Doctor of Public Administration (DPA)

The surge of the COVID-19 pandemic has not only proven the need for public health workers worldwide, but also the need for professionals and public servants with leadership qualities that exemplify competence in public policy, social justice, good governance, national security, public services, research, planning and development, organizational management, consultancies, etc. It is at this juncture that experts and practitioners in the field of public administration become essential in the institutional, local, and national spheres.

Public Administration is a degree program that prepares people for careers in public administration and governance for the public interest. It is a specialized program for students who want to pursue and further their careers in government agencies, non-government and non-profit organizations, and other institutions or organizations that serve the public interest.

Since public administration requires not only knowledge but also skills among its students, there is a need to focus its curriculum on learning competency-based standards or outcomes-based education and to strengthen the core competencies expected from the graduates of the Doctor of Public Administration (DPA). The curriculum attempts to combine in-depth study with practical skills, including technology-aided systems or processes, which are essentially inherent in polytechnic universities.

The government, being the country’s largest employer, needs to have a continuing supply of competent, committed, and professional public servants, leaders, and agents of change. In dire times for the country, like the devastation of pandemics, disasters, and economic crises, graduates of public administration are indispensable. Hence, as a polytechnic university, the Polytechnic University of the Philippines must strengthen the curriculum of its DPA Program to meet the demands of the country in the 21st century and to keep pace with national and international standards.

Program Description

The Doctor of Public Administration (DPA) program at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines is a graduate program that provides advanced competencies among students. These competencies are situated in accordance with the demands of research, instruction, government agencies, non-government and non-profit organizations, and other institutions that are beneficial to the public interest in the 21st century. The program is the institutional response of the university to the increasing demands of the country for leaders, experts, and consultants.

The DPA Program of PUP trains its students to conduct research pertinent to the crafting and execution of public policies, supervising fiscal policy, initiating strategic development, realizing government programs, and managing crises and emergencies. It also prepares its students to teach the next generation of instructors, researchers, and practitioners in the field. Through research and instruction, the program aims to hone its students into public administration professionals imbued with ethical standards, sound leadership, academic integrity, and well-informed decisions.

Program Learning Outcomes

1. Demonstrate an expert understanding of the fundamentals of the study and practice of public administration and good governance;

2. Create opportunities to address the imperatives and challenges of public service in the context of Philippine and global realities;

3. Practice exemplary ethical values for public service and transmissible adherence to the principles of accountability, responsiveness, nationalism, and democracy;

4. Practice a strong sense of accountability to promote and protect public interest, especially for the depressed and marginalized communities;

5. Exhibit expert skills in management, including planning, implementation, monitoring, and human, material, and resource management for government and civil society organizations;

6. Engage in complex and multifaceted scientific policy, planning, and implementation research vital for local, national, and global decision-making; and

7. Display responsiveness and resiliency through mastered life skills and multiple intelligences toward lifelong learning

Job Targets

The DPA Program of PUP prepares its graduate students for collegiate instruction, critical research, consulting, and executive positions in governments, non-government, and non-profit organizations, including supervisory positions in other institutions and international organizations.

Target Positions

Executives and consultants in national and local government institutions including government-owned and controlled corporations;

• Elective positions in local and national government;

• Professors and administrators in academic institutions;

• Executives in international organizations based in the Philippines or abroad;

• Lead researchers for policy-based programs of the national government;   

• Development or program managers of large voluntary sectors and non-government and non-profit organizations; and

• Policy and project analyst or implementor of the national government.