Public Affairs PhD

From the Director

Thank you for your interest in our PhD in public affairs! We are committed to offering a curriculum that helps students address today’s most complex challenges. Our faculty are doing research in areas such as homelessness, immigration, emergency management, energy policy, social vulnerability, urban planning and resilience, sustainability, and much more. Students actively work with our world-class faculty on research, teaching, and program engagement opportunities. We admit students in a cohort model, so everyone has a chance to work together through program milestones. Our students go on to excellent jobs in academia, industry, and nonprofit organizations. We look forward to welcoming you to UCF Downtown as a public affairs doctoral student!

The interdisciplinary doctoral program in public affairs at UCF was established in 1998 and is based at UCF Downtown in the heart of downtown Orlando in the School of Public Administration. The program prepares students for academic appointments in colleges and universities as well as research and leadership positions in public, nonprofit and private agencies. The dynamic mix of an faculty with students from varied backgrounds creates a stimulating environment to examine many of the complex contemporary social problems communities are currently facing.

The program includes a distinguished group of faculty members who are interested in fostering collaborative and transdisciplinary perspectives to solve societal issues and problems. As a global program, the doctorate in public affairs has produced more than 30 international graduates from countries such as China, South Korea, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Armenia, South Africa, Taiwan, and Ethiopia.

What are the program requirements?

You can find the Public Administration PhD program requirements via the UCF Graduate Catalog and the Applications and Deadlines website.

Can you waive any of the application requirements?

No, we cannot waive application requirements. The College of Graduate Studies requires all applicants to have the required elements to apply.

When is the application due?

To view application deadlines and requirements, visit the College of Graduate Studies Application Deadlines and Requirements Overview page. See the 2025 due dates. Learn more about additional funding resources.

Does your program offer stipends?

Yes, the PhD program offers competitive stipends that are available on a limited basis. The college determines these allocations. Stipends are provided for three years and may be revoked based on academic and performance evaluations, per program and UCF policies. Continued funding beyond three years is not guaranteed. Learn more about other forms of graduate student funding.

Is your program offered online?

No, our PhD program is entirely offered in-person, with face-to-face classes held at UCF Downtown in the evenings.

When can students be admitted to the program?

We admit students once a year during the fall semester to maintain a cohort model.

What are your faculty research interests?

Our School of Public Administration faculty members specialize in various research areas related public affairs

Do I need a master’s degree in public administration or policy first?

No, a degree in a specific field is not required. We require a master's degree unless you apply to the dual MPA/PhD degree program.

Will I receive funding to travel to conferences?

Funding is limited based on annual budget allocations. Other funding sources are available throughout UCF, and program leaders help students find those additional sources.

Is there an interview process for applicants?

Yes, applicants making it through an initial screening process will proceed to a 15-minute interview via Zoom.

What do you look for in application materials?

We take a holistic approach to reviewing submitted application materials. Please clearly express your research interests and explain why you are interested in pursuing a PhD from the UCF School of Public Administration.

What is considered a competitive GRE score?

A GRE score of 300 or higher is considered competitive. To show evidence of a strong background in calculus, our program considers factors such as grades in master-level or equivalent mathematics courses (e.g., calculus, economics, or other quantitative methods) and a competitive quantitative GRE score.

International students must meet additional requirements. All students who have attended a college or university outside the United States need to provide a course-by-course credential evaluation with GPA calculation. In addition, international students, except those from countries where English is the only official language or those who have earned a degree from a regionally accredited U.S. college or university, must submit a score on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).

Where can I find UCF graduate fellowship opportunities?

The College of Graduate Studies at UCF awards fellowship funding each year. Learn more about UCF's fellowship opportunities.

Kyungmin Lee is a Ph.D. candidate specializing in reducing administrative burdens on government services to improve service outcomes. She explores the influence of public innovation and technology adoption's impact on organizational structure and employee behavior. Her current research investigates information sharing's effect on service provision for the homeless and her dissertation with Dr. Jeremy Hall will address three public innovations to improve service quality. Prior to her studies at UCF, Kyungmin was a research assistant at the Korea Institute of Public Administration studying regulatory innovation and at the Korean Women’s Development Institute researching representative bureaucracy in South Korea. Kyungmin holds a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in public administration from Korea University in South Korea.

Ruthnande Kessa, Ph.D. specializes in natural disaster preparedness, risk analysis, and social equity. Her research aims to address challenges faced by vulnerable populations in disasters, promoting inclusivity and community resilience. She seeks collaboration opportunities to inform policies and enhance disaster preparedness for marginalized communities. An American Society for Public Administration (ASPA) Founders Fellow and the Vice President of Graduate Students for the Central Florida ASPA chapter, she has presented research at conferences such as the Southeastern Conference for Public Administration and the Association for Research on Nonprofit Organizations and Voluntary Action. She holds a master's degree in public administration and a bachelor's degree in environmental studies and policy, both from the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh. She has accepted a job as a tenure-track assistant professor at Tennessee State University.

Hanvit Kim is a Ph.D. candidate specializing in network governance, performance management, and governance of artificial intelligence during emergencies and crises. His research examines how network governance enhances resilience, the impact of diversity on performance, and the societal benefits and challenges of AI. He focuses on improving network governance, understanding intersectional impacts on organizational outcomes, and developing precise AI prediction models for emergency preparedness. Ultimately, Hanvit aims to maximize AI benefits while mitigating potential threats in public administration. He is working with Dr. Naim Kapucu on his dissertation on network resilience. He holds a bachelor's degree from Soongsil University and masters in public administration from Yonsei University.

Public Affairs PhD

From the Director

Program Details

FAQs

Where Do Our Graduates Work?

Student Spotlights

PAF Core Faculty