The Master of Public Affairs program requires a minimum of 48 graduate credit hours and completion of (1) the foundation requirement, (2) the core requirement, (3) the experiential requirement, and (4) the concentration requirement. The foundation requirement ensures that each student has the requisite background in the areas of computing, economics, government, and mathematics to facilitate the mastery of core course material. No graduate credit is given for work done to satisfy this requirement.

The core requirement consists of 21 credit hours of work in six to seven courses, six of which are required of all students pursuing an M.P.A. degree. 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 involving contact with prospective peers. This experience may or may not involve the accumulation of credit hours toward the degree. Each student must also complete the requirements of one concentration, which consists of 18-21 credit hours of work. 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 quantitative tools or administrative techniques.

Core Requirement

The M.P.A. core ensures 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.

The following seven courses are required:

• SPEA V500 Quantitative Tools for Public Affairs (3 cr.)
• SPEA V502 Public Management (3 cr.)
• SPEA V506 Statistical Analysis for Policy and Management (3 cr.)
• SPEA V517 Public Management Economics (3 cr.)
• SPEA V540 Law and Public Affairs (3 cr.)
• SPEA V560 Public Finance and Budgeting (3 cr.)
• SPEA V600 Capstone in Public and Environmental Affairs (3 cr.) (Must have 39 graduate credits and all core requirements before enrolling in this course) 

Total (21 cr.)

Unusually well-prepared applicants may petition the program director to waive one or more of the core requirements on the basis of advanced work done elsewhere. Students may be exempted based on satisfactory equivalent course work or by an examination. Credit hours waived from the core will add to the electives a student may use. Students requesting course waivers should contact the appropriate program director for requirements and guidelines.

Concentration Requirement

The concentrations following are designed to give the student an educational experience in a substantive area of the student's interest. The student chooses a concentration in consultation with the director of the M.P.A. program, and the course of study in the concentration area is determined in conjunction with a concentration advisor. All concentrations require at least 18-21 credit hours of course work. Up to 3 credit hours of the concentration may be taken in SPEA V585 Practicum in Public Affairs, if the concentration advisor approves the field experience in advance. Concentration requirements may be waived on the same basis as core requirements.

Criminal Justice Concentration

The criminal justice concentration is for those interested in the issues, methods, and skills involved in the management of criminal justice or related agencies.

Requirements

The following three courses:

• SPEA J501 Criminological Thought and Policy (3 cr.)
• SPEA V509 Administrative Ethics in the Public Sector (3 cr.)
• SPEA J502 Research Methods in Criminal Justice and Public Affairs (3 cr.)

• SPEA J682 Planning and Management for Criminal Justice and Public Safety (3 cr.)
• SPEA J666 Criminal Justice Policy and Evaluation (3 cr.)

• SPEA V504 Public Organizations (3 cr.)
• SPEA V512 Public Policy Process (3 cr.)
• SPEA V539 Management Science for Public Affairs (3 cr.)
• SPEA V561 Public Human Resource Management (3 cr.)
• SPEA V566 Executive Leadership (3 cr.)

Health Services Administration Concentration

The health services administration concentration is for public administration students who plan to assume a managerial position in the health services field. This concentration affords the student the opportunity to study policy, issues, and programs related to the health services field.
Requirements

The following four courses: 

• SPEA V504 Public Organizations (3 cr.)
• SPEA V543 Health Services Management (3 cr.)
• SPEA V545 The U.S. Health Care System (3 cr.)
• SPEA V546 Health Services Utilization (3 cr.)  

• SPEA H514 Health Economics (3 cr.)
• SPEA H515 Health Policy Process (3 cr.)
• SPEA V550 Topics in Public Affairs: Health Topic (3 cr.)
• SPEA V522 Human Resource Management (3 cr.)
• SPEA V561 Public Human Resources Management (3 cr.) 

Total (21 cr.)

Nonprofit Management  Concentration

The nonprofit management concentration prepares persons for leadership positions in not-for-profit organizations.  The core requirements for the M.P.A. degree provide a strong management and policy base.  The concentration offers students the opportunity to develop this base through non-for-profit applications.  Most courses in the concentration address the unique features and practices of not-for-profit organizations or the policies affecting them.  Supplementary courses available in the concentration offer management techniques helpful to nonprofit leaders.

Requirements (21 cr.)

The following seven courses:

• SPEA J502 Research Methods for Criminal Justice and Public Affairs (3 cr.)
• SPEA V509  Administrative Ethics   (3 cr.)
• SPEA V512  Public Policy  (3 cr.)
• SPEA V521  The Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector (3 cr.)
• SPEA V522  Human Resource Management in Nonprofit Organizations (3 cr.)
• SPEA V525  Management in Nonprofit Organizations (3 cr.)
• SPEA V526  Financial Management for Nonprofit Organizations (3 cr.)

Select two of the following (6 cr.)

• SPEA V504  Public Organizations (3 cr.)
• SPEA V539  Management Science for Public Affairs (3)
• SPEA V557  Proposal Development and Grant Administration (3 cr.)
• SPEA V558  Fund Development for Nonprofit Organizations (3 cr.)
• SPEA V562  Public Program Evaluation (3 cr.)
• SPEA V566  Executive Leadership (3 cr.)
• SPEA V602  Strategic Management for Public and Nonprofit Organizations (3 cr.)

Total (21 cr.) 

Public Management Concentration

The Public Management Concentration consists of a structured program that facilitates the development of a managerial perspective. The intent of the
curriculum is to ensure breadth of coverage across those areas essential to a managerial career.

Requirements

The following four courses:

• SPEA V504  Public Organizations (3 cr.)
• SPEA V539  Management Science for Public Affairs (3)
• SPEA V561 Public Human Resources Management (3 cr.)
• SPEA V566 Executive Leadership (3 cr.)

Select three of the following (9 cr.)

• SPEA V509 Administrative Ethics in the Public Sector (3 cr.)
• SPEA V512 Public Policy Process (3 cr.)
• SPEA V562 Public Program Evaluation (3 cr.) 
• SPEA V525 Management in the Nonprofit Sector (3 cr.)

Total (21 cr.)

Cumulative Grade Point Average has to be 3.0 or higher to graduate.