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DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION

Master of Public Administration Degree

The Master of Public Administration (MPA) program is fully accredited by the National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration (NASPAA). Its mission is to prepare students for careers and leadership roles in public and nonprofit organizations and to nurture their commitment to ethical public service in a diverse society.

Program Admission Requirements. Applicants must satisfy University-wide graduate admission requirements, submit a letter of intent, and complete an undergraduate course in both research methods or statistics (3 hours) and U.S. government or politics (3 hours). The 500 word letter of intent should state the applicant’s reasons for pursuing the MPA, how their educational and/or career experience has prepared them for the MPA program, and how the degree will help the applicant achieve her or his goals. Two letters of recommendation are required from persons familiar with the applicant’s academic and/or work abilities. Applicants may be admitted as unconditional, conditional, or special graduate students. Admission as a special graduate student does not guarantee subsequent admission as a degree-seeking student; such students must reapply for degree-seeking status.

Degree Requirements. The minimum number of semester credit hours required for the degree, exclusive of coursework or other study required to remove deficiencies, is 39. In addition to these basic degree requirements, students without previous work experience that supports attainment of careers and leadership roles in public and non-profit organizations must complete an additional 6 semester credit hours of PAD 6963,6 Internship.

Degree candidates must complete the following requirements:
  1. 24 semester credit hours of core courses:

    PAD 5003 Introduction to Public Administration
    PAD 5023 Quantitative Methods for Public Administration
    PAD 5033 Theories of Public Organizations
    PAD 5233 Scope and Methods of Inquiry
    PAD 5323 Public Policy Formulation and Implementation
    PAD5343 Human Resource Management in the Public Sector
    PAD 5363 Public Sector Financial Management
    PAD 5393 Economics for Public Administrators

    Normally, students enroll in PAD 5003 Introduction to Public Administration during their initial semester.

  2. 12 semester credit hours of electives, chosen in consultation with a faculty advisor to meet degree candidates’ professional needs.

  3. Comprehensive examination. Degree candidates are required to pass an oral comprehensive examination.The examination is administered in the form of a presentation to a faculty committee of the exit paper written by the student in the required PAD 6923 Applied Research course.
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