Ph.D. in Public Administration

Tuition comes to 8,520 USD per year.

This doctoral program focuses on urban management and the analysis of social systems, emphasizing public administration principles like policy making, planning, analysis, evaluation, and program implementation. Students gain knowledge in urban problems, urban minorities, and urban development, preparing them for advanced roles in public and non-profit sectors.

Focus areas include urban management, program management, policy analysis, environmental management, planning, policy.

The program requires 60 credit hours, comprising 48 hours of coursework (24 core, 12 urban management concentration, 12 elective concentration) and 12 dissertation credits, along with qualifying and comprehensive examinations and dissertation defense.

Graduates pursue careers in executive management, teaching, research, forecasting, policy analysis, urban planning, and management consulting within public and non-profit organizations.

Applicants need a graduate degree with a GPA of 3.5+, three letters of recommendation, a statement of professional goals, and two writing samples. International students require TOEFL (550 paper/69 IBT), IELTS (6.5), or PTE-A (53) scores. A personal interview may be required.

The programme totals about 60 credit hours. For international students, tuition is well below the median for US programmes. The institution admits about 91% of applicants.

Research and interdisciplinary collaboration are central to Jackson State University, a Carnegie-classified high research university in Jackson, Mississippi. Its research activity includes the Center for Health Disparities Research and the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, with more than $25.8 million in funding each year. Students and faculty develop new technologies and pursue work connected to health, innovation, and entrepreneurship. Learning extends into the lab, the community, and the wider world.

Students can choose from more than 90 programs across arts and humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, engineering, and professional fields. Academic offerings include biology tracks in environmental science, marine science, and several pre-professional areas, along with biomedical engineering, chemistry, business administration, accounting, art graphic design, and art studio. The university's colleges include Education and Human Development, Health Sciences, Liberal Arts, Science, Engineering and Technology, and Business. A 15:1 student-to-faculty ratio supports the academic setting.

Jackson State's campus life connects study with the traditions of a public HBCU. Students can attend Tiger football games and hear the Sonic Boom of the South, while the city of Jackson offers a historic setting beyond campus. International students can expect an education that encourages global leadership, interdisciplinary learning, internships, fellowships, and professional opportunities. Financial aid grants reach 85% of undergraduates, and 13 JSU Fulbright Scholars are listed among student outcomes.