• Program Overview
• Curriculum
• Application Information
• Information for Students
• Student Experiences

MPA Curriculum

Developing the skills necessary to be a leader in the public service rests upon four basic elements: knowledge, skills, values, and behavior. To develop leaders in public policy and management, the MPA program includes: (1) core courses, (2) concentration area, (3) supervised field internship, and (4) capstone project.

(1) Core Courses

Core courses enhance the student's ability to act ethically and effectively and are organized into three areas:

a. Management of Public Service Organizations

Courses are designed to enhance competency in the management of people, organizations, and information. Particular emphasis is on public management processes. Courses in this category are:
• PP 365 Human Resource Management, 3 credits
• PP 373 Budgeting in Public Service Organizations, 3 credits
• PP 397 Introduction to Information Technology Management, 1 credit

b. Quantitative and Qualitative Analysis Techniques

Students enroll in courses emphasizing applied research methods, quantitative and qualitative methods, and policy and program formulation, implementation and evaluation. Courses in this category are:

• PP 391 Policy Analysis, 3 credits
• PP 370 Applied Research Methods I for Public Administration, 3 credits
• PP 376 Applied Research Methods II for Public Administration, 3 credits

c. Public Policy and Organizational Environment

It is important for public practitioners to have an understanding of political, legal, economic, and social institutions and their processes as well as organizational management concepts. Courses in this category are:

• PP 362 Organizations and Management, 3 credits
• PP 361 Theory of Public Organizations, 3 credits
• PP 375 Analytic Tools for Public Problems, 3 credits

(2) Area of Concentration

Each student is expected to complete an area of concentration that supports their career goals. Students are required to take at least 12 credits in their chosen field of concentration. More than one concentration can be developed. Financial management, nonprofit management, policy and program evaluation, and city management and urban policy are particular areas of strength. Of course, students always have the opportunity to develop their own concentration area. Examples of other concentrations pursued by students in the past include local government management, program evaluation, policy analysis, survey research, educational leadership, international studies and social policy. Students are not limited to the Department of Public Policy for their concentration area courses. The MPA program encourages students to choose courses in other departments or schools as part of their concentration areas.

(3) Supervised Field Internship

Students can test classroom theory during their internship and develop contacts that might lead to securing a position after graduation. Internships are an integral part of the MPA program. A student who has not had significant career experience must complete six credits of internship.

Internships can be completed during the summer between the first and second year or during the second year.  The MPA program offers a number of unique Internship and Professional Practice (IPP) internships.  Student IPP interns work with the hosting organizations duringan entire academic year. The expected student time commitment is 15 hours per week.  This provides IPP interns with the time to take on significant responsibilities during their internships.  IPP’s carry benefits, a stipend, and a tuition waiver.

Some or the entire internship requirement may be waived if the student has exceptional professional experience. These waivers will be assessed on a case-by-case basis, but generally at least five to ten years of high level, relevant experience will be required for consideration of a waiver. Questions about applying for a waiver should be addressed to the Administrative Program Director.

( 4) Capstone project

The purpose of the capstone experience is to facilitate the development of student expertise in an area of study important to them. Ideally, the capstone project will be a piece of research closely related to the student's concentration area and internship. For example, a student interested in nonprofit management can do her/his concentration in nonprofit management, undertake an internship in a nonprofit organization, and write her/his capstone on some aspect of nonprofit management that she/he is excited about - such as fund development, volunteer management, etc. This provides an integrated experience that is focused toward developing a significant expertise. The requirements for the course include a significant research paper, a public presentation on the paper, and development of a research poster that visually displays the research. The capstone course carries 3 credits. A 3-credit capstone preparation course is required prior to enrolling in the capstone course.

Model Program

Below is a model course of study (courses may not always appear in this order). Of course, students have substantial flexibility in designing their course of study. Students can complete the requirements in two years of full time study.

Year 1

Year 2