Master of Public Administration
Master of Public Administration
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.
What an MPA Offers
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.
Getting the MPA
The degree consists of a total of 36 graduate credit hours and includes an internship and a capstone. No thesis is required for completion of the degree.
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.
Required Courses (21 credit hours)
HBS 501 Perspectives on the Policy Process
3 Credit Hours 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 502 Public Administration
3 Credit Hours Overview of public administration theory and functions.
HBS 511 Working with Data
3 Credit Hours Basic assumptions and techniques of research in public administration: measurement, analysis, and reporting of data.
HBS 531 Public Management
3 Credit Hours 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
3 Credit Hours 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 533 Human Resource Management in Public Organization
3 Credit Hours Contemporary issues, challenges, methods, and strategies related to effective management of human resources in the public sector.
IAC 501 Ethical Leadership in Public Affairs
3 Credit Hours Approaches to common ethical challenges in public affairs and the mechanisms required to ensure accountability, transparency, and responsibility.
Additional Course Requirements
A 9-credit (3 courses) concentrations is required to complete the MPA degree.
*Indicates that other courses not listed below for the specialization may be accepted upon approval by the Director of Graduate Studies.
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 the Director of Graduate Studies. Students who waive the internship must take an additional elective to obtain the 36 required credits.
HBS 591 Internship
0-9 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
3 Credit Hours 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 grad 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. Students files are evaluated each semester to determine eligibility for continued enrollment.