The Doctor of Philosophy Program in Governance and Development is a unique interdisciplinary program offered by the Graduate School of Public Administration at NIDA, which emphasizes administration, competencies and knowledge that run through all organizations, both large and small. The program is designed to improve the skills of academics, researchers, executives and professionals from public and private agencies and institutions, including educational institutions, government agencies, business and non-government organizations in order for them to better serve their organizations.

The selection and training of future scholars and administrators a most serious responsibility in our society. How well these tasks are accomplished will be of great importance to the public and to all levels of government. As we move toward convergence of organizational goals within a changing social environment, contemporary administrators will be required to exercise their decision-making power in an increasingly complex and uncertain world. This program is expected to provide graduates with the requisite conceptual, analytical, and affective skills that are relevant to their goals and of significant value to society and to their workplace institution, business, or agency.