Public Administration, MPA

Program overview

The Master of Public Administration (MPA) is a professional degree program designed to prepare students to assume advanced positions in public service through a program of study that integrates the theory and practice of public administration. This program aspires to produce graduates who are literate in the field of public administration, have the skills to be effective managers of organizational resources, and possess the analytical abilities to be creative problem solvers.

Why study Public Administration?

Informed by the art and science of public problem-solving, the graduate programs in the Howard H. Baker Jr. School of Public Policy and Public Affairs empower students to advance the public good through innovative teaching, high-quality research, and community engagement. In the MPA, you’ll learn from experienced faculty who bring real-world public service expertise into every lesson, and you will have several opportunities to engage and network with other public service professionals across the country, online, and in-person.

What can you do with a masters in public administration after graduation?

An MPA prepares individuals for leadership, management, and policy analysis roles within government agencies, nonprofit organizations, the private sector, and more. Graduates with an MPA can work as city managers, policy analysts, program directors, or consultants, focusing on improving public services, managing budgets, and implementing social or environmental policies.

Featured Courses

HBS 532 – Public Financial Administration

Principles and techniques of public finance at state and local levels: budget preparation, execution, and audit, risk management, capital planning, major tax structures, economic forecasting, cash management, and debt administration.

HBS 535 – Emergency Management

Existing policies and agencies in the area of emergency preparedness and response at the federal, state, and local levels. Emphasis on case studies of past incidents, emergencies, disasters, and catastrophes.

HBS 533 – Human Resource Management in Public Organizations

Contemporary issues, challenges, methods, and strategies related to effective management of human resources in the public sector.

IAC 501 – Ethical Leadership in Public Affairs

Approaches to common ethical challenges in public affairs and the mechanisms required to ensure accountability, transparency, and responsibility.

Admissions and Aid

Admissions Standards and Procedures

Applicants for admission to the program must have a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent.
An overall GPA of 3.00 for undergraduate courses is desirable.
Students must submit a personal statement and a resume/CV.
3 Letters of recommendations.
Submit the online application to the Office of Graduate Admissions.

The program seeks to admit a diverse group of students with strong ability and career potential who are committed to public service. Applicants who do not have a degree from an accredited U.S. institution must supply a GRE score. A composite score of 302 on the verbal and quantitative parts of the GRE is desired but not required.

Admission Deadlines

Fall Semester Priority Application Deadline for funding: February 15
Fall Semester Admission Application Deadline: July 15
Spring Semester Priority Application Deadline for funding: November 15
Spring Semester Admission Application Deadline: December 1
Summer semester Admission Application Deadline: May 15

Required Courses (21 Hours)

Applicants for admission to the program must complete the required prerequisites and pre-major core courses with a 2.5 GPA or higher.

HBS 501 Perspectives on the Policy Process

Commonly applied theoretical approaches to the study of the policy process, with a focus on how different theoretical perspectives generate variable understandings of policy problems and solutions.

HBS 504 Public Administration

Overview of public administration theory and functions.

HBS 512 Research Design & Data Acquisition

Basic assumptions and techniques of research in public administration: measurement, analysis, and reporting of data.

HBS 531 Public Management

Interpersonal and leadership skills, techniques and methods for planning, decision making, and implementation of management strategies in the public sector.

HBS 532 Public Financial Administration

HBS 533 Human Resource Management in Public Organization

Contemporary issues, challenges, methods, and strategies related to effective management of human resources in the public sector.

IAC 501 Ethical Leadership in Public Affairs

Approaches to common ethical challenges in public affairs and the mechanisms required to ensure accountability, transparency, and responsibility.

Concentrations

A 9-credit (3 courses) concentration is required to complete the degree.

* – Indicates that other courses not listed below for the specialization may be accepted upon approval by the Director of Graduate Studies.

Economic and Community Development*

The Economic and Community Development concentration prepares students to evaluate government decisions on economic growth, land use planning, and the delivery of public services. By combining policy analysis with applied economic tools, this concentration prepares graduates to work at the intersection of public policy and economic development, leading initiatives that drive growth and foster vibrant communities.

HBS 503 Administrative Law and Regulatory Policymaking: Legal foundations of the administrative state. Agency implementation of legislation through rulemaking, enforcement, and adjudication. Legislative oversight, executive control, and judicial review of agency actions.

HBS 523 Regional Economics (with UTIA/AREC): Sources of regional economic growth and development and the spatial distribution of people (including migration) and business. Effects of policy on regional economic activity, urban/rural land use and the role of public infrastructure. Regional spillovers and policy coordination. Prerequisite HBS 521 or equivalent.

HBS 544 Planning and Land Use: Regional planning within a legal, regulatory, social and political context. Environmental and sustainable development. Role for public, private and nonprofit entities in affecting regional performance. Project evaluation, economic impact analysis, economic development incentives, including tax-increment financing and development impact fees and taxes. Community engagement. Land use regulation and zoning.

To earn optional Agricultural and Environmental Policy Certificate, select one course below

IAC 502 The Art of the Possible: Conflict, communication, consensus building, and compromise in public policymaking. Emphasis on case studies.

Student may want to complete the Tennessee Certified Economic Developer program with the Institute for Public Service.

Emergency Management*

The Emergency Management concentration equips students with the knowledge and skills to prevent, plan for, respond to, and recover from disasters and complex crises. Students explore hazard analysis and management, strategies for collaboration and communication during crises, and approaches to preparedness and risk mitigation, building the capacity to lead effectively in high-stakes environments.

HBS 535 Emergency Management: Existing policies and agencies in the area of emergency preparedness and response at the federal, state, and local levels. Emphasis on case studies of past incidents, emergencies, disasters, and catastrophes.

HBS 534 Public Organization, Theory, and Behavior: Examination of organizational theory and behavior with emphasis on implications for public management. Includes theories of decision-making, leadership, communications, and group dynamics.

To earn optional Emergency Management Certificate:

HBS 537 Leading Across Difference: Leading and managing diverse teams to achieve collective goals.

Students may want to complete the Master Public Information Officer Certification or Public Sector Safety and Health Fundamentals Certification program with the Institute for Public Service

Nonprofit Management*

The Nonprofit Management concentration prepares students to lead with impact in mission-driven organizations. Designed around the unique challenges and opportunities of the nonprofit sector, this concentration covers strategy, fundraising, social innovation, and effective governance, equipping graduates with the skills to advance organizational success and strengthen communities.

HBS 536 Nonprofit Management: An overview of the history, scope, and management of not-for-profit organizations.

To earn optional Nonprofit Management Certificate, select one course:

HBS 537 Leading Across Difference: Leading and managing diverse teams to achieve collective goals.

ALEC 520 Leadership Development in Organizations and Community Nonprofit: Application of concepts related to developing leaders for organizing and maintaining extension and community nonprofit organizations. The foundation of this course is grounded in traditional and contemporary leadership philosophies and practices, but emphasizes leadership in agricultural professions.

Students may want to complete the Tennessee Certified Public Manager or Certified Municipal Finance Office or Certified County Finance Officer program with the Institute for Public Service.

Policy Analytics*

The Policy Analytics concentration equips students to harness data to generate insights and solutions to pressing public problems. With advanced training in data analysis, visualization, and policy evaluation, students are prepared to analyze public policy problems using cutting edge techniques and to communicate their insights to a broad audience.

HBS 512 Research Design and Data Acquisition: Methods for planning and executing research from experiments to case studies. Development of research questions and hypotheses, measurement issues, and validity of inferences. Basic assumptions and techniques of research in public policy including measurement, analysis, acquiring and reporting data.

HBS 513 Data Driven Decisions: Methods and analytic tools used to translate data into models and forecasts to support public decision making. Emphasis on econometrics and simulation approaches including linear regression and maximum likelihood methods.

To earn optional Policy Analytics Certificate:

HBS 514 Policy Communication and Data Visualization: Approaches to communication complex scientific and policy information to varied audiences, media training, as well as data visualization.

Internship

A 3-credit hour internship (HBS 591) is required for all students who lack significant administrative experience. Students who have had such experience in the past or who are currently employed in administrative positions may have the requirement waived, as long as they have more than one year of continuous professional, managerial experience. Students wishing to waive the internship requirement should address the request to [email protected]. Students who waive the internship must take an additional elective to obtain the 36 required credits.

HBS 591 Internship: 3 Credit Hours | Approved internships and other professional opportunities. Open to students participating in approved internship programs.

Grading Restriction: Satisfactory/No Credit grading only.

Capstone

A 3-credit hour capstone course (HBS 596) is required. All non-executive MPA candidates are required to take this course, preferably during the last semester in the program. The Capstone serves in lieu of a comprehensive exam for the MPA degree.

HBS 596 Capstone: Completion of an applied administrative or research project developed by the student working with an external project client.

Prerequisite: students must have completed at least 25 graduate hours in the Baker School. Registration Permission: Consent from the Director of Graduate Studies.

Graduation Requirements

To qualify for graduation, students must have at least a 3.00 grade point average in all courses attempted for graduate credit. Students who do not maintain a 3.00 grade point average are subject to denial of enrollment privileges. Student files are evaluated each semester to determine eligibility for continued enrollment.