About the Public Administration, M.P.A. Program
The Master of Public Administration program is designed to provide students with the highest quality education in preparation for careers or advancement of careers and in public, nonprofit, and healthcare organizations. The program stresses the acquisition of academic theory and practical skill to foster an ethical and enduring commitment to public service values of serving the public interest with accountability and transparency; serving professionally with competence, efficiency, and objectivity; acting ethically to uphold the public trust; and demonstrating respect, equity, and fairness in dealings with the public and fellow workers.
The program provides students with a public service perspective to do the following:
- to lead and manage in public governance;
- to participate in and contribute to the policy process;
- to analyze, synthesize, think critically, solve problems and make decisions;
- to articulate and apply a public service perspective;
- to communicate and interact productively with a diverse and changing workforce and citizenry.
Applicants to the M.P.A. program should complete the Graduate School application process and submit two letters of reference. There are two M.P.A. degree concentrations.
Concentration 1: The M.P.A. degree is a non-thesis program that requires 39 hours of in-class coursework and a 3-hour internship. Of these hours, 21 are specified as core curriculum and must be completed by all students. The remaining hours are elective courses. The 3-hour internship can be substituted for in-service students with substantial public service work experience. In order to complete the required 42 hours, students who receive such approval will have a choice of submitting a report integrating their previous experience with the study of public administration or taking a 3-hour elective. There are no foreign language or thesis requirements. M.P.A. students must develop their courses of study in consultation with the department’s M.P.A. director. Terminal M.P.A. graduate students are required to complete, submit, and orally present a degree portfolio at the conclusion of their degree program.
Concentration 2: The 36-hour M.P.A. degree is a non-thesis program that requires 36 hours of in-class coursework. Of these hours, 21 are specified as core curriculum and must be completed by all students. The remaining hours are elective courses. In order to complete the required 36 hours, students who receive such approval will have a choice of submitting a report integrating their previous experience with the study of public administration or taking a 3-hour elective. There are no foreign language or thesis requirements. The 36-hour M.P.A. degree is for students who have at least five (5) years of substantive experiences in a Pubic/Non-Profit organization in the areas of management, supervision, or significant technical assistance. Eligibility for this option will be determined by an admissions committee of M.P.A. faculty.
Courses are scheduled so that the M.P.A. degree may be obtained in evening study.
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