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What would be low-cost online/at-a-distance D.P.A.'s in US or abroad?
Thanks!
Ongoing:
Ph.D. Philosophy
Focus on Systematic Philosophy, Great Books Literature.
University of South Africa,
Expected Graduation 2029.
Completed:
MBA
MA Philosophy
(Dual Degree)
University of Mary,
North Dakota. 2025.
BA Economics & Psychology
Also Concentrated Business, Education Studies;
with Philosophy/History, minor Mathematics/Natural Sciences.
USNY Regents College (now Excelsior University),
New York. 1975, revalidated 1988.
Self-Development:
Associate Arts/Sciences-level studies.
Philosophy, Government, Sociology, Computers.
St. Petersburg College, Honors Program.
Florida. 2013-2019.
Paused:
D. Min.
Kairos University,
South Dakota, Admitted 2026.
MLS Public Administration.
Interdisciplinary Liberal and Political Science Studies.
Fort Hays State University,
Kansas. Admitted for entry 2026.
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06-24-2025, 07:51 PM
(This post was last modified: 06-24-2025, 07:57 PM by dietcenter.)
University of Illinois Springfield (UIS) – Doctor of Public Administration, $367.50 per credit hour
Valdosta State University (VSU) – DPA $385 per credit hour
Liberty University – Online DPA $595 per credit hour
The idea of doing a DPA dissertation makes me want to lose my lunch. Most of those PA professors are very quirky folks.....
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06-27-2025, 10:40 PM
(This post was last modified: 06-27-2025, 10:48 PM by FireMedic_Philosopher.)
(06-24-2025, 07:51 PM)dietcenter Wrote: University of Illinois Springfield (UIS) – Doctor of Public Administration, $367.50 per credit hour
Valdosta State University (VSU) – DPA $385 per credit hour
Liberty University – Online DPA $595 per credit hour
The idea of doing a DPA dissertation makes me want to lose my lunch. Most of those PA professors are very quirky folks..... I can speak to UIS as my mother in law is an alum.
The focus is local government and non-profit management. Very little if anything regarding the federal workforce.
The MPA program at UIS has an integrated internship program called GPSI (graduate program student interns) which pairs MPA students up with state agencies in the capital of Springfield.... Dept of Public Health, Dept of Transportation, Emergency Management, State Police... et cetera. The students get a bit of work experience and their tuition covered, the state government gets a bunch of young project managers. The program is only for in-residence students though, and i do not know if DPA students can apply. (I believe there is an age limit)
Associates in: EMS, History, and Philosophy
Certificates in: Military History and Quality Assurance
B.S. in: Emergency Management and Healthcare Admin
M.S. in: Public Safety Administration
Graduate Certificate in: National Security
In Progress: Doctorate and Masters # 2 and 3
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On second thought...
The cheapest online DPA currently appears to be Valdosta.
https://www.valdosta.edu/academics/gradu...ration.php
It is an accelerated program, but does require a campus visit during you first year if I remember right.
Associates in: EMS, History, and Philosophy
Certificates in: Military History and Quality Assurance
B.S. in: Emergency Management and Healthcare Admin
M.S. in: Public Safety Administration
Graduate Certificate in: National Security
In Progress: Doctorate and Masters # 2 and 3
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"Cheapest" isn't always the optimal choice.
A doctorate will define you professionally forever. It is crucial to get the decision right. And the difference between an expensive one and a less-expensive one isn't anywhere as important as choosing the right one.
Let's say, hypothetically, that one is considering two programs. One will cost $30K while the other will cost $60K. That leaves us a difference of $30K. And lets say you finish at 35 years old. Thus, you can expect that degree to affect you for...wait for it...30 years or more. In other words, about $1K per year. Certainly, making the best choice regarding a doctorate will have a much greater impact on one's career than that!
Doctorate in something
Doctorate in something else
MBA
BS in something
BA in something else
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(07-11-2025, 08:44 PM)Sagan Wrote: In other words, about $1K per year.
It's closer to $2,000 with interest, so $4,000 total per year, but the point is well taken.
Pierpont Community & Technical College 2022
Associate of Applied Science - Board of Governors - Area of Emphasis: Information Systems
Western Governors University 2022
Bachelor of Science - Cloud Computing
Charter Oak State College 2023
Bachelor of Science - General Studies - Concentration: Information Systems Studies
Thomas Edison State University 2023
Bachelor of Arts - Computer Science
Associate in Science in Natural Sciences and Mathematics - Mathematics
University of Maine at Presque Isle 2023
Bachelor of Applied Science - Minor: Project Management
Escuela de Negocios Europea de Barcelona 2023
Universidad Internacional Isabel I de Castilla 2024
Master of Business Administration
Western Governors University 2026
Master of Science - Cybersecurity and Information Assurance
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WCUPA has one for ~600 per credit hour, 45 hours, but I believe requires synchronous coursework
ODU has a PhD in Public Policy and Administration for $650 per credit x 49 hours
Working Toward: ME-EM, CU Boulder (Coursera)
Completed: TESU - BA Computer Science, 2023; TESU - AAS Applied Electronic Studies, 2012; K-State -BS Political Science, 2016
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04-08-2026, 01:58 PM
(This post was last modified: 04-08-2026, 02:01 PM by MFG.)
(07-21-2025, 02:38 PM)spohara Wrote: WCUPA has one for ~600 per credit hour, 45 hours, but I believe requires synchronous coursework
ODU has a PhD in Public Policy and Administration for $650 per credit x 49 hours
Thanks!
What universities are ODU and WCUPA...?
(06-24-2025, 07:51 PM)dietcenter Wrote: University of Illinois Springfield (UIS) – Doctor of Public Administration, $367.50 per credit hour
Valdosta State University (VSU) – DPA $385 per credit hour
Liberty University – Online DPA $595 per credit hour
The idea of doing a DPA dissertation makes me want to lose my lunch. Most of those PA professors are very quirky folks.....
Thanks!
[quote pid='442078' dateline='1750812692']
>The idea of doing a DPA dissertation makes me want to lose my lunch.
Why? Storytime.
Most of those PA professors are very quirky folks.....
How so? Storytime!
Thanks again!
MG
[/quote]
Ongoing:
Ph.D. Philosophy
Focus on Systematic Philosophy, Great Books Literature.
University of South Africa,
Expected Graduation 2029.
Completed:
MBA
MA Philosophy
(Dual Degree)
University of Mary,
North Dakota. 2025.
BA Economics & Psychology
Also Concentrated Business, Education Studies;
with Philosophy/History, minor Mathematics/Natural Sciences.
USNY Regents College (now Excelsior University),
New York. 1975, revalidated 1988.
Self-Development:
Associate Arts/Sciences-level studies.
Philosophy, Government, Sociology, Computers.
St. Petersburg College, Honors Program.
Florida. 2013-2019.
Paused:
D. Min.
Kairos University,
South Dakota, Admitted 2026.
MLS Public Administration.
Interdisciplinary Liberal and Political Science Studies.
Fort Hays State University,
Kansas. Admitted for entry 2026.
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You could also consider enquiring about the Polytechnic University of the Philippines online DPA ( https://www.pup.edu.ph/cpspa/dpa). I don't have any details on the program apart from the website but public universities in the Philippines typically charge 500USD a semester as a development fee for international students and then around ~30USD a credit hour on top. This means that you could potentially get a doctorate in the low to mid thousands. They also got other cheap online PhDs in subjects such as Development Education from other universities in the country if that's your cup of tea.
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