Doctoral

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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.

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).

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