Public Administration, M.P.A.

Program Overview:

The Master of Public Administration program is a professional degree for leaders and analysts in public and nonprofit organizations.

Student Learning Outcomes

Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) for MPA Public Administration
1	Students will demonstrate an ability to lead, motivate, and manage a diverse workplace- within and across organizations.
2	Students will demonstrate an ability to analyze policy alternatives and use policy instruments and management tools to address social problems.
3	Students will be able to analyze, synthesize, think critically, solve problems, and make decisions.

Admission

In addition to meeting the minimum standards for admission to the Graduate School, applicants must provide 3 letters of recommendation from individuals with knowledge of their professional or academic background, a resume, and a personal statement.

Degree Requirements

Overview

36 total hours needed to complete the degree
27 hours of required courses
9 hours of electives
6 hours of thesis research and a thesis, or 6 hours of capstone courses and a final project. All masters students must include at least 15 hours of courses numbered 6000 or above in their programs of study.

Required Courses

PADM 6001 - Research Methods - Public Administration - Credits: 3
PADM 6010 - Profession of Public Admin - Credits: 3
URBN 5140 - Citizen Participation - Credits: 3
PADM 6110 - Public Budgeting - Credits: 3
PADM 6160 - Law and Ethics of Public Admin - Credits: 3
PADM 6401 - Administrative Behavior - Credits: 3
AADM 6621 - Grant Writing - Credits: 3
PADM 6901 - MPA Capstone - Credits: 3
PADM 6201 - Program Evaluation - Credits: 3

Thesis/Final Project Option

Students must choose either the thesis or the final project option

Thesis Option

PADM 7000 - Thesis Research - Credits: 1 - 9 (Variable) plus the thesis
Thesis students may take Capstone I in lieu of three hours of thesis research.

Final Project Option

This is an applied project completed in conjunction with a public service job or internship while enrolled in

PADM 6901 - MPA Capstone - Credits: 3

Nonprofit Leadership Concentration

The MPA program offers a concentration in nonprofit leadership (NPL). The concentration consists of 9 hours: NPL students must complete the following courses which are currently offered under the Special Topics course

PADM 5220 - Nonprofit Sector - Credits: 3
PADM 5221 - Collaboration - Credits: 3
PADM 5224 - Nonprofit Leadership - Credits: 3

U.S. Hazard Policy & Administration Concentration

The MPA program offers a concentration in U.S. Hazard Policy & Administration. The concentration consists of 9 hours.

U.S. Hazard Policy & Administration students must complete the following courses:

PADM 6130 - U.S. Disaster Policy - Credits: 3
URBN 5150 - Planning for Hazards - Credits: 3
PADM 5800 - Spec Studies-Urban Problems - Credits: 3