Academic Progress Requirements
To maintain satisfactory progress toward the degree, a student in the MPA program is expected to complete a minimum of 6 semester credits each calendar year, starting with the first term of enrollment. The 6 semester credits may consist of either undergraduate prerequisite courses or graduate program courses.
Graduation Requirements
- Satisfy the General University Requirements for Graduate Degrees.
- Complete the program requirements below.
Program Requirements
| Core Courses | ||
|---|---|---|
| COURSE NUMBER | COURSE TITLE | CREDITS |
| ECON A625 | Economics and Public Policy | 3 |
| PADM A601 | Introduction to Public Administration | 3 |
| PADM A602 | Seminar in Public Management and Leadership | 3 |
| PADM A604 | Research Methods in Public Administration | 3 |
| PADM A606 | Public Policy-making Process | 3 |
|
PADM A608 or BA A634 |
Organizational Theory, Design and Development Organizational Design and Development |
3 |
| Electives | 6 | |
| 6 credits of advisor-approved graduate electives, relevant for the chosen emphasis area (see below) | ||
| Capstone Project | CREDITS | |
| PADM A659 | Public Administration Capstone | 3 |
| Total Credits | 27 | |
Candidates for the MPA who do not have public administration work experience must also complete 3 credits of PADM A620.
Students must take the core comprehensive examination after completing the core courses. This examination must be passed before the student may enroll in the capstone course.
Students must also complete one of the following emphasis areas: public management, public policy analysis, health administration, criminal justice, or dual emphasis: public management and public policy analysis.
| Public Management Emphasis | ||
|---|---|---|
| COURSE NUMBER | COURSE TITLE | CREDITS |
| PADM A603 | Management Analysis | 3 |
| PADM A610 | Organizational Theory and Behavior | 3 |
| PADM A624 | Human Resources Administration and Labor Relations | 3 |
| Total Credits | 9 | |
| Public Policy Analysis Emphasis | ||
|---|---|---|
| COURSE NUMBER | COURSE TITLE | CREDITS |
| PADM A628 | Public Financial Management | 3 |
| PADM A632 | Public Policy Analysis | 3 |
| PADM A688 | Program Evaluation and Performance Measurement | 3 |
| Total Credits | 9 | |
| Health Administration Emphasis | ||
|---|---|---|
| COURSE NUMBER | COURSE TITLE | CREDITS |
| HS A605 | Public Health and Society | 3 |
| HS A615 | Health Services Administration | 3 |
| HS/NS A626 | Principles of Epidemiology | 3 |
| Total Credits | 9 | |
| Criminal Justice Emphasis | ||
|---|---|---|
| COURSE NUMBER | COURSE TITLE | CREDITS |
| 9 credits of advisor-approved criminal justice electives 1 | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 9 | |
1 No more than 6 credits at the 400 level. See advisor for approved justice emphasis courses.
| Dual Emphasis: Public Management and Public Policy Analysis | ||
|---|---|---|
| COURSE NUMBER | COURSE TITLE | CREDITS |
| PADM A603 | Management Analysis | 3 |
| PADM A610 | Organizational Theory and Behavior | 3 |
| PADM A624 | Human Resources Administration and Labor Relations | 3 |
| PADM A632 | Public Policy Analysis | 3 |
| PADM A688 | Program Evaluation and Performance Measurement | 3 |
| Three 600-level electives | 9 | |
| Total Credits | 24 | |
A total of 36-39 credits is required for the degree; dual emphasis areas may be taken for additional credits, e.g. public management and public policy analysis.