Public Administration


Doctorate Degree

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Degree Details
  • Required Major Units
    56
  • Cost Per Unit
    $795
  • Estimated Major Cost
    $45k
  • Avg. Completion (Months)
    36
  • Accreditation
    WASC Accredited

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Doctor of Public Administration



Overview

Take an active role in creating innovative, sustainable solutions to societal problems and improved governance.

The online Doctor of Public Administration (DPA) at California Baptist University Online & Professional Studies is designed to develop innovative leaders who seek to maximize impact in public and non-profit organizations. Created for the working adult, the 56 unit online DPA program, including dissertation, can be completed in three years. Students will focus on one online class every eight weeks. Curriculum and courses in the online Doctorate in Public Administration program are designed to meet the needs of professionals tasked in responding to the complex and unique issues organizations encounter at the federal, state and local levels within planning, criminal justice, governance, policy, health management, and social service arenas.

Program Highlights

  • 56 unit program

  • Complete in as little as 3 years including dissertation

  • Cohort model allows for students to progress together through coursework and dissertation process

  • Eight-week online course format

  • Outstanding credentialed faculty with public, non-profit and private sector professional experience

  • Financial aid available for those who qualify

 

Student Testimonials

The online Doctor of Public Administration degree program is designed to take students through a journey that embraces personal, professional, and spiritual transformation. Students graduating from the program will be equipped to address issues in a global context, with the ethical standards of a Christian heritage. In addition, students will leave the program with the capacity to self-reflect, think critically, lead and engage others, and make effective decisions.

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Course Requirements

Program Requirements (56 units)

Public Administration Foundations and Theory

Public Administration Foundations and Theory

This course introduces students to the foundational theories and concepts of public administration within the discipline and practice. Historical and seminal works of foundational theorists as well as classical and contemporary perspectives will be addressed as they pertain to efficient and effective practices for both government and non-profit management. Foundational and emerging theories will be studied and applied to organizational constructs of a bureaucracy. (4 units)


Semester Course Section Dates Location Days Time Instructor
Fall 2023
DPA701 AE Session 1
09/04/2023
10/29/2023
Online N/A N/A Staff
Spring 2024
DPA701 AE Session 1
01/08/2024
03/03/2024
Online N/A N/A Staff
Fall 2024
DPA701 AE Session 1
09/02/2024
10/27/2024
Online N/A N/A Staff
Leadership in Public Sector

Leadership in Public Sector

This seminar will examine specific topics that include but not limited to the focus on how the leader?s values and beliefs affect financial and budgetary issues in public sector organizations, collective bargaining, outsourcing, private sector partnering, diversity management leadership, social networking and media. Prerequisite: DPA701 (4 units)


Semester Course Section Dates Location Days Time Instructor
Fall 2023
DPA710 AE Session 2
10/31/2023
12/23/2023
Online N/A N/A Staff
Spring 2024
DPA710 AE Session 2
03/04/2024
04/28/2024
Online N/A N/A Staff
Fall 2024
DPA710 AE Session 2
10/28/2024
12/22/2024
Online N/A N/A Staff
Ethics and Social Justice

Ethics and Social Justice

In this course, students examine the philosophy of ethics as it relates to issues of social justice and relationships between ethical and moral practices and effective leadership. Theories of economic disparity, power, and privilege and ethical dilemmas will be explored. Attention is focused on accountability in leadership and best practices that result in fair and equitable treatment of employees and service delivery in diverse communities. Current events will be analyzed as well as a variety of moral dilemmas that exist in societies and organizations along with the exploration of key factors in decision-making and ethical principles. Prerequisite: DPA 710. (4 units)


Semester Course Section Dates Location Days Time Instructor
Summer 2023
DPA720 AE Session 1
05/08/2023
07/02/2023
Online N/A N/A Provance, Brett
Strategic Planning and Management

Strategic Planning and Management

This course presents innovative concepts of strategic planning in relation to an organization's mission, and vision for organizational sustainability. Students will learn practical skills of best practices needed to develop strategic plans that focus on key aspects of resource allocation, implementation, collaboration, and budgeting. Prerequisite: DPA720. (4 units)


Semester Course Section Dates Location Days Time Instructor
Summer 2023
DPA725 AE Session 2
07/03/2023
08/27/2023
Online N/A N/A Austin, George R,, Jr
Collaboration and Networked Governance

Collaboration and Networked Governance

This course examines introduces the concepts and practices of managing networks. Theories, analytical skills, and processes of designing, developing, sustaining, evaluating, networks will be addressed. Concepts of successful and challenging collaboration efforts among public, private, and nonprofit organizations will be explored. Integration of budgetary factors will be included as it relates to service delivery. Prerequisite: DPA725. (4 units)


Semester Course Section Dates Location Days Time Instructor
Summer 2023
DPA740 AE Session 1
05/08/2023
07/02/2023
Online N/A N/A Holguin, Jesus H.
Fall 2023
DPA740 AE Session 1
09/04/2023
10/29/2023
Online N/A N/A Staff
Public Policy, Advocacy, and Economics

Public Policy, Advocacy, and Economics

This course will explore trends, characteristics, imperatives, and consequences of public-policy making. Discussion includes how global economies affect the political climate and how representation of powerful actors, PACS, and institutions are representative factors of collective action, electoral processes, fiscal policy, bureaucracy, regulation and constitutional reforms at the federal, state and local levels. Prerequisite: DPA740. (4 units)


Semester Course Section Dates Location Days Time Instructor
Summer 2023
DPA750 AE Session 2
07/03/2023
08/27/2023
Online N/A N/A Chabot, Paul R.
Fall 2023
DPA750 AE Session 2
10/31/2023
12/23/2023
Online N/A N/A Staff
Comprehensive Experience

Comprehensive Experience

This course is designed to expand upon the transition of a prospectus into a formal dissertation. Official committee formation is expected by the end of this course. Successful completion of a defense experience outlining and defending Ch.1-3 of a viable prospectus must be successfully completed in order to progress to DPA 797. Pass/Fail. Prerequisite: RCH 720. (4 units)


Semester Course Section Dates Location Days Time Instructor
Summer 2023
DPA781 AE Session 2
07/03/2023
08/27/2023
Online N/A N/A Ahumada, Elaine
Fall 2023
DPA781 AE Session 2
10/31/2023
12/23/2023
Online N/A N/A Staff
Summer 2024
DPA781 AE Session 2
07/01/2024
08/25/2024
Online N/A N/A Staff
Fall 2024
DPA781 AE Session 2
10/28/2024
12/22/2024
Online N/A N/A Staff
Public Administration Special Topics

Public Administration Special Topics

This course is designed to complete an outline for the first three chapters of the dissertation. Topic area is determined and preliminary research on topic is explored. Prerequisite: DPA 750. (4 units)


Semester Course Section Dates Location Days Time Instructor
Fall 2023
DPA795 AE Session 1
09/04/2023
10/29/2023
Online N/A N/A Staff
Spring 2024
DPA795 AE Session 1
01/08/2024
03/03/2024
Online N/A N/A Staff
Dissertation Experience

Dissertation Experience

Students will be guided through the research process after completed dissertation proposal. This will include completion of the five chapter dissertation including introduction, literature review, methodology, findings and conclusions. Students will work with their dissertation committee. May be repeated for a maximum of thirty-two (32) units. Prerequisite: DPA781. (4 units)


Semester Course Section Dates Location Days Time Instructor
Summer 2023
DPA797 AE Session 1
05/08/2023
07/02/2023
Online N/A N/A Ahumada, Elaine
Summer 2023
DPA797 BE Session 2
07/03/2023
08/27/2023
Online N/A N/A Ahumada, Elaine
Fall 2023
DPA797 AE Session 1
09/04/2023
10/29/2023
Online N/A N/A Staff
Fall 2023
DPA797 BE Session 2
10/31/2023
12/23/2023
Online N/A N/A Staff
Spring 2024
DPA797 AE Session 1
01/08/2024
03/03/2024
Online N/A N/A Staff
Spring 2024
DPA797 BE Session 2
03/04/2024
04/28/2024
Online N/A N/A Staff
Summer 2024
DPA797 AE Session 1
05/06/2024
06/30/2024
Online N/A N/A Staff
Summer 2024
DPA797 BE Session 2
07/01/2024
08/25/2024
Online N/A N/A Staff
Fall 2024
DPA797 AE Session 1
09/02/2024
10/27/2024
Online N/A N/A Staff
Fall 2024
DPA797 BE Session 2
10/28/2024
12/22/2024
Online N/A N/A Staff
Dissertation Experience

Dissertation Experience

Students will be guided through the research process after completed dissertation proposal. This will include completion of the five chapter dissertation including introduction, literature review, methodology, findings and conclusions. Students will work with their dissertation committee. May be repeated for a maximum of thirty-two (32) units. Prerequisite: DPA781. (4 units)


Semester Course Section Dates Location Days Time Instructor
Summer 2023
DPA797 AE Session 1
05/08/2023
07/02/2023
Online N/A N/A Ahumada, Elaine
Summer 2023
DPA797 BE Session 2
07/03/2023
08/27/2023
Online N/A N/A Ahumada, Elaine
Fall 2023
DPA797 AE Session 1
09/04/2023
10/29/2023
Online N/A N/A Staff
Fall 2023
DPA797 BE Session 2
10/31/2023
12/23/2023
Online N/A N/A Staff
Spring 2024
DPA797 AE Session 1
01/08/2024
03/03/2024
Online N/A N/A Staff
Spring 2024
DPA797 BE Session 2
03/04/2024
04/28/2024
Online N/A N/A Staff
Summer 2024
DPA797 AE Session 1
05/06/2024
06/30/2024
Online N/A N/A Staff
Summer 2024
DPA797 BE Session 2
07/01/2024
08/25/2024
Online N/A N/A Staff
Fall 2024
DPA797 AE Session 1
09/02/2024
10/27/2024
Online N/A N/A Staff
Fall 2024
DPA797 BE Session 2
10/28/2024
12/22/2024
Online N/A N/A Staff
Dissertation Completion

Dissertation Completion

Students who have successfully completed the final oral defense of their dissertation but were unable to complete required modifications to the dissertation manuscript within DPA797 are required to enroll in this course until a professional editor and the committee chair confirm their dissertation manuscript is complete and submitted for publication. Prerequisite: DPA797 and Permission of Dissertation Chair. Pass/Fail. (1 unit)


Semester Course Section Dates Location Days Time Instructor
Summer 2023
DPA799 AE Session 1
05/08/2023
07/02/2023
Online N/A N/A Ahumada, Elaine
Summer 2023
DPA799 BE Session 2
07/03/2023
08/27/2023
Online N/A N/A Ahumada, Elaine
Fall 2023
DPA799 AE Session 1
09/04/2023
10/29/2023
Online N/A N/A Staff
Fall 2023
DPA799 BE Session 2
10/31/2023
12/23/2023
Online N/A N/A Staff
Spring 2024
DPA799 AE Session 1
01/08/2024
03/03/2024
Online N/A N/A Staff
Spring 2024
DPA799 BE Session 2
03/04/2024
04/28/2024
Online N/A N/A Staff
Summer 2024
DPA799 AE Session 1
05/06/2024
06/30/2024
Online N/A N/A Staff
Summer 2024
DPA799 BE Session 2
07/01/2024
08/25/2024
Online N/A N/A Staff
Fall 2024
DPA799 AE Session 1
09/02/2024
10/27/2024
Online N/A N/A Staff
Fall 2024
DPA799 BE Session 2
10/28/2024
12/22/2024
Online N/A N/A Staff
Research Design

Research Design

The purpose of this course is to provide an introduction to the practice of research and research design. The course develops an understanding of the principles, processes and techniques used in social science research. Topics will include reading and evaluating dissertations, identification of quality research design criteria, and development of quality hypothesis statements and research questions. Students will use this information to evaluate their own thinking about research questions and develop potential research design descriptions. Prerequisite: BUS765 or DPA765 or ORG750. (4 units)


Semester Course Section Dates Location Days Time Instructor
Fall 2023
RCH705 BE Session 2
10/31/2023
12/23/2023
Online N/A N/A Staff
Fall 2023
RCH705 AE Session 2
10/31/2023
12/23/2023
Online N/A N/A Staff
Spring 2024
RCH705 AE Session 2
03/04/2024
04/28/2024
Online N/A N/A Staff
Data Analysis and Interpretation

Data Analysis and Interpretation

The purpose of this course is to introduce the principles and methods for descriptive and inferential statistics. The course will focus on understanding how descriptive and inferential statistics can be applied to effectively interpret data. Students will be required to utilize statistical software to select basic statistical tests and interpret results. Prerequisite: RCH705. (4 units)


Semester Course Section Dates Location Days Time Instructor
Summer 2023
RCH710 AE Session 1
05/08/2023
07/02/2023
Online N/A N/A Mizell, Staci E.
Spring 2024
RCH710 AE Session 1
01/08/2024
03/03/2024
Online N/A N/A Staff
Summer 2024
RCH710 AE Session 1
05/06/2024
06/30/2024
Online N/A N/A Staff
Quantitative Research

Quantitative Research

The purpose of this course is to present an examination of quantitative methods and designs that are utilized in social science research. Areas of focus include measurement, sampling, and design issues in generating and testing research questions. Students will be required to utilize statistical software to select complex statistical tests and interpret results. Prerequisite: RCH710. (4 units)


Semester Course Section Dates Location Days Time Instructor
Summer 2023
RCH715 AE Session 2
07/03/2023
08/27/2023
Online N/A N/A Mizell, Staci E.
Spring 2024
RCH715 AE Session 2
03/04/2024
04/28/2024
Online N/A N/A Staff
Summer 2024
RCH715 AE Session 2
07/01/2024
08/25/2024
Online N/A N/A Staff
Qualitative Research

Qualitative Research

This course examines the theoretical foundations of qualitative research methods and techniques applied in social science research. Students will be exposed to a wide array of research methods, design, measurement, analysis, and interpretation techniques that are crucial in descriptive research. Students will learn how to analyze human behavior, perceptions, and reactions as well as the meanings people give to their experiences. Prerequisite: RCH715. (4 units)


Semester Course Section Dates Location Days Time Instructor
Summer 2023
RCH720 AE Session 1
05/08/2023
07/02/2023
Online N/A N/A Petersen, Henry Lee
Summer 2023
RCH720 BE Session 1
05/08/2023
07/02/2023
Online N/A N/A Petersen, Henry Lee
Fall 2023
RCH720 AE Session 1
09/04/2023
10/29/2023
Online N/A N/A Staff
Summer 2024
RCH720 AE Session 1
05/06/2024
06/30/2024
Online N/A N/A Staff
Fall 2024
RCH720 AE Session 1
09/02/2024
10/27/2024
Online N/A N/A Staff

Faculty

Elaine Ahumada

Elaine Ahumada, D.P.A.

Program Director

Professor of Public Administration / Program Director of Doctorate in Public Administration

Office Phone: (951) 343-3929
Email: eahumada@calbaptist.edu
Department: History & Government
Beth Groves

Beth Ann Groves, D.P.A.

Associate Professor of Public Administration

Office Phone: (951) 343-3948
Email: bgroves@calbaptist.edu
Department: History & Government
Patricia Kircher

Patricia Kircher, D.P.A.

Professor of Public Administration

Office Phone: (951) 343-3930
Email: pkircher@calbaptist.edu
Department: History & Government
Mark Kling

Mark P. Kling, D.P.A.

Associate Professor of Criminal Justice/ Program Coordinator of Bachelors in Criminal Justice

Office Phone: (951) 343-3936
Email: mkling@calbaptist.edu
Department: History & Government
Brett Provance

Brett Scott Provance, Ph.D.

Professor of Humanities

Office Phone: (951) 343-5561
Email: bprovance@calbaptist.edu
Department: History & Government
Riste Simnjanovski

Riste Simnjanovski, D.P.A.

Professor of Public Administration

Office Phone: (951) 343-3968
Email: rsimnjan@calbaptist.edu
Department: History & Government
Linda-Marie Sundstrom

Linda-Marie Sundstrom, D.P.A

Associate Professor of Public Administration / Program Director of Masters in Public Administration

Office Phone: (951) 343-2172
Email: lsundstrom@calbaptist.edu
Department: History & Government

Admission Requirements

• Official transcript from an accredited college or university reflecting completion of a master’s degree.
• 3.0 cumulative or last 60/90 unit GPA*
       *Additional opportunities may be available for a student to overcome an unsatisfactory GPA
• Written statement of purpose OR in-person/virtual program interview (student’s choice)
       What are your educational goals?
       How will this program help meet those goals?
       What makes you a good fit for CBU?
       500-word maximum
• Additional requirements may be requested


Step 1:

Apply Online

Step 1a:

Complete the financial aid application: FAFSA
CBU FAFSA School Code: 001125

Step 2:

Your personal admissions counselor will contact you to assist with enrollment, registration and financing your education

Step 3:

Student will supply official transcripts to admissions counselor

Step 4:

Admissions counselor will meet with you to complete the registration process and provide an estimated financial aid award/education financing plan*

Step 5:

Admissions counselor will introduce you to your Academic “One Stop Advisor” to complete your academic degree plan and assist you in navigating your academic career to graduation.





*Student may begin class once this step has been completed

This serves as an admissions process general guide, may vary based on transfer units, test scores, etc. See your admissions counselor for your personal enrollment plan.

Tuition & Financial Aid

Live your purpose. Follow your passion. CBU Online is dedicated to helping you achieve your goals. Earning your degree at CBU Online is a short term investment with long term dividends.

  • A cost effective education with financial aid options
  • Apply for aid by completing the FAFSA, work individually with caring staff to explore financing options to complete your education
  • Grants, Scholarships, Veteran’s Benefits, Employer Tuition Assistance, Student Loans and Financing Plans available for those who qualify
  • Yellow Ribbon Military Friendly School

Find and secure the resources you need to finance your educational investment. CBU Online works hard to provide an affordable and valuable education. We can help you identify, understand, and seek qualification for a variety of financing and financial aid options.

Complete the financial aid application: FAFSA

CBU’s FAFSA School Code: 001125

Click here for more Information about Financial Aid at CBU Online

Student Learning Outcomes

Consistent with the University student outcomes, upon completion of the Doctor of Public Administration degree, graduates will be able to:

  1. Communicate effectively.
  2. Analyze public agencies, and the work they conduct, in order to directly and indirectly examine the use of power, authority and resources for the populations they serve.
  3. Evaluate authority as determined through legitimate power in public organizations.
  4. Examine the necessary political-administrative dichotomy in public organizations.
  5. Distinguish what behaviors constitute proper bureaucratic action for the organizations in which they serve as well as for the constituents who receive services.
  6. Examine equity and fairness as it relates to the social, economic and political aspects of public administration.
  7. Examine the definition of efficiency/effectiveness as it relates to the practice of public administration.
  8. Conduct ethical research.

Contact Us


Admissions

Phone: 951-343-3927
877-228-5657
Email: cbuonline@calbaptist.edu

CBU Online & Professional Studies Division

Phone: 951-343-3900
Email: cbuonline@calbaptist.edu

Financial Aid

Phone: 951-343-4236
Email: finaidops@calbaptist.edu

Student Accounts

Phone: 951-343-4371
Email: studentaccounts@calbaptist.edu

Disability Services

Phone: 951-343-2190
Email: dss@calbaptist.edu