The College of Urban Planning and Public Affairs (CUPPA) was established in 1994 with the merger of the Department of Urban Planning and Policy and the Department of Public Administration. The Department of Public Administration hosts a Masters in Public Administration (MPA) program and the only Ph.D. program in Public Administration in the state of Illinois.

The doctoral program in the Department of Public Administration is designed in accordance with the "Policy on Doctoral Education in Public Affairs/Administration" of the National Association of Schools of Public Affairs/Administration which states:

Doctoral programs in public administration should prepare students to undertake significant research in their subsequent careers, whether in government, academic life, or other settings: the capacity to do significant research, rather than access to a particular career setting, is the appropriate goal of doctoral training... Whether in governmental, academic or other career settings, holders of the doctorate add to the ranks of those who are able to generate and share knowledge of public administration and its related fields...

The goal of doctoral training is [to equip] individuals to add to knowledge of public administration and related fields through disciplined research. When practicing professionals undertake the doctorate they should recognize the need to demonstrate substantial research skills and to interact with a research faculty on a continuing basis as they design and execute their dissertation projects.

Current Offered Specializations:

• Public Management and Organizations
  All PhD students selecting this area of specialization are required to take PA 527, Public Management Theory
• Financial Management
  All PhD students selecting this area of specialization are required to take PA 554, Advanced Seminar in Financial Management.
• Science and Technology Policy
  All PhD students selecting this area of specialization are required to take PA 464, Technology and Innovation Theory and PA 466, Science, Technology and Public Policy.
• Survey Methods
  All PhD students selecting this area of specialization are required to take PA 578, Surveys, Public Opinion and Public Policy.

The Department of Public Administration will guarantee four-year funding to a limited number of incoming PhD students who meet high standards on their application.  The department will assess students’ GRE scores, GPA, letters of recommendation, personal statement, resume, and writing sample in making the award.  Students who receive the award will be guaranteed the following:

1st year:     A scholarship of one-quarter time funding ($10,000 per year). 

2nd year:   A one-quarter time assistantship (10 hours per week).

3rd year:    A one-half time assistantship (20 hours a week).
                  
4th year:    A one-half time assistantship (20 hours a week)

Students must pass their comprehensive exams by the end of year 3.
Payment of tuition and tuition differential are guaranteed to any student who receives an assistantship through the Department of Public Administration.  Also, students who receive this award may supplement their funding in years one and two with an assistantship worth an additional one-quarter time to receive a total 50% appointment in each year, but this additional funding is not guaranteed.  All funding appointments are for 9 months.