Public Administration (MPA)

36-41 credits

This degree provides graduate professional education to students who wish to prepare for careers in public management at the federal, state, or local government level, with nonprofit organizations, or with private sector corporations extensively involved with government. A fulltime student can complete the MPA program, including internship, in two academic years. The requirements of the program ensure that each student will have a theoretical understanding and practical awareness of public policy and of the principles of management and administration in the public sector and nonprofit sector.

The flexibility of the program allows students to tailor an interdisciplinary curriculum to their needs, objectives, and goals. Program options include disciplinary concentrations, which allow students to combine the study of public administration and policy with course work in substantive policy areas.

Alternatively, students may choose to build a customized course of study through elective courses. Each student’s background will be evaluated individually, and recommendations on program content will be made according to the student’s educational and job experiences and career
plans. Selection of such courses must be made in consultation with the major advisor. Students may complete part of their MPA elective courses in such departments as accounting,
criminal justice and criminology, information and communication science, economics, journalism, educational leadership, marketing, management, natural resources and environmental management, social work, and sociology.

Many opportunities exist for student participation in workshops and experiential learning settings where students can interact with public and nonprofit administrators. Students
without appropriate professional experience will be required to complete a full-time internship for credit.

Before graduation, all students must pass written examination, which consists of a portfolio of work that includes:

• Majors papers produced by the students in the courses in the core area of study.
• Majors papers produced to fulfill the student’s research requirements, and
• An evaluative, reflective essay of 10-15 pages that describes how the process of creating this body of work has enhanced the student’s knowledge and competency for public service.

The MPA examination committee, consisting of three faculty members from the MPA core faculty, will review the portfolio.

Degree requirements

• Research Methods in Political Science
• Policy Design and Advocacy
• Introduction to Public and Nonprofit Administration
• Managing Organizations for Public Services
• Managing Human Resources for Public Services
• Public and Nonprofit Financial Management

• Research Seminar
• Research Paper
• Thesis

• Research Methods in Political Science
• Policy Design and Advocacy
• Introduction to Public and Nonprofit Administration
• Managing Organizations for Public Services
• Managing Human Resources for Public Services
• Public and Nonprofit Financial Management

• Research Seminar
• Research Paper
• Thesis

• Criminal Justice Administration
• Interpersonal Relations in Criminal Justice
• Philosophical Aspects of Criminal Justice Practice
• Independent Study in Criminal Justice

• Research Methods in Political Science
• Policy Design and Advocacy
• Introduction to Public and Nonprofit Administration
• Managing Organizations for Public Services
• Managing Human Resources for Public Services
• Public and Nonprofit Financial Management

• Research Seminar
• Research Paper
• Thesis

• Information and Communication Technologies, Standards and Lab I
• Information and Communication Technologies, Standards and Lab II

• Seminar in Computer Science
• Systems Engineering in Information & Communication Technology
• Knowledge Management
• Evolving Database Systems
• Internet, TCP/IP, and Internetworking
• Introduction to Computer and Network Security
• Electronic Commerce
• other courses as approved by the ICT certificate advisor

• Research Methods in Political Science
• Policy Design and Advocacy
• Introduction to Public and Nonprofit Administration
• Managing Organizations for Public Services
• Managing Human Resources for Public Services
• Public and Nonprofit Financial Management

• Research Seminar
• Research Paper
• Thesis

• Rural Social Work
• Social Work Practice 1
• Social Welfare Policy and Programs
• Social Work with Elders

• Diversity, Oppression, and Privilege
• Social Work Practice 2
• Micro Perspectives of Human Behavior in the Social Environment
• Macro Perspectives of Human Behavior in the Social Environment
• Social Work in Health Care
• Advanced Social Welfare Policyand Programs