Master of Public Administration (MPA)

The Master of Public Administration (MPA) program is designed to prepare students for careers in public service and to provide professional development for administrators of public agencies and non-profit organizations. As such, the purpose of the program is to help students develop theoretical and analytical insights into problems of governance in a democratic society, into the interplay between politics and public service, and into the relationship between elected officials and bureaucracy in the formulation, implementation and evaluation of public policies. Specifically, the goals of our program, in conjunction with the University’s state-wide mission in public affairs, are to:

1. prepare students for careers in public service;
2. give students an understanding of the role that public service plays in democratic society; and
3. prepare students for further study in public administration.

All students with demonstrated academic competence who are interested in public administration will be welcomed into the program although students must meet the requirements of the Graduate College and the Department to earn the MPA. The program is designed to give students the opportunity to pursue three specializations: 1) health care administration, 2) public management, or 3) public policy. Students are also encouraged to work with their advisors to tailor their choices of specialization and pattern of courses taken in order to meet personal interests and career goals. The MPA is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration.