The goal of the doctoral program in Public Administration is to support the advancement of the field, to create new knowledge, to improve quality of research. The program prepares independent, highly qualified researchers and academic cadre for higher educational institutions, analytical research centers, public sector and other interested organizations. A doctor of Public Administration has deep knowledge of the field and is able to contribute to the development of the field of Public Administration by generating and commercializing knew knowledge.
The Goals of the PhD program in Public Administration are:
- Generating new knowledge in the field of Public Administration;
- Preparing highly qualified researchers
- Developing commercialization of scientific products in the field of Public Administration
An eligible candidate for Public Administration Doctoral Program must hold a Master’s or equivalent academic degree in the fields of Public Administration or related one. Exceptions may be granted by the decision of Dissertation Board, based on an assessment of the candidate's research experience and relevant qualifications.
Research topics defined according to the advising competencies of the program's academic personnel can be found at the following link.
The functioning of the Public Administration Doctoral Program is supported by appropriate human resources. The learning component is led by the academic personnel of the university, as well as invited specialists with relevant experience and competencies. Additional information on human resources can be found in Appendix Program description.
Beyond the academic process of the program, the university offers various types of support to PhD students through the Research Department. Students can participate in a small internal grant competition and collaborate on research projects with academic staff. The University Research Department also provides funding for various research-related activities; for instance, after successfully defending their prospectus, doctoral students have the opportunity to receive a competitive university doctoral scholarship to cover the financial costs necessary for conducting empirical research for their dissertation.
GIPA - Georgian Institute of Public Affairs offers sabbatical leave to employees who are in the final stages of their doctoral research to complete their thesis. Additionally, the university provides 75% tuition fee funding for employees. Profiles of doctoral students will be added to the scientific portal created within the framework of the ERASMUS+ KA2 program funded by the European Union - "Supporting the Development of Scientific Research in Higher Educational Institutions of Georgia" (Raising Research Capacity of Georgian HEIs through Developing R&D Units – HERD - https://herd.tsu.ge/). Internationalization mechanisms at the university and tools supporting participation in scientific conferences are also available to doctoral program students. Besides, the University Research Department further supports doctoral students by providing information on scientific grant projects and offering consultations on obtaining and realizing scientific projects.
To achieve the learning outcomes of the Public Administration Doctoral program, students are provided with necessary infrastructure and material-technical resources without restrictions.
A graduate of the Doctoral Program is qualified to take on researcher/ analyst positions in research institutions, non-governmental organizations, public and private sectors, etc.
Curriculum of PhD program in Public Administration
Dissertation Council of the School of Social Sciences and Doctorate Regulations
Dissertation Board of School of Social Sciences
GIPA – Georgian Institute of Public Affairs is announcing admission to the doctoral program in Public Administration:
Interested candidates must submit the following documents:
- Professional biography (CV);
- Completed application form Download here
- A copy of a Master's or equivalent academic degree in Public Administration or related fields, etc;
- The recognition of the diploma confirming education received abroad must be validated by the National Center for Educational Quality Enhancement;
- Transcript of the Master’s degree;
- Copy of identity card;
- Biometric photo (3x4 cm);
- PhD research project (minimum 1,000 words). See the form
A PhD candidate is required to have a B2 level of English, which must be confirmed by an internal university exam or an international English language proficiency certificate (TOEFL (P/B 513 score; I/BT 87score); IELTS (5.5 Band); FCE; BEC Vantage; PTE (General level 3); PTE Academic (59p); Michigan ECCE). Candidates who have completed a Master's or Bachelor's program in English, either in Georgia or abroad, are exempt from submitting an English language test score or certificate.
Internal admission procedures:
- Exam in English Language;
- Interview with the admission committee; (See the list of potential field-related questions here)
Selection criteria
- Motivation;
- Publishing in academic journals;
- Knowledge of the field;
- Presented research project;
- Professional biography, educational/research activities.
Applications are submitted via email to m.dotiashvili@gipa.ge
For additional information, contact a coordinator of Doctoral Programs - Mrs. Mariam Dotiashvili, Tel: 595659556.
Note: If you have completed your Master's degree outside of Georgia, you must submit both the diploma certifying the degree and a recognition document issued by the National Center for Educational Quality Enhancement confirming the recognition of the education received abroad.
The cost of the program for one year is 3,300 GEL. Payment can be made in two installments, corresponding to the semesters.
If the doctoral student fails to complete the doctoral thesis within three years, they may take up to an additional four semesters, provided they have obtained the 60 credits required for the learning component and need extra time to complete their doctoral research.
In the case of taking one additional semester, the doctoral student is required to pay half of the annual cost.
Bank requisites
SS „ TBC Bank“
Bank code: TBCB GE 22
Recipient: NNLE GIPA - Georgian Institute of Public Affairs;
Account Number: GE84TB1100000110700419 / GEL
Tuition fee could be paid in any branch of TBC bank, from all places in Georgia.
While payment, please indicate program title and your ID number.
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Tiko Tsomaia – “Selective Abortion and Media”
Ivane Tsertsvadze – “The impact of risk and benefit discounting factors on patterns of economic behavior in addiction groups”
Ketevan Mumladze - “Refraction of the Concepts of Perestroika and Glasnost in the Georgian Print Media “
Paata Medzvelia - “The leading European countries’ main economic growth indicators effect in the medium-term perspective”
Tamar Kakhadze - “The Role and Influence of the Russian Federation on the Integration Process of Georgia in the North Atlantic Treaty Ogranization in 1999-2008”
As part of the partnership between Troy University and GIPA - Georgian Institute of Public Affairs, an online academic journal titled "Journal of Politics and Democratization" was created. This new, interdisciplinary, peer-reviewed online journal allows PhD students to publish their work upon successful double-blind review.
Web address of the online academic journal: https://gipa.ge/JPD
Mariam Dotiashvili
Coordinator
E-mail: m.dotiashvili@gipa.ge
Cell phone: +995 598 735 474
Address: Tbilisi, Rustavi highway #22a
