Master of Public Administration (MPA)

DESCRIPTION

The Master of Public Administration (MPA) program is designed to offer graduates of various undergraduate programs an opportunity to obtain high levels of proficiency in public management as the basis for an application of technical and managerial skills to enhance public service work. It aims at a broad-level understanding of the goals and problems of public administration, and the relationship of these to more specialized aspects of planning, organization, and the relationship of these to more specialized aspects of planning, organization, management, and analysis in the public sector at the national, state, and local levels. The degree program, while designed to provide advanced study and prepare current and future government employees for management positions in government at all levels, because of its focus on management, and the expanding role of the private sector in providing traditional governmental services, is also applicable in industry and the nonprofit sector. The degree is comprised of the following areas:

  1. General background on the administration of government in the United States at national, state, and local levels, and the interrelationships between these levels of government.
  2. An understanding of the concepts, theories, and methodologies to conduct research in the public sector.
  3. Study or organizational theory and behavior in organizations, particularly governmental organizations.
  4. A basic understanding of the civil service system and general personnel management in Government.
  5. A study of understanding of the relationships between the national economy and governmental budgeting, the implications of managing the national debt, and the practical and economic implications of funding government programs.
  6. An understanding of governmental regulation of the private sector and other aspects of administrative law.
  7. A study of analysis processes and concept in developing national, state and local policies to operate the vast array of governmental programs and organizations.
  8. A detailed understanding of one area of public sector specialization available from a list including Public Management, Public Personnel Management, Financial Management, Justice Administration, Education, Governmental Contracting, Health Care Administration, National Security Affairs , Information Management and Environmental Management.
ADMISSION STANDARDS

Entrance Exam Required - NO EXCEPTIONS!

Unconditional Admission
  1. Applicants who have completed a master’s or higher degree from a regionally accredited university will be admitted unconditionally. No test score is required. An official transcript showing completion of a master’s or higher degree is required. Students with a baccalaureate or master’s degree from an unaccredited or otherwise accredited institution should see Unaccredited or Otherwise Accredited Student Admission.
  2. Other applicants must meet BOTH of the following requirements:
    1. Hold a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited university with minimum overall undergraduate grade point average of 2.5 (4.0 scale) or 3.0 grade point average on the last 30 semester hours. All hours attempted in the term in which the 30 semester hours were reached will be used to calculate the grade point average. All transcripts are required for admission. Students with a baccalaureate or master’s degree from an unaccredited or otherwise accredited institution should see Unaccredited or Otherwise Accredited Student Admission.
    2. Have an acceptable score on the appropriate entrance exam (GRE 850 -verbal and quantitative, MAT 33, GMAT 450).
Conditional Admission

Conditional admission may be granted under certain circumstances to applicants who cannot satisfy all unconditional admission requirements to a graduate program. See conditional admission requirements in the general regulations section of the Bulletin. Students with a baccalaureate degree from an unaccredited or otherwise accredited institution should see Unaccredited or Otherwise Accredited Student Admission

CURRICULUM

All courses offer three semester hours of credit except PA 6625 and PA 6660, which offer one to three hours each.

TRANSFER/TRANSIENT CREDIT

A maximum of 12 semester hours taken at another regionally accredited university with a grade of “B” or better, can be applied to the degree. No more than 12 approved Professional Military Education (PME) hours may be used toward the transfer maximum of 12 semester credit hours.

REQUIREMENTS FOR ADMISSION TO CANDIDACY
  1. To be admitted to candidacy, students must have a 3.0 GPA on all work attempted.
  2. Unconditionally admitted graduate students may apply for admission to candidacy after completing 6 semester graduate hours and requirements as outlined for the specific degree program. A student will be admitted to candidacy the term following completion of 12 semester hours.

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