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American University in the Emirates

Al Rowaiyah , Dubai ,United Arab Emirates

Doctorate in Leadership and Public Administration

Lead with Vision. Inspire Change. Transform Public Leadership.
The Doctor of Leadership and Public Administration (DLPA) at the American University in the Emirates (AUE) is a prestigious doctoral programme designed for experienced professionals, senior executives, government leaders, policymakers, military and security professionals, and aspiring scholars who are committed to shaping the future of leadership, governance, and public administration through impactful research and evidence-based practice.

Developed in alignment with AUE's mission, the UAE National Strategy for Higher Education 2030, and the UAE Vision 2031, the DLPA responds to the growing demand for highly qualified leaders capable of addressing complex governance, organizational, and societal challenges in an increasingly dynamic global environment. The programme combines rigorous doctoral education with applied research to develop innovative solutions that advance leadership excellence, public sector performance, policy development, and sustainable governance.
More than a doctoral qualification, the DLPA is a platform for developing influential leaders who can transform organizations, shape public policy, and contribute to national and international development. Students engage in advanced coursework, interdisciplinary research, and doctoral thesis supervision while exploring contemporary issues in strategic leadership, governance, digital government, public policy, organizational transformation, innovation, sustainability, and evidence-based decision-making.
A distinctive feature of the programme is its bilingual delivery in both English and Arabic, making advanced doctoral education accessible to a wider community of professionals while fostering cross-cultural collaboration and regional impact. Guided by distinguished faculty with extensive academic and professional expertise, students develop advanced research competencies, critical thinking, and strategic leadership capabilities that enable them to generate meaningful knowledge and deliver practical solutions to today's most pressing public and organizational challenges.
 

Accreditation

  • Commission for Academic Accreditation (CAA)
  • Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)

Intakes

  • May
  • Dec

Application Processing Time in Days: 25

Minimum English Language Requirements

English Level Description IELTS (1.0 -9.0) TOEFL IBT (0-120) TOEFL CBT (0-300) PTE (10-90)
Expert 9 120 297-300 86-90
Very Good 8.5 115-119 280-293 83-86
Very Good 8 110-114 270-280 79-83
Good 7.5 102-109 253-267 73-79
Good 7 94-101 240-253 65-73
Competent 6.5 79-93 213-233 58-65
Competent 6 60-78 170-210 50-58
Modest 5.5 46-59 133-210 43-50
Modest 5 35-45 107-133 36-43
Limited 4 32-34 97-103 30-36
Extremely Limited < 4 < 31 < 93 < 30

Job Opportunity Potential

Graduates of the DLPA emerge as research-driven leaders equipped to influence public policy, strengthen governance systems, lead organizational transformation, contribute to academic scholarship, and create sustainable value across government, public institutions, private organizations, and international agencies.

Admission Requirement / Eligibility Criteria

Applicants to the Doctoral programs must satisfy all of the following admission requirements:
1. Academic Qualification:
Hold a Master's degree in a relevant discipline from an accredited higher education institution, with a minimum cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, or its equivalent.

2. English Language Requirements:
Demonstrate proficiency in English by submitting a valid test score meeting one of the following minimum requirements:
• IELTS: Overall band score of 6.5
• TOEFL IBT: Minimum score of 91
The English test score must be less than two years old at the time of application.

Exceptions to English Language Proficiency

  • A native speaker of English who has completed his/her Master's degree in an English-medium institution and in a country where English is the official or de facto national language; or
  • An applicant with a Master's degree in an English-medium program who can provide evidence of acquiring a minimum IELTS Academic score of 6.0 or its equivalent, at the time of admission to his/her Master's program.

3. Research Proposal Submission:
Submit a research proposal of 1,500-2,000 words clearly outlining the proposed research topic, objectives, preliminary literature context, and intended methodology.

4. Letters of Recommendation:
Provide two letters of recommendation from academic and/or professional referees who can attest to the applicant's academic ability and research potential.

5. Admissions Interview:
Successfully complete an admissions interview conducted by the Doctoral Admissions Committee. Final recommendation must include a written justification from the Dean for final approval from the Graduate Studies Steering Committee.

6. Professional Experience:
Relevant professional experience in the field shall be considered an added merit during the admissions assessment process.

Conditional Admission
New candidates for doctoral program who are unable to obtain the required score for the English proficiency requirements stipulated in the "New candidate" part prior to their admission are conditionally admitted to the program in the condition that they achieve a minimum of a TOEFL ITP 500 or its equivalents prior to their admission at the university. Conditionally admitted students should fulfil the English entry requirements stipulated in the "new candidate" part before the end of their first semester at the university and can enroll at no more than 6 credit hours during their first semester. Students who fail to fulfill the above condition, will not be able to enroll for any further semesters until they fulfill the English entry requirements of their programs.

 

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  • Course Type: Full Time
  • Course Level: Doctoral Degree/PhD
  • Duration: 04 Year  
  • Total Tuition Fee: 252000 AED
    Average Cost of Living: 24000 AED /year
    Application Fee: N/A
This Institution is not directly represented by us and applications / visa support (to them) attract a nominal charge
Disclaimer: PSA updates the information on this page from time to time; however, there may have been more recent updates. Please refer to the university website for the latest information.