The following information is based on program responses to NASPAA’s Fall 2010 Enrollment and Academic Year 2009-2010 Degrees Awarded Survey, administered by NASPAA in Spring 2011. The data reflect only survey-participating programs. Of the 272 NASPAA membership programs as of spring 2011, 176 responded to the survey and 167 submitted valid data, giving the survey a response rate of 61 percent.
Doctoral Degrees AY 2009 - 2010
(N=167) (Response Rate=61%)
Degree Programs Offered Fall 2010
Degree Type | Program Offered by Respondent |
Percent of Respondents |
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) | 46 | 27.7 |
Doctor of Public Administration (DPA) | 3 | 1.8 |
Total Programs | 49 |
Doctoral Program Highlight
About 28 percent of the respondent programs offer Doctor of Philosophy in Public Policy or related disciplines. About 2 percent of the responding programs offer Doctor of Public Administration degrees.
Doctoral Student Enrollment Fall 2010
Degree Type | Enrolled Full-Time |
Percent Full-Time |
Enrolled Part-Time |
Percent Part-Time |
Enrolled Total |
DPA | 23 | 31.9 | 49 | 68.1 | 72 |
Ph.D. | 1,170 | 58.2 | 842 | 41.8 | 2,012 |
Total Enrolled | 1,193 | 57.2 | 891 | 42.8 | 2,084 |
Enrollment Highlight
About 58 percent of Ph.D students enrolled full-time; about 68 percent of DPA students enrolled on part-time basis
Degree Awarded AY 2009 - 2010
Degree Type | Degrees Awarded by Respondents |
Percent of Degree Awarded by Respondents |
Ph.D. | 249 | 96.1 |
DPA | 10 | 3.9 |
Total Degree Awarded | 259 |
Degree Awarded Highlight
259 doctoral degree candidates received their degrees in Public Policy/Public Affairs or related disciplines from the survey responding programs. About 96 percent of the degrees-granted are Ph.D degrees.