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Professional Doctorate in Public Administration (Research) (385JA.1)
Please note these are the 2025 details for this course
| Selection rank | Delivery mode | Location | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| PG | On campus |
Bruce, Canberra |
4.0 years |
| Faculty | Discipline(s) | Available teaching periods | UAC code |
| Faculty of Business, Government & Law | Canberra School of Politics, Economics and Society |
View teaching periods | |
| Fees | English language requirements | ||
|
|
View requirements | ||
English language requirements
An IELTS Academic score of 6.5 overall, with no band score below 6.0 (or equivalent).
Delivery mode
Blended: Mixture of online and on campus units are available.
On campus: Units are delivered on campus.
Online: All units are online.
Online Plus: Units are available online, except where attendance at a physical location is required for placement or professional accreditation.
Location
All course material is developed and delivered via the location listed. Online units do not require on campus attendance.
Selection rank
The selection rank is the minimum ATAR plus adjustment factors required for admission to the program in the previous year. This is an indicative guide only as ranks change each year depending on demand.
Fees disclaimer
Annual fee rates
The fees shown are the annual fee rates for the course. The annual rate is the fee that applies to standard full-time enrolment, which is 24 credit points. The final fee charged is based on the proportion of 24 credit points in which a student enrols. Students enrolled in a Commonwealth Support Place (CSP) are required to make a contribution towards the cost of their education, which is set by the Commonwealth Government. Information on Commonwealth Supported Places, HECS-HELP and how fees are calculated can be found here.
Please note: Course fees are assessed annually and are subject to change.
| Academic entry requirements | Delivery mode | Location | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| On campus |
Bruce, Canberra |
4.0 years | |
| Faculty | Discipline(s) | Available teaching periods | CRICOS code |
| Faculty of Business, Government & Law | Canberra School of Politics, Economics and Society |
View teaching periods | 099087C |
| Fees | English language requirements | ||
|
|
View requirements | ||
Fees disclaimer
Annual fee rates
The fees shown are the annual fee rates for the course. The annual rate is the fee that applies to standard full-time enrolment, which is 24 credit points. The final fee charged is based on the proportion of 24 credit points in which a student enrols. Information on how fees are calculated can be found here.
Please note: Course fees are assessed annually and are subject to change.
Delivery mode
Blended: Mixture of online and on campus units are available.
On campus: Units are delivered on campus.
Online: All units are online.
Online Plus: Units are available online, except where attendance at a physical location is required for placement or professional accreditation.
English language requirements
An IELTS Academic score of 6.5 overall, with no band score below 6.0 (or equivalent).
Location
All course material is developed and delivered via the location listed. Online units do not require on campus attendance.
Academic entry requirements
To study at UC, you’ll need to meet our academic entry requirements and any admission requirements specific to your course. Please read your course admission requirements below. To find out whether you meet UC’s academic entry requirements, visit our academic entry requirements page.
Research a professional practice issue in public administration
If you are a public administration professional, this course will see you extend and build upon your professional experience via a combination of coursework, a relevant choice of electives and a research dissertation. You will undertake advanced study and reflection on theory and practice in the professional field of public administration and public policy, while drawing on, and extending, your professional experience and expertise.
As a doctoral student, you will choose a real-world public administration problem to explore as a research project and will be encouraged to do so in the context of your own workplace, organisation or community. You will graduate from the program having made a unique contribution to professional practice in the field of public administration and ready to progress your career to the next level. As a Higher Degree by Research (HDR), this course is covered under the Australian Government's Research Training Program (RTP) funding model, which provides a fee offset for domestic students for the standard duration of the course.
Study a Professional Doctorate in Public Administration (Research) at UC and you will:
•
undertake coursework that develops knowledge and skill in research methodology and research methods
•
develop the research, writing and analysis skills which enable you to produce a dissertation which is an original and significant contribution to the relevant literature and/or professional practice
•
prepare a substantial dissertation which adds to existing knowledge and forms an in-depth investigation and analysis of a particular professional issue
•
initiate closer links between the University and senior professionals in fields associated with public administration and public policy.
Work Integrated Learning
A professional doctorate is, by its very nature, the embodiment of Work Integrated Learning (WIL), and is much more focused on professional practice than a traditional PhD. Throughout your coursework and specifically in your dissertation, you will be encouraged to apply your existing professional knowledge and undertake new research to identify and explore a real-world problem in the field of public administration.
Career opportunities
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Academic
•
Lecturer
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Sessional academic
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Senior research officer
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Senior research fellow
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Administration director
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Administrative services director
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Public servant
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Senior policy officer
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Project officer
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Senior analyst
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Program director
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Strategic adviser
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Consultant
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International diplomat
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Indigenous program director
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Human resources director
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Industrial relations director
Course-specific information
Before a candidate is admitted to the Professional Doctorate in Public Administration program, the University must be satisfied that it is able to supervise the candidate's proposed dissertation, and that the candidate satisfies the following admission requirements:
a)
holds at minimum a bachelor’s degree and a post-bachelor honours year by research, or a master’s or graduate diploma degree of one to two years’ full-time duration in a relevant field, with a Credit or greater average, and evidence of having performed in subjects relevant to the proposed study at Distinction level or above
b)
has five years of professional practice in a relevant area
c)
provides evidence of superior legal professional performance both intellectually and technically
d)
provides evidence of capacity for independent research under the guidance of a supervisory panel at a doctoral level, and relevant professional development
e)
provides evidence of superior professional performance, both intellectually and technically.
A requirement for proceeding to the research component of the degree is completion of the coursework component of the degree, and the acceptance and approval of a research proposal and plan by the course convener.
There are non-standard English language requirements for this course. To be eligible, you must have an academic IELTS or equivalent of 6.5 with no band score below 6.0. Students who have undertaken all their education in an English-speaking country (as defined on the UC website) are deemed to have met our English language proficiency requirements.
Domestic students who are accepted on this course are provided for under the Australian Government's Research Training Program (RTP) funding model, which provides a fee offset for the standard duration of the course. Once your RTP entitlement is consumed, you will be charged the annual fee rate that applied at the start of your degree. Further information on fees for Higher Degree by Research (HDR) students can be found here.
Before a candidate is admitted to the Doctor of Public Administration, the Faculty must be satisfied that it is able to supervise the candidate's proposed dissertation and that the candidate satisfies the following admission requirements:
(a) holds at minimum a Bachelor degree and a post-Bachelor Honours year by research, or a Master or Graduate Diploma degree of 1 to 2 years full-time duration in a relevant field with a credit or greater average and evidence of having performed in some subjects relevant to the proposed study at Distinction level or above;
(b) has five years of professional practice in a relevant area;
(c) provides evidence of capacity for independent research under the guidance of a supervisory panel at the doctoral level and relevant professional development; and
(d) provides evidence of superior professional performance both intellectually and technically.
A requirement for proceeding to the research component of the degree is completion of the coursework component of the degree and the acceptance and approval of a research proposal and research plan by the course convener.
Assumed knowledge
None.
Periods course is open for new admissions
| Year | Location | Teaching period | Teaching start date | Domestic | International |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Bruce, Canberra | Research Semester 2 | |||
| 2025 | Bruce, Canberra | Research Semester 1 | |||
| 2026 | Bruce, Canberra | Research Semester 2 | |||
| 2026 | Bruce, Canberra | Research Semester 1 |
Credit arrangements
There are currently no formal credit transfer arrangements for entry to this course. Any previous study or work experience will only be considered as part of the application process in accordance with current course rules and university policy.
Professional Doctorate in Public Administration (Research) (385JA) | 72 credit points
Coursework Units - Must pass 6 credit points from the following
- - Postgrad Level, selected from Masters or Grad Dip, with the approval of the dissertation Supervisor & Course Convener. Units will be assessed according to their relevance to the proposed dissertation.
Candidates are also required to complete a Research Education Program to acquire the generic skills & attributes identified as appropriate for graduates of postgraduate research programs at UC.
In addition to course requirements, in order to successfully complete your course you must meet the inherent requirements. Please refer to the inherent requirements statement applicable to your course
UC - Canberra, Bruce
Year 1
Year 2
Year 3
Year 4
Course duration
Standard: 4 years full-time or equivalent. Maximum: 8 years.
Learning outcomes
| Learning outcomes | Related graduate attributes |
|---|---|
| Coursework that develops knowledge and skill in research methodology and research methods; | . |
| Development of research, writing and analysis skills which enable students to produce a dissertation which constitutes an original and significant contribution to the relevant literature and/or to professional practice; | . |
| Preparation of a substantial dissertation which adds to existing knowledge and constitutes an in-depth investigation and analysis of a particular professional issue or set of issues; and | . |
| Bridging the gap between theory and practice by developing closer links between the University and senior professionals in fields associated with public administration and public policy. | . |
Awards
| Award | Official abbreviation |
|---|---|
| Doctor of Public Administration | DPA |
Enrolment data
2023 enrolments for this course by location. Please note that enrolment numbers are indicative only and in no way reflect individual class sizes.
| Location | Enrolments |
|---|---|
| UC - Canberra, Bruce | 1 |
Enquiries
| Student category | Contact details |
|---|---|
| Current & Prospective Students | Faculty of Business, Government and Law BGLHDR@canberra.edu.au |
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