Quantitative Methods for Public Administration & Policy
Advanced Qualitative Methods for Public Administration and Policy

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 84 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2026-08-19 00:00:00
- Apply before 2025-12-01 00:00:00 , International
- Apply before 2026-02-01 00:00:00 , National

Language

English

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Credits

57 SCH

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

Orlando, United States

Disciplines

Public Administration Public Policy View 95 other PhDs in Public Policy in United States

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Academic requirements

GPA

3.5

GRE^®

Required

English requirements

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Other requirements

General requirements

One official transcript (in a sealed envelope) from each college/university attended for both bachelors and master’s degrees showing a GPA of 3.5 or better in both degrees.
Official, competitive GRE score taken within the last five years, is required;
A personal statement of 1000 words or less. The statement should also indicate how the applicant’s research and career interests fit with those of the current faculty;
Three letters of recommendation from professors or professionals who can assess the applicant’s ability to succeed in a research-oriented doctoral program;
A current resume;
At least one writing sample, i.e., academic paper, report, etc.
Evidence of adequate background in Calculus.
Applicants to this program who have attended a college/university outside the United States must provide a course-by-course credential evaluation with GPA calculation.

Student insurance

Make sure to cover your health, travel, and stay while studying abroad. Even global coverages can miss important items, so make sure your student insurance ticks all the following:

Additional medical costs (i.e. dental)
Repatriation, if something happens to you or your family
Liability
Home contents and baggage
Accidents
Legal aid

We partnered with Aon to provide you with the best affordable student insurance, for a carefree experience away from home.

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Remember, countries and universities may have specific insurance requirements. To learn more about how student insurance work at University of Central Florida and/or in United States, please visit Student Insurance Portal.

Tuition Fee

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International

21508 USD/year

Tuition Fee

Based on the tuition of 21508 USD per year during 84 months.
National

21508 USD/year

Tuition Fee

Based on the tuition of 21508 USD per year during 84 months.
In-State

6664 USD/year

Tuition Fee

Based on the tuition of 6664 USD per year during 84 months.

Living costs for Orlando

1111 - 1939 USD /month

Living costs

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Funding

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Scholarships Information

Below you will find PhD's scholarship opportunities for Public Affairs.

Available Scholarships

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