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Public Administration
In this specialization, you will have the opportunity to develop skills in gathering, analyzing and applying data to business decisions. You will explore human resources management, accounting, urban politics and policy analysis, with an emphasis contemporary program evaluation, complex public organization, and environmental compliance, along with strategies needed to meet the challenges in government management at the local, state and federal levels. As a graduate, you may choose to pursue management roles in the nonprofit and government sectors in areas such as budgeting, program evaluation, research analysis and economic development.
General Degree Requirements
Admission to the Doctorate programs requires a master's degree from an accredited institution.
The University may accept a maximum of 9 semester credit hours in transfer toward the doctoral degree for graduate coursework completed at an accredited college or university with a grade of "B" or better.
Completion Period for Doctoral Degrees
Northcentral University allows 7 years to complete all doctoral programs of 60 credits or less. Normal time to complete varies depending upon course take rate and credits transferred in.
Foundational Competencies for DBA Programs
- Graduate-Level Research Methods Competency - DBA students are required to complete BTM7102 and BTM7103, BTM7109 and either BTM7108 or BTM7106 at Northcentral.
- Graduate-Level Statistics Competency - DBA students are required to complete BTM7104 Business Statistics at Northcentral.
- Computer Competency - Doctoral students are required to have computer skills necessary for completing a dissertation. Students must be able to prepare documents using advanced word processing skills (e.g., creation of tables and figures, headers and footers, page breaks, tables of contents, hanging indents). Students must use computer programs for the statistical analysis of data (e.g., SAS). Students must produce a computer-based presentation (e.g., PowerPoint) for their dissertation oral defense.
Course Length
All new students enrolling in the Doctor of Business Administration program are automatically enrolled in courses that are eight weeks in length. All eight-week courses are indicated by a "-8" (dash eight) at the end of the course code.
Course Code | Name | Course Description |
|---|---|---|
Specialization Course 1 | ||
BTM7102, BTM7102-8 | Business Research Methodology | This Doctoral level course provides students with an overview of the research process, and an opportunity to learn about business research methodology and the components of a dissertation. The course will also provide the student with the opportunity to identify and develop a research topic, define a research problem, describe the purpose of the research study, and establish associated research question(s). The student will prepare a Topic Paper and a preliminary annotated bibliography for the dissertation topic in the Signature Assignment. |
Specialization Course 2 | ||
BTM7103, BTM7103-8 | Research Design | In this course, the Student acquires the basic skills necessary for the interpretation and application of quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods research. The student will examine the formal research process carefully, with an emphasis on practical applications and skill development. Critical concepts and principles intrinsic to research paradigms, study designs, and methods of inquiry are presented to empower the students ability to formulate and respond to research questions. The resources listed below from the Northcentral University Dissertation Center are critical resources throughout the whole research process students are highly encouraged to become deeply familiar with the resources from the Northcentral University Dissertation Center. |
Specialization Course 3 | ||
Specialization Course 4 | ||
BTM7106, BTM7106-8 | Quantitative Research Design | Quantitative Research Design - Prerequisites :BTM7102, BTM7104 A few months prior to this course, students must consult with their Academic Advisors to consider whether the alternate course on Qualitative Research Design (BTM7108/BTM7108-8) might better suit their plans for a dissertation. This course is an examination of qualitative methods for studying human behavior including grounded theory, narrative analysis, ethnography, mixed methods, and case studies. |
Specialization Course 5 | ||
BTM7109, BTM7109-8 | Planning Dissertation Research in Business | Students in this course will begin the process of writing a dissertation for a research or professional doctorate. The course will address the University dissertation process and aids to successfully complete a dissertation, including self-care and time management. |
Course Code | Name | Course Description |
|---|---|---|
BTM7101, BTM7101-8 | Foundations for Doctoral Study In Business | This course is an orientation to Northcentral University and to the essential skills needed to pursue a doctoral degree in Business. Doctoral level skills, such as academic integrity, time management, effective use of the Northcentral Library, comprehending complex scholarly texts and research articles, and APA form and style in professional communication are also introduced. Students will complete the course with a better understanding of personal goals, strengths, and challenges, and a roadmap to navigate their way to completion of their educational aspirations. |
MGT7019, MGT7019-8 | Ethics in Business | No longer are ethics and social responsibility, including the green movement, something organizations can ignore or do "if they have funding left over at the end of the year. Ethics are required by local, state and federal legislation and today, more than ever, stakeholders at organizations are being held accountable for their actions and societal harm. Doctoral students in this course, through a series of essays and papers, will learn about current laws and their application to business; and how to maintain an ethical perspective within the context of a global framework. |
SKS7000, SKS7000-8 | Doctoral Comprehensive Strategic Knowledge Studies | Students will analyze and apply knowledge in 12 business areas necessary to address a wide variety of business-related situations. The focus of the course is demonstrating core proficiencies in the following business areas: Marketing, Business Finance, Accounting, Management, Legal Environment of Business, Economics, Business Ethics, Global Dimensions of Business, Information Systems, Quantitative Techniques and Statistics, Leadership, and Business Applications. The intent is not to introduce these core business concepts, but rather to verify a graduate-level threshold competency within each. The course includes a comprehensive case study that will allow students to demonstrate their competency within all 12 professional component areas. |
BTM7104, BTM7104-8 | Statistics I | This course provides an introductory exploration of statistics for the doctoral student. It includes instruction on the calculation, use, and interpretation of descriptive statistics, and introduces inferential statistical analysis. The emphasis of this course is on providing a working knowledge of basic statistical concepts to help the Student understand statistical methodology used in education, and also more generally, developing a working knowledge of statistical usage in everyday life. |
Course Code | Name | Course Description |
|---|---|---|
HRM7000-8 | Human Resources Management | This Doctoral level course focuses on the development of the human resource function in organizations. While understanding and management of human behavior within organizations is necessary for optimal organizational effectiveness and individual performance, strategic planning to achieve organizational goals through the human resource function is recognized. |
PUB7000-8 | Public Administration | This doctoral course provides the student an opportunity to examine major ideas, developments, and figures in the field of American public administration. The course utilizes a historical approach to understanding the contextual influences of thinkers and movements related to public administration. Doctoral students will compare and contrast historical and current trends, and analyze the development of modern public administration and conditions affecting social, political, and applied management theories. |
PUB7002-8 | Administrative Law | This doctoral course is a survey in administrative law, with the principal focus being on state and federal laws. Course objectives include the synthesis and evaluation of administrative due process, adjudication, judicial review actions, and the Freedom of Information Act. Students will be assessed on demonstrated proficiency shown through PowerPoint presentations and research papers. |
PUB7003-8 | Urban Politics | This doctoral course examines key issues in urban politics. Student will address problems, issues and solutions regarding governance, urban expansion, race, ethnicity, and culture. Students will examine reform measures to address current and future urban political issues. |
PUB7004-8 | Urban and Regional Planning | This is a doctoral course in urban planning with an integrated overview of the theory, processes, and practices of modern strategic planning in the public and nonprofit sectors. Students will explore contemporary strategies, techniques, and tactics with a focus on the application of theory and public orientation of policy formulation process at the local level. This course is designed to provide a conceptual framework and develop conceptual skills that will help students understand the role of public officials and public opinion within the broader scope of institutional planning and decision-making. |
PUB7005-8 | Public Budgeting and Finance | Budgets and financial resources are integral components of management decisions, especially within governmental entities. This Doctoral level course will examine budget formulation, implementation and execution systems, including governmental financial statements, use of modern financial management technology, and analysis and recommendation for improvements in governmental financial management. Budgeting and finance at the federal level differ from processes at the state, county, and local levels. Students will evaluate both managerial practices and politics that form budgeting and finance at the federal, state, and local levels of government. |
PUB7012-8 | Technology in Public Administration | This doctoral course explores the impact of information technology on public administration. The role of technology and the Internet in improving government operations and service delivery are the focus of the course. Students will analyze and examine key benefits, including access to government information and transactions, citizen participation, homeland and national security missions, inter and intra-agency communications, and intergovernmental communications. Students will also examine technology compliance issues regarding federal laws. |
PUB7014-8 | The U.S. Federal Government | In this Doctoral level course, students will explore the organization, function, operation, and politics of the United States Federal government. Students will examine the foundations and historical events of federalism by assessing each of the three major branches of the federal system. Students will examine the issues of liberty and civil rights as they relate to the political process. Finally, students will evaluate the role of campaigns, media, and interest groups which impact the government. |
Course Code | Name | Course Description |
|---|---|---|
DIS9401B | Doctoral Dissertation Research I | In this course sequence, students work progressively on completing each doctoral dissertation milestone toward the completion of the professional doctorate degree. These milestones include Committee and University approval of a dissertation concept paper, a dissertation proposal paper, an approved IRB application by the Northcentral University Institutional Review Board, the collection and analysis of research data, the preparation and approval of the final dissertation manuscript, and the successful completion of the oral presentation. Courses are taken continually and sequentially until all dissertation milestones have been completed. Throughout these courses, students often work independently but are required to be in communication with the Chair of their Dissertation Committee at least once a month. These courses are graded utilizing Satisfactory (S) and Unsatisfactory (U) as the grading criteria. |
DIS9402B | Doctoral Dissertation Research II | In this course sequence, students work progressively on completing each doctoral dissertation milestone toward the completion of the professional doctorate degree. These milestones include Committee and University approval of a dissertation concept paper, a dissertation proposal paper, an approved IRB application by the Northcentral University Institutional Review Board, the collection and analysis of research data, the preparation and approval of the final dissertation manuscript, and the successful completion of the oral presentation. Courses are taken continually and sequentially until all dissertation milestones have been completed. Throughout these courses, students often work independently but are required to be in communication with the Chair of their Dissertation Committee at least once a month. These courses are graded utilizing Satisfactory (S) and Unsatisfactory (U) as the grading criteria. |
DIS9403B | Doctoral Dissertation Research III | In this course sequence, students work progressively on completing each doctoral dissertation milestone toward the completion of the professional doctorate degree. These milestones include Committee and University approval of a dissertation concept paper, a dissertation proposal paper, an approved IRB application by the Northcentral University Institutional Review Board, the collection and analysis of research data, the preparation and approval of the final dissertation manuscript, and the successful completion of the oral presentation. Courses are taken continually and sequentially until all dissertation milestones have been completed. Throughout these courses, students often work independently but are required to be in communication with the Chair of their Dissertation Committee at least once a month. These courses are graded utilizing Satisfactory (S) and Unsatisfactory (U) as the grading criteria. |
DIS9404B | Doctoral Dissertation Research IV | In this course sequence, students work progressively on completing each doctoral dissertation milestone toward the completion of the professional doctorate degree. These milestones include Committee and University approval of a dissertation concept paper, a dissertation proposal paper, an approved IRB application by the Northcentral University Institutional Review Board, the collection and analysis of research data, the preparation and approval of the final dissertation manuscript, and the successful completion of the oral presentation. Courses are taken continually and sequentially until all dissertation milestones have been completed. Throughout these courses, students often work independently but are required to be in communication with the Chair of their Dissertation Committee at least once a month. These courses are graded utilizing Satisfactory (S) and Unsatisfactory (U) as the grading criteria. |
At Northcentral University, we pride ourselves in being completely transparent when it comes to tuition and fees. We have adopted an all-inclusive tuition model that gives you the cost of your Doctor of Business Administration tuition and fees in one flat program rate*. The only additional cost above your DBA program rate is books. Learn more about the NCU’s DBA costs below:
- Per credit cost: $829
- Per 3 credit course cost: $2,487
- Program cost: $44,766
- Average book cost per course: $150
- Application Fee: $0
- Technology Fee: $0
- Registration Fee: $0
Click here to learn more about payment and financing options.
*Program rates are subject to change and generally increase at the start of each calendar year.
If there’s one thing we’ve learned about our students, it’s that they are motivated and ambitious—but they are also busy! At Northcentral University, we’ve designed our education experience to work with you, not against you, so you can achieve your academic goals without sacrificing the quality, flexibility and support you need to be successful.
- Regionally Accredited
- No Physical Residency Requirements
- One-to-One Teaching
- 100% Doctoral Faculty
- Flexibility of Online Learning
- University Resources
To learn more, request information or call 1-866-776-0331 or start a live chat to speak with an enrollment advisor today. We offer new courses every Monday of the year so you can get started when it’s best for you.
