VALDOSTA — Valdosta State University continues to develop as one of the state’s premier universities as it expands its programs to offer a doctorate of public administration degree.

The public administration master’s program began years ago at VSU and has added course offerings as student enrollment increased. As university administrators began to see an increased interest in the field over the years, several began working with the University System of Georgia to upgrade the program’s degree offerings.

“We first began exploring the possibility of this program about 10 years ago,” said Dr. Nolan J. Argyle, coordinator of the MPA program and dean of Faculty at Kings Bay. “We began an online track in masters public administration first, and wanted to get that working really well before the doctorate program was added. The online masters program has been up and running well for more than four years now, and so we submitted a formal proposal for the DPA program last year.”

In 2006, the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia underwent several changes, including the selection and inauguration of new chancellor Erroll Davis Jr. Those changes would delay the approval process for some time, but with nearly 50 MPA graduates each year, administrators as well as legislative supporters remained confident that the need for a DPA program at VSU would soon gain attention.

“I’m aware that they’ve been working for quite some time, but what has to happen is that the university system has to sense a need. The USG began to sense that need once they saw the number of VSU graduates in the master of public administration program,” said former Rep. Ron Borders. “A terminal degree in that field is the doctorate, or Ph.D., and with the number of graduates, a lot of people want to go on and further their education and get more expertise in their field. With the number of grads we’ve put forth in the last years, the demand built up to the point where the smart thing to do was for the university system to allow VSU to teach at a doctorate level.”

The DPA program is expected to begin in the fall, and will build on the existing MPA degree program. Designed primarily as an Internet-based program, it will allow students to develop as professional public managers and leaders, providing non-traditional students an opportunity to complete the degree, while also continuing full-time employment.

“This is the only doctorate in the public administration program right now in the state, and it’s designed to serve practicing professionals in Georgia and the nation,” said Louis Levy, vice president for Academic Affairs. “This program is for people who have jobs and want to increase their training and skills. It’s a flexible, innovative program, using very powerful technology, and it’s for non-traditional students who have completed their masters level degree.”

The DPA program goes deeper in depth and better prepares practicing professionals for effective service within their fields.

“The DPA program is designed primarily for government and non-profit agency professionals, to enhance their management capability,” said Argyle. “We have a number of people in the city and county governments who have expressed an interest in the program. The degree of training in this program goes beyond that of a PA degree, and will particularly assist government officials in analyzing policy issues, making policy choices, and will enhance their management and interpersonal skills in the workplace.”

Valdosta City Councilman Alvin Payton Jr., who is also director of literacy at Valdosta Technical College, graduated from Valdosta State’s MPA program and was pleased to hear of the program’s recent advancement.

“This is a long time coming for VSU, and I’m very elated and just looking forward to the program expanding and enhancing our community,” said Payton.

“When I graduated from the MPA program in 1995, they were looking at pursuing a doctorate program around that time, so I’m really happy to hear that it’s coming about. It’s a win-win for the entire community and in fact, I’m considering pursing my doctorate now in the field. I would definitely suggest to anyone with an interest in the public to take part in this program.”

For information, call the office of Academic Affairs at (229) 333-5950.