Program Offerings

Master's of Public Administration

The Master of Public Administration (MPA) is a professional degree intended for future & current public managers and analysts in public administration and related public service. Its purpose is to train early-career individuals for the public service and improve the skills and leadership of mid-career public servants.

The Doctor of Philosophy in Public Administration/Public Affairs

The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) is academia’s highest degree. It prepares one for research and scholarship whether or not in affiliation with a university. The Center offers this degree for full-time students and for part-time, in-career professionals who can commit the time and effort that achieving it requires.

A master's degree in a relevant field is required for admission. Students earning the Virginia Tech MPA degree may apply for admission to the Ph.D. as they near the end of their MPA program.

The Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study

This program constitutes the work for the Ph.D., absent the dissertation. Students are awarded a Certificated of Advanced Graduate Study in formal recognition of the high level of academic accomplishment involved. Holders of Master's degrees who can profit from doctoral coursework, but who do not need or wish to write the dissertation, are invited to apply for this program. Doctoral candidates who have passed Preliminary Examinations are also eligible to receive the Certificate, and students accepted into the C.A.G.S. program may apply later to proceed toward the PhD.
Some sample certificates are the Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit and Nongovernmental Organization Management as well as the certificates offered by Interdisciplinary Graduate Concentrations and Graduate Certificates.