Educational Goals

The Department of Public Administration aims to cultivate talents equipped with creative planning and management skills, logical problem-solving abilities, adaptive capacity to change, and strong work performance skills in preparation for the era of globalization, informatization, and decentralization. Accordingly, the main educational content includes planning and research methodology, human resources and organizational theory, financial administration and government accounting, policy decision-making and policy analysis, local and urban administration, social welfare administration, and more.

Major Fields of Study

• Master’s Program Major in Public Administration
• Doctoral Program Major in Public Administration

Faculty Information

Department Regulations

A. For Admission

• Admissions are conducted through both special and general admission tracks. The ratio of students admitted through each track is determined by the department chair in consultation with the faculty.
• International applicants for Master’s and Doctoral programs must be proficient in either Korean or English.
• Applicants from equivalent or related academic fields, or graduates from similar disciplines in Korea or abroad, may be recognized for admission. The Department of Public Administration and Graduate School Committee will review and approve eligibility. Other matters follow the general admission regulations of the Graduate School.

  Eligible related fields include: Political Science & Diplomacy, Public Policy, Social Welfare, Law, Police Administration, Real Estate.

B. Matters Concerning Credit Acquisition

• Credit Requirements
  • Master’s program: A total of 26 credits (including 2 credits for thesis research).
  • Doctoral program: A total of 40 credits (including 4 credits for thesis research).
• Requirements for Supplementary Courses
  • For master’s program entrants whose undergraduate major is different, they must take one supplementary course (3 credits) from the list of core subjects designated by their academic advisor.
  • For doctoral program entrants whose master’s program major is different, they must take two supplementary courses (6 credits), including equivalent substitute major courses.

    Course Title	Credits	Hours
    Introduction to Public Administration	3	3
    Administrative Organization Theory	3	3
    Human Resource Administration	3	3
    Public Finance Administration	3	3
    Policy Decision-Making Theory	3	3
    Local Autonomy Theory	3	3

C. Matters Concerning Selection of Thesis Advisor

• The selection of a thesis advisor must be applied for after the student has had a prior consultation with a full-time faculty member and received approval. The department chair and academic advisor will finalize the assignment of the advisor.
• If the advisor is unable to continue due to long-term absence (such as study abroad) within one year, the student must consult with the department chair and academic advisor to request a change of advisor, submit the necessary documents, and
• receive approval from the graduate school dean. However, the newly assigned advisor cannot participate in the thesis evaluation.
  The change must be completed at the beginning of the semester (March, September).

D. Concerning Foreign Language Examination

The foreign language examination for both master’s and doctoral programs will be conducted in English

For Comprehensive Examination

The comprehensive exam consists of two subjects for the Master’s program and three subjects for the Doctoral program. (Exam subjects are designated by the department chair from among the student’s completed coursework)

For Thesis Submission and Examination

• Thesis Submission Requirements
  • Applicants must meet the following conditions
    • Completion of required course
    • Acquisition of required research credits.
    • Enrollment for more than 4 regular semesters.
    • Passing foreign language and comprehensive exams.
    • Completion of a thesis proposal presentation prior to submission.
    • Payment of research registration fees (once per semester during thesis work).
  • Master’s Program
    • Must have obtained research credits.
    • Must have submitted a Research Plan and received at least one semester of guidance from an advisor.
  • Doctoral Program
    • Must have obtained research credits for at least four semesters.
    • Must have presented the thesis plan publicly at least once and received advisor approval.
• Master’s Thesis Proposal
  • Thesis proposal presentations are held in March (Spring) and September (Fall).
  • Research Plan present
    • Students must submit their Research Plan to the department and advisor
    • The plan must include sufficient references, research methodology, and should not exceed 10 A4 pages (excluding references).
• Master’s Program Research Substitute (Graduation Requirement)
  • Students may submit a Research Report instead of a thesis, following university guidelines.
  • Advisor consultation and approval are required.
  • The same rules as thesis proposals apply for submission and presentation.
• Doctor’s thesis Proposal
  • Doctoral students must present at least one thesis at an academic conference prior to dissertation submission. In special cases, equivalent achievements may be recognized upon faculty approval.
  • Thesis proposals must be presented publicly within the department before final submission.
  • Research Plans follow the same rules as the Master’s program (10 copies, methodology, references, ≤10 A4 pages).
• Preliminary Thesis Examination
  • Provides feedback for revisions and improvements.
  • Conducted before the final submission.
  • The review committee consists of the advisor, department chair, and faculty recommendation.
• Final Thesis Examination
  • Master’s thesis : One-time final defense; committee includes the advisor and two faculty members.
  • Master’s research report : Evaluated by two faculty members including the advisor.
  • Doctoral thesis : Three rounds of defenses; committee of five members (up to two external experts allowed).