Twin Cities campus

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Twin Cities Campus

Public Affairs, Ph.D.

HHH Administration
Hubert H. Humphrey School of Public Affairs
Link to a list of faculty for this program.
Contact Information
Hubert H. Humphrey School of Public Affairs, University of Minnesota, 301 19th Avenue S, Minneapolis, MN 55455 (612-624-3800; fax: 612-626-0002)
  • Program Type: Doctorate
  • Requirements for this program are current for Fall 2020
  • Length of program in credits: 66
  • This program does not require summer semesters for timely completion.
  • Degree: Doctor of Philosophy
Along with the program-specific requirements listed below, please read the General Information section of this website for requirements that apply to all major fields.
The doctor of philosophy (PhD) in public affairs offers students opportunities for rigorous, advanced study in the areas of public affairs, policy analysis, and planning. The goal of the PhD program is to train researchers who will enter academia or join highly respected public or nonprofit institutions involved in cutting edge research in public affairs, policy, planning, and management. Successful applicants to the program will be clear about the research they wish to undertake and why they think the Humphrey School is the best place to do that research. Students are expected to make original theoretical, methodological, or substantive contributions in the area of their specialization (sub-plans). Sub-plans are offered in public policy; urban planning; management and governance; and science, technology, and environmental policy. Students will be expected to complete the degree program within five years.
Program Delivery
  • via classroom (the majority of instruction is face-to-face)
Prerequisites for Admission
The preferred undergraduate GPA for admittance to the program is 3.50.
Other requirements to be completed before admission:
The general requirement is the capability to pursue PhD-level work. Typically, an applicant should have an academic record from a recognized college that includes undergraduate coursework in microeconomics and mathematics (either calculus, statistics, or algebra).
Special Application Requirements:
A complete application will include a U of MN graduate application, a personal statement that includes motivation for pursuing doctoral studies, a resume or C.V., transcripts, GRE scores, a writing sample, TOEFL scores (if applicable), and at least three letters of recommendation.
Applicants must submit their test score(s) from the following:
  • GRE
International applicants must submit score(s) from one of the following tests:
  • TOEFL
    • Internet Based - Total Score: 100
    • Paper Based - Total Score: 600
  • IELTS
    • Total Score: 7.0
The preferred English language test is Test of English as Foreign Language.
Key to test abbreviations (GRE, TOEFL, IELTS).
For an online application or for more information about graduate education admissions, see the General Information section of this website.
Program Requirements
42 credits are required in the major.
24 thesis credits are required.
This program may be completed with a minor.
Use of 4xxx courses towards program requirements is not permitted.
A minimum GPA of 3.00 is required for students to remain in good standing.
At least 1 semesters must be completed before filing a Degree Program Form.
Practical teaching experience: Each candidate must complete training in pedagogy and a teaching experience as a course instructor or teaching assistant (TA) with instructional responsibilities. The pedagogical training may take place prior to or concurrent with the teaching experience. Evidence of English-speaking proficiency is required prior to the teaching experience. Dissertation requirement: Each candidate must complete original academic research and fulfill a dissertation requirement by completing either an academic thesis or three related academic papers that are judged by the student's committee to be of publishable quality.
Core Courses (12 credits)
Take the following courses. Take PA 8006 twice for a total of 3 credits.
PA 8003 - Integrative Doctoral Seminar in Public Affairs I (3.0 cr)
PA 8004 - Integrative Doctoral Seminar in Public Affairs II (3.0 cr)
PA 8005 - Doctoral Research Seminar in Public Affairs (3.0 cr)
PA 8006 - Current Research in Public Affairs: Topics, Approaches, and Cultures (1.5 cr)
Research Methods (12 credits)
Take 4 or more courses totaling 12 or more credits, including at least one course each in quantitative methods and qualitative methods. Courses are chosen in consultation with advisor based on student's background and research interests. Students may use previous graduate-level coursework for up to three of the four methods courses (up to 9 credits) with approval of PhD program director.
Thesis Credits
Take 24 doctoral thesis credits.
PA 8888 - Thesis Credit: Doctoral (1.0-24.0 cr)
Program Sub-plans
Students are required to complete one of the following sub-plans.
Students may not complete the program with more than one sub-plan.
Management and Governance
Required Courses (6 credits)
Take the following courses:
PA 8106 {Inactive} (3.0 cr)
PA 5012 - The Politics of Public Affairs (3.0 cr)
Electives (12 credits)
Select 12 credits in the area of public and nonprofit leadership and management. Courses are chosen in consultation with advisor based on student's background and research interests.
Public Policy
The public policy sub-plan is a self-designed set of topic-based courses (minimum 18 credits) determined by the student and advisor with the consent of the other faculty in the sub-plan area.
Science, Technology, and Environmental Policy
The science, technology, and environmental policy sub-plan is a self-designed set of topic-based courses (minimum 18 credits) determined by the student and advisor with the consent of the other faculty in the sub-plan area.
Urban Planning
Students must demonstrate proficiency in GIS.
Required Courses (6 credits)
Take the following courses:
PA 8206 - Planning Theory (3.0 cr)
PA 5204 {Inactive} (3.0 cr)
Electives (12 credits)
Select 12 credits in consultation with the advisor.
 
More program views..
View college catalog(s):
· Hubert H. Humphrey School of Public Affairs

View future requirement(s):
· Fall 2023
· Fall 2022
· Spring 2022
· Fall 2021
· Spring 2021

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PA 8003 - Integrative Doctoral Seminar in Public Affairs I
Credits: 3.0 [max 6.0]
Grading Basis: A-F only
Typically offered: Every Fall
Lays foundation for doctoral-level study of public affairs through introduction of key concepts, literature, research questions of public affairs. Critically examines paradigms/methodologies through readings, discussions, writing assignments, research presentations. Facilitates development of dissertation research ideas. prereq: Public Affairs doctoral student
PA 8004 - Integrative Doctoral Seminar in Public Affairs II
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: A-F only
Typically offered: Every Spring
Continues PA 8003. Lays foundation for doctoral-level study of public affairs through introduction of key concepts, literature, research questions of public affairs. Critically examines paradigms/methodologies through readings, discussions, writing assignments, research presentations. Facilitates development of dissertation research ideas. prereq: Public Affairs doctoral student
PA 8005 - Doctoral Research Seminar in Public Affairs
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Prerequisites: Public Affairs doctoral student
Grading Basis: A-F only
Typically offered: Every Spring
Conduct of research, including ethics. Students develop and refine their research ideas. Facilitates development of dissertation research prospectus. prereq: Public Affairs doctoral student
PA 8006 - Current Research in Public Affairs: Topics, Approaches, and Cultures
Credits: 1.5 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: S-N only
Typically offered: Every Fall & Spring
Students participate in research seminars exploring current topics, approaches, and cultures in public affairs. Students responsible for discussion, presentation, and evaluation of research, including peer review of papers and presentations. Discussion of research ethics and skills, including literature reviews, research design, data visualization, public engagement, presentation, and project management.
PA 8888 - Thesis Credit: Doctoral
Credits: 1.0 -24.0 [max 100.0]
Grading Basis: No Grade
Typically offered: Every Fall, Spring & Summer
Doctoral thesis credit. prereq: [Max 18 cr per semester or summer], 24 cr required
PA 5012 - The Politics of Public Affairs
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Every Fall & Spring
Politics is how we make collective decisions about matters of shared consequence. This course examines politics and introduces students to key concepts and skills needed for effective political analysis. The central themes of the course focus on power; institutions and organizations; discourse; and citizenship.
PA 8206 - Planning Theory
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: A-F only
Typically offered: Periodic Spring
An overview of the major theories that have shaped the field of urban and regional planning, including the analysis of theories related to the process and substance of urban planning. prereq: Public Affairs Ph.D. student, urban planning subplan