Public Administration, MPA

Admission

Applicants with an undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 or higher are admitted based upon previous academic performance and evaluation of a one- to two-page essay on an assigned topic. Applicants with an undergraduate grade point average below 3.0 will be considered on the basis of the above plus additional supporting materials. These applicants should submit a history of their work and community experience and two letters of reference. They may also submit aptitude test scores such as the GRE or the GMAT. Information regarding admission may be obtained from the office of graduate admission or the department office. In certain instances, applicants may be admitted on a probationary basis with special restrictions.

Requirements

To earn the MPA degree, students must complete 36 or 39 semester hours of course work depending on students' previous administrative experience. The field internship is required of all students without management experience and all students who are changing career fields; experienced administrators may have this requirement waived. Course work must be completed with a GPA of 3.0 or higher. Students electing the thesis option must have a GPA of 3.7. Students who do not maintain a 3.0 GPA, students who receive more than two grades of C, and students who have one course grade of D or F are subject to dismissal from the program.

Students may elect to concentrate in health services management, government management, or nonprofit management. Knowledge of applied economics is a required part of the program. All students are advised to take a course in economics related to their field of concentration after consultation with an advisor. Concentration courses must be selected in consultation with their graduate advisor.

A student who has not completed an internship, thesis, or other final project must maintain continued registration during fall and spring semesters until completion of the project by College of Arts and Sciencesregistering for the appropriate zero-credit course (course number followed by “Y”). Students who have not maintained continuous registration for internship, or other final project will be required to register for all intervening fall and spring semesters prior to graduation.

Concentrations

All students are required to declare a concentration upon entering the program. A concentration comprises a minimum of three courses in the subject area approved by the graduate advisor. Certain courses offered outside of the program may be applied toward fulfillment of a concentration with approval of the graduate advisor. A student’s declared concentration should directly relate to the student's immediate and long-range career plans. Students should consult with the program's graduate advisor before declaring their concentrations.

Health Services Management
In this concentration students take courses in management issues of health funding access, differentiated needs of various user populations, role of interest groups, administration of health services to senior citizens, policy implementation, and ethical implications of healthcare policy.

Government Management
This concentration is for students who are seeking to begin or further their careers as government administrators. Students in this concentration may emphasize government management, local government policy and politics, or criminal justice.

Nonprofit Management
This concentration is designed for practicing and aspiring administrators of nonprofit organizations. Students in this concentration take courses that focus the history, legal structure, strategic planning and program management in the nonprofit sector.