Nov 25, 2024  
Graduate Catalog 2024-2025 
    
Graduate Catalog 2024-2025

Master of Public Administration, MPA


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The Master of Public Administration degree requires the student to successfully complete a minimum of 36 credit hours. MPA students are classified as in-service or pre-service based on experience in the public or nonprofit sector. Pre-service students are usually recent graduates who lack sufficient managerial or administrative experience. In-service students are currently employed and usually have several years of relevant work experience in the public or non-profit sectors in a job requiring a minimum of a bachelor’s degree for entry.

The program is flexible enough to accommodate full-time (9-12 hours per semester) or part-time students (3-6 hours per semester). Accordingly, the length of time required to complete the program will vary. All students must successfully complete the core curriculum of 24 semester hours, 9-12 hours of electives, and 3-6 hours of internship, depending upon classification as in-service or pre-service.

Program of Study


Prerequisites (6 Hours)


An undergraduate Computer Applications course is highly recommended.

  • Undergraduate course in statistics Credits: 3
  • Undergraduate or graduate course in American National Government Credits: 3

General Electives or Focus Area (12 Hours)


Students who choose to enroll in PADM 6853 (Public Service Internship - Pre-Service) should take an additional 9 hours. If PADM 6853 is not taken, students should take 12 hours of general electives. Students have an option to concentrate on a specific area of interest with the approval of their faculty advisor. Choose from the following: Urban Management Focus Area or complete one of the following certificates: Human Resource Management Certificate  or Museum Administration Certificate  or Nonprofit Organizations and Leadership Certificate 

Focus Area (12-18 Hours)


Students have an option to concentrate on a specific area of interest with the approval of their faculty advisor. Choose from the following: Urban Management Focus Area or complete one of the following certificates: Human Resource Management Certificate  or Museum Administration Certificate  or Nonprofit Organizations and Leadership Certificate 

Total: 36 Hours


A student must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 in all courses required for the degree.

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