Research Areas
The research areas of the Professional Doctorate in Public Administration (DAP) reflect the program’s commitment to strengthening state capacities and producing applied knowledge tailored to the Brazilian context. Designed in a complementary way, they address both the challenges of public administration and the processes involved in the public policy cycle, with a cross-cutting emphasis on public ethos and ethics in the public sector.
Capacities in Governance and Public Administration
This research area examines how to strengthen state capacities through the organizational dynamics of public administration, considering both intra-organizational and inter-organizational aspects. It covers topics such as budgeting, finance, accounting, strategic management, diversity, human resources, and leadership, always contextualized to the Brazilian public sector. It also investigates state–society relations, emphasizing innovative models of public service delivery and partnerships with the private sector and civil society. The aim is to provide an integrated understanding of contemporary public management challenges.
Capacities in Public Policy
This research area focuses on developing capacities for all stages of the public policy cycle, including design, formulation, implementation, monitoring, analysis, and evaluation of policies and programs. It examines how institutions and political systems shape these processes and uses policy analysis tools to assess the effects of institutional arrangements on policy outcomes. The area incorporates contemporary approaches such as intersectorality, social networks, and transversal governance, and values empirical studies in fields including digital government, education policy, technological innovation, public security, environment, sustainability, poverty, and democracy. Its goal is to contribute to the practical improvement of public policies in Brazil.
Course Structure
The course structure ensures a solid and integrated education aligned with the competencies required for reflective and practice-oriented work in Public Administration. The curriculum is designed to link theory and practice, with an emphasis on the application of knowledge in real settings. The pedagogical approach prioritizes active and integrative learning methods to promote analytical, critical, and collaborative skills.
CURRICULUM STRUCTURE
The Professional Doctorate in Public Administration is structured into three components:
- Required Courses (methodology and substantive): 8 courses (4 methodology and 4 substantive), providing a shared theoretical and methodological foundation.
- Elective Courses: Up to 10 courses for in-depth study of specialized topics.
- Research and Supervision Activities: Including qualifying exams and the development of the Final Project. Courses are offered in academic trimesters and are primarily taught in Portuguese.
Total Credits for Degree Completion
Para a obtenção do título de Doutor, o aluno deverá cumprir 47 créditos (705 horas-aula), distribuídos da seguinte forma:
- Required Courses (8 courses): 16 credits (240 hours)
- Elective Courses (up to 10 courses): 20 credits (300 hours)
- Qualifying Exams (2 stages): 4 credits (60 hours)
- Final Project Defense: 7 credits (105 hours)
Total Credits for Degree Completion
To earn the Doctorate, students must complete 47 credits (705 hours), distributed as follows:
Final Project Defense
The public defense is held before an examining committee with at least five PhD-level members, including:
- The advisor
- Two members external to FGV EBAPE
- Additional members as defined by program regulations
To be eligible for the defense, students must:
- Have their project approved in both qualifying exams
- Have completed 36 course credits
- Have a minimum overall grade of 7.0
- Have completed the credits associated with qualification and the Final Project
Upon final approval, the student becomes eligible to request the Doctorate in Public Administration diploma.
Course Documents
REGULATIONS
STUDENT MANUAL
Em Breve
CAPES Evaluation
FGV EBAPE’s graduate programs are periodically assessed by the Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES), which is responsible for monitoring and evaluating the performance of all programs within the National Graduate System (Sistema Nacional de Pós-Graduação – SNPG).
The Professional Doctorate in Public Administration (DAP) at FGV EBAPE was approved in 2024 with a grade of 5. This result reflects the program’s academic excellence, methodological rigor, and practical relevance.
