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PhD for Working Professionals in Public Administration
Updated at : November 8, 2025
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In today’s complex public sector, research-driven insights are more valued than experience. Being a working professional, if you want to navigate your career to shape public policy to make a lasting impact, a doctoral degree can be highly beneficial. Since a Part-Time PhD in Public Administration focuses only on theoretical research, it provides career opportunities only in teaching and research. Moreover, the blended mode of this program may not suit you, which makes attendance compulsory for coursework. The admission process is also challenging as it has an entrance exam requirement.
The duration of a PhD in Public Administration in a Part-Time mode is 5 to 8 years, which can be very long for someone who is looking for a rapid career transformation. For highly practical research with an easy admission process and complete flexibility, you can enroll in the Online DBA Doctorate in Public Administration. This program is designed for working professionals looking to take their careers forward to leadership positions in this field. Offered by the topmost foreign universities with global recognition, it offers complete flexibility through a 100% online mode of learning. Unlike a conventional Part-Time PhD, this program is highly practical with a focus on real-world expertise in public policy and governance.
The curriculum of this program is centred on applied reseach that tends to solve real-world problems in public administration. The research is business-oriented, which prepares you for leadership careers globally. The program will allow conducting highly practical research under the guidance of qualified faculty members of the top foreign universities. The program is offered through a cutting-edge Learning Management System (LMS) of the university. The duration of this program is 3 years, which is far less than a Part-Time PhD for Working Professionals. Post-completion, you will get the “Dr.” title just like any other doctoral program.
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The curriculum for the PhD for Working professionals in Public Administration in Part-Time Mode is centered on theoretical research. Typically, it takes 5 to 8 years to complete. In contrast, the curriculum of the Online DBA in Public Administration is more centred towards practical and business-specific reseach. It spans just 3 years. Here is the detailed curriculum-
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Semester 1 |
Semester 2 |
Semester 3 |
Semester 4 |
Semester 5 |
Semester 6 |
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1. Research Methods |
Data Collection and Analysis |
Doctoral Thesis (Dissertation) |
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2. Qualitative Methods & Techniques |
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3. Quantitative Methods & Techniques |
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4. Research Tools |
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5. The Research Proposal |
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1. Study Section (Modules) |
2. Study Section (Thesis) |
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30 ECTS / 5 modules at 6 ECTS each |
150 ECTS - The thesis contributes around 85% to the overall result of the doctoral studies. |
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PhD in Public Administration for Working Professionals (Duration Wise Details) |
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Within 1st Month |
Within 2nd - 7th Month |
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Within 8th - 10th Month |
Within 10th - 12th Month |
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Within 13th - 33th Month |
Within 34th - 36th Month |
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Note: The syllabus provided above is subject to change for different universities.
Professionals who wish to pursue a Part-Time PhD in Public Administration are required to meet these criteria-
Meeting the eligibility criteria mentioned above can be challenging for full-time working professionals. In contrast, Online DBA in Public Administration provides a more flexible alternative with simpler eligibility requirements-
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Working Professionals in the Part-Time PhD in Public Administration generally pay INR 80,000 to INR 1,00,000 each year. This is only the course fee, and the actual cost could be much higher due to additional expenses for university visits, as the program is provided in Hybrid mode.
On the other hand, a fixed total fee between INR 5,00,000 to INR 10,00,000. The program is fully online, which can be completed online. This eliminates any requirement to incur any additional expenses.
Applying for a part-time PhD in Public Administration can be complicated. You have to clear difficult entrance exams, submit several research proposals, and even get approval from your employer. On the other hand, the Online DBA has a very easy admission process without any such requirements mentioned above. Here is the process-
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Usually, universities do not have any EMI and education loan facilities for a PhD in Public Administration in a Part-Time mode. Meanwhile, the Online DBA Doctorate provides comprehensive financial assistance through EMI and educational loans to pay the fees easily.
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A PhD for working professionals in a Part-Time program can be beneficial, providing a pathway to a career in academia and research. But for professional growth in a global Public Policy and governance, an Online DBA Doctorate in Public Administration is the best option. With highly practical and applied research, you will equip yourself with expertise to address actual problems. Moreover, this program is more flexible and has a shorter duration than a Part-Time PhD. Working professionals can easily get admission and complete this program while sitting at home.
College Vidya Advantages
Here are some of the top career opportunities one can pursue after completing this online doctoral program-
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Job Profile |
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Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) |
Director of Public Affairs |
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Director of Policy and Planning |
Executive Director |
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Public Sector Project Director |
City Manager / Municipal Commissioner |
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Strategic Operations Director |
Department Head |
Usually, the graduates of a conventional Part-Time Doctoral degree in Public Administration are recruited by universities and reseach institutions. However, the graduates of the Online Doctorate in Public Administration are recruited by the global business leaders. Here are some of the top recruiters for this program-
Our students work at
ICICI Bank
Accenture
Bajaj Finserv
Capgemini
Cognizant
Deloitte
HCL
Hitachi
Infoedge
PhD in Public Administration for Working Professionals is a flexible doctoral program designed for busy professionals. Offered in Hybrid mode, this program offers a pathway to a career in academia and research. However, working professionals can pursue equally valid and fully online DBA Doctorate for career growth in the global business landscape.
No, any doctoral program, whether in full-time or part-time mode, cannot be offered in Online mode in India. This is due to the UGC regulations and guidance. However, working professionals can earn an equally valid Online DBA Doctorate in Public Administration in complete online mode from a top-tier foreign university.
Here are the eligibility requirements-
If you go for a part-time PhD in Public Administration, it will normally take 5 to 8 years. It can be very long for someone who is looking for a rapid career transformation. Online DBA in Public Administration provides a fast-paced option to earn a doctoral degree within 3 years.
Working Professionals in the Part-Time PhD in Public Administration generally pay INR 80,000 to INR 1,00,000 each year. This is only the course fee, and the actual cost could be much higher due to additional expenses for university visits, as the program is provided in Hybrid mode.
On the other hand, a fixed total fee between INR 5,00,000 to INR 10,00,000. The program is fully online, which can be completed online. This eliminates any requirement to incur any additional expenses.
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