Fort Wayne Campus Graduate Degree ProgramsMaster of Public Affairs (M.P.A.) Master of Public Affairs (M.P.A.)General Information General InformationThe Master of Public Affairs program is an interdisciplinary, professional program that prepares students for positions in local, state, or federal government, quasi-governmental service, or the nonprofit (including philanthropic) arena. It broadens students' comprehension of the economic, environmental, political, and social context in which the public servant works. The course of study requires completion of (1) the M.P.A. core, (2) the concentration requirement, (3) the experiential requirement, and (4) sufficient electives and/or mid-career option credit to total 48 credit hours. The curriculum of this program as contained in the core requirements encompasses preparation in a broad range of skills relevant to the operation of public agencies. It is based on the academic disciplines but not limited to any one. It is also problem-oriented, bringing the disciplines to bear on critical social, environmental, economic, and administrative issues. Although the environment of public service is diverse and changing, effectiveness in that environment requires the development of special skills attained through detailed study in a chosen field of concentration. The fields of concentration span the variety of professional specialties found in public service. Thus, the program provides expertise in the core requirements and a specific concentration area, as well as a general working knowledge of public affairs. The M.P.A. program is fully accredited by the National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration (NASPAA). Return to Master of Public Affairs (M.P.A.) Degree Requirements(48 credit hours) The core requirements of the M.P.A. degree consist of 18 credit hours of work in six courses. Each student must also complete the requirements of (at least) one concentration. The experiential requirement ensures that each graduate of the M.P.A. program has gained insight into the world of public service by way of an experience outside the classroom. This experience may or may not involve the accumulation of credit hours toward the degree. The remaining credit hours necessary for graduation, if any, are general electives that can be used to add breadth to a student's program; to further explore a field of concentration; or to enhance skills in foreign languages, quantitative tools, or administrative techniques. Return to Master of Public Affairs (M.P.A.) Core Requirements(18 credit hours) The M.P.A. core is designed to ensure that each student acquires both the prerequisite analytical skills and an understanding of policy issues and governmental processes that compose the environment within which graduates will pursue their careers. Required Courses Extremely well-prepared applicants may petition the program director to waive one or more of the core requirements on the basis of advanced course work done elsewhere. Students may be exempted on the basis of satisfactory equivalent course work or by examination. Credit hours waived from the core add to the electives a student may use. Students requesting course waivers should contact the appropriate graduate program director for requirements and guidelines. Return to Master of Public Affairs (M.P.A.) Concentration Requirements(12-30 credit hours) Concentrations give students educational experiences in a substantive area of interest. The course of study in each concentration area is determined in conjunction with an advisor. Up to 3 credit hours of the concentration may be taken in V585 Practicum in Public Affairs, if approved in advance by an advisor. Concentration requirements may be waived on the same basis as core requirements. Consult with an advisor about course prerequisites. Return to Master of Public Affairs (M.P.A.) Experiential RequirementsEach M.P.A. student must obtain professionally relevant experience through one of the following options: an approved internship (0-6 credit hours); SPEA V590 Research in Public Affairs; SPEA V601 Workshop in Public Affairs; the Environmental Fellowship Program; or the Mid-Career Credit Option. Return to Master of Public Affairs (M.P.A.) Mid-Career Credit OptionThe Graduate Admissions Committee of the School of Public and Environmental Affairs may grant up to 12 credit hours toward the M.P.A degree for students who have had significant policy-level work experience in their backgrounds. Credit will be granted for work experience gained until the end of the semester in which the student completes 24 credit hours according to the following guidelines:
Determination of mid-career credit is made separately from decisions about transfer of credit. Under no circumstances will the mid-career credit and transfer credit total more than 21 hours of the 48 required for the M.P.A. degree. Students receiving mid-career credit should carefully plan the balance of their program with an advisor. Return to Master of Public Affairs (M.P.A.) General Elective CoursesGraduate courses, or undergraduate courses approved for graduate credit, may be used to complete the overall degree requirement of 48 credit hours. Return to Master of Public Affairs (M.P.A.) Fields of ConcentrationConcentrations accommodate the needs of both the preservice graduate student and the practitioner seeking additional education for career enhancement and advancement. Students select a concentration after consultation with a faculty advisor. Concentrations on the Fort Wayne campus are: Criminal Justice Concentration Return to Master of Public Affairs (M.P.A.) Criminal Justice Concentration(18 credit hours) The criminal justice concentration is for those interested in the issues, methods, and skills involved in the management of criminal justice or related agencies. Required Courses (12 credit hours) One of the following: One of the following: Electives (6 credit hours) Group A Group B Nonprofit Management Other courses approved by a faculty advisor. Three courses must be criminal justice courses. Return to Fields of Concentration Health Systems Administration Concentration(18 credit hours) The health services administration concentration examines policies and programs in the health field. Emphasis is placed on organizational and economic analysis. Required Courses (12 credit hours) Two of the following courses: Return to Fields of Concentration Public Management Concentration(18 credit hours) The public management concentration develops the quantitative and qualitative skills necessary for public and not-for-profit management. Emphasis is placed on organizational, political, and economic analysis. Required Courses (6 credit hours) One of the following courses: One of the following courses: One of the following courses: Electives (3 credit hours) Return to Fields of Concentration Public Policy Analysis Concentration(18 credit hours) The public policy analysis concentration examines the methods and develops the skills involved in analyzing complex public policy issues. Required Courses (9 credit hours) Two of the following courses: One of the following courses: Electives (6 credit hours) Return to Fields of Concentration
Return to Master of Public Affairs (M.P.A.)
Certificate ProgramThe Certificate in Public Management is offered on the Fort Wayne campus. It is flexible and adaptable to the needs of either precareer or in-service students. Admission AdmissionAdmission Eligibility Application Students should apply to the SPEA admissions office on the IPFW campus. Application Fee Program Restrictions
Certificate in Public ManagementThe Certificate in Public Management program is a 15-credit-hour program of study in public management. The certificate program is flexible enough to be adapted to the needs of precareer and inservice individuals. Graduate students in other disciplines can use the program to supplement their primary fields with course work in public management, possibly using the certificate courses as part or all of a doctoral or master's degree minor. Career employees of public and private sector agencies seeking courses in public management, and especially those changing from professional or technical roles to managerial roles, find the certificate program beneficial. Certificate Requirements(15 credit hours) Required Courses (9 credit hours) Electives (6 credit hours) Note: Students interested in continuing on for the Master of Public Affairs degree should consider selecting the two elective courses from the M.P.A. core; one of the courses recommended is V506 Statistical Analysis for Effective Decision Making. These courses may also be applied to the Master of Planning upon admission to the M.Pl. program.
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Last updated: 03 December 2024 23 06 53
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