The Doctor of Public Management (DPM) is a professional doctorate degree that provides an opportunity to combine a doctoral thesis with disciplinary and methodologically based coursework. The research and thesis will offer a candidate the opportunity to research a real-world, work-based problem or issue where the objective is to make a novel contribution to practice.

The degree consists of one-third coursework (equivalent to one-year full-time study) and two-thirds research (equivalent to two-years full-time study) which should be in an area studied by the student while undertaking coursework.

The program is intended to prepare candidates for the highest level of professional practice, in which they can contribute significantly to the development of Public Management practice.

Societies expect a great deal from those who serve in public roles, asking for both good policy and the effective design and delivery of the policy. Public management looks beyond the creation of policy to consider how ideas can be delivered effectively and efficiently, thereby enabling successful implementation. There are ongoing calls for improved policy implementation and this program will offer opportunities for both research and practice improvements. In this program, mastery of the professional body of knowledge is achieved in the coursework component, which builds on prior education and the experience gained through professional practice.

Initially students will undertake disciplinary based courses to develop an in depth knowledge of the current theory in their area of study. This is then combined with appropriate methodological study to ensure that the candidate is prepared for their personal research. The Doctor of Public Management is ideal for those who are in, or seeking to attain, senior positions delivering public services, as well as postgraduate scholars seeking to develop a research competence in this field. This program has been designed with relevance to the workplace as a priority.

Based on this mastery of the professional body of knowledge, the thesis component of the program develops the research skills necessary for an experienced practitioner to be able to make a significant contribution to the continuous improvement of their discipline’s professional practice.

Graduates of this program will have:

1. a substantial body of applied knowledge at the frontier of advanced public management, including knowledge generated through their own original research in their area of policy interest
2. substantial knowledge of research principles applicable to their selected field of public management theory and practice
3. an expert understanding of the key theoretical knowledge of relevance to their applied area of practice
4. intellectual independence to think critically, evaluate existing applied knowledge and undertake systematic investigation of applied public management practice
5. expert technical and creative skills applicable to their professional field of public management practice
6. well developed communication skills to clearly explain conceptual and applied knowledge to their professional peers and broader communities of interest within their applied area of research
7. expert skills to communicate research on emerging and complex public management issues to a diverse range of audiences
8. expert skills to plan and execute research within their area of applied practice.

The DPM is designed as a minimum three year full- time equivalent program, structured as one-third coursework and two-thirds research. The coursework component of the DPM will be undertaken through enrolment in courses already established within the School of Business, UNSW Canberra. Coursework must be completed prior to the research. The DPM may be undertaken on either a part time or full time basis.

1. Award of the Degree
The degree of Doctor of Public Management may be awarded by the Council on the recommendation of the Research Higher Degree Committee, UNSW Canberra (hereinafter referred to as the Committee) to a candidate who after satisfactorily completing a qualifying program comprising 48 units of credit in a relevant Masters by courses has, through the submission of a thesis based on his or her research, made an original and significant contribution to practice in the field of Public Management.

2. Entry Requirements
A candidate for the degree shall:
(a) have been awarded an appropriate degree of Bachelor with Honours from the University of New South Wales at a standard not below Honours Class 2:1 or a qualification considered equivalent from another university of tertiary institution;
or
(b) have been awarded an appropriate award of a Masters Degree or Graduate Diploma at an average of Credit from the University of New South Wales or a qualification considered equivalent from another university of tertiary institution;
or
(c) have had at least five years professional experience of a kind acceptable to the Committee AND have been awarded an appropriate degree of Bachelor from the University of New South Wales or a qualification considered equivalent form another university or tertiary institution,
and
(i) satisfy the Committee that the qualification is at a level and of a character indicating research potential;
or
(ii) submit other evidence satisfying the Committee of their research potential.
(2) In exceptional cases an applicant who submits evidence of such other academic and professional qualifications as may be approved by the Committee may be permitted to enrol for the degree.
(3) If the Committee is not satisfied with the qualifications submitted by an applicant it may require the applicant to undergo such assessment or carry out such work as the Committee may prescribe, before permitting enrolment.

3. Enrolment
(1) An application to enrol as a candidate for the degree shall be made online via myUNSW Apply Online for UNSW Canberra by the advertised due date.
(2) In every case before making the offer of a place the Committee shall be satisfied that initial agreement has been reached between the School and the applicant on the provision of adequate facilities to be prescribed and that these are in accordance with the provisions of the guidelines for promoting postgraduate study within the University.
(3) The candidate shall be enrolled as either a full-time or part-time student.
(4) A candidate will present the thesis for examination no earlier than four academic semesters and no later than six academic semesters from the date of enrolment for the degree, or part-time equivalent, except with the approval of the committee.
(5) The candidate must complete the coursework component before progressing to their proposed research project.
(6)This program has been designed with relevance to the workplace as a priority. Where relevant and feasible, and appropriate to the professional focus of the program, the research study is to be workplace-based, and candidates will in those circumstances not be required to be resident on campus during the research component of their project (appropriate supervision arrangements shall be arranged accordingly).
(7) The research shall be supervised by a team of at least two supervisors who are members of the academic staff of the School or under other appropriate supervision arrangements approved by the Committee in accordance with the HDR supervision policy.
(8) Supervision will be provided by the School of Business, UNSW Canberra.

4. Progression
(1) The progress of the candidate will be monitored by the Committee throughout the candidature via the Progress Review and Confirmation of Research Candidature procedure.

5. Thesis
(1) On completing the program of study a candidate must submit a thesis embodying the results of the investigation. The length of the thesis shall normally be not more than 60,000 words.
(2) The thesis must comply with UNSW Thesis Examination Procedures.

6. Examination
(1) The thesis must examined under the UNSW Thesis Examination Procedures.
(2) The Committee shall, after consideration of the examiners' reports and the results of any further work, recommend whether or not the candidate may be awarded the degree. If it is decided that the candidate be not awarded the degree the Committee shall determine whether or not the candidate be permitted to resubmit the thesis after a further period of study and/or research. If the decision of the Committee results non-award of the DPM the candidate may take out a Master of Business or equivalent degree on the basis of the coursework completed before the DPM thesis.

For information regarding fees for UNSW programs, please refer to the following website:  UNSW Fee Website.