Master of Public Affairs (M.P.A.)

About the Master of Public Affairs

The Master of Public Affairs (M.P.A.) degree requires the completion of 39-48 credit hours. The course of study is divided into three distinct parts: prerequisites (9 credit hours), the core curriculum (24 credit hours) and a selected concentration (12 credit hours). The remaining 3 credit hours are electives, usually chosen from among courses in other concentrations.

Degree Requirements

Courses are 3 credit hours, unless otherwise designated.

Prerequisites (9 cr.)

Students who have completed coursework in the last six years in the areas listed below at the undergraduate level are exempt from the prerequisites.

• Statistics
• Political science or public affairs
• Economics

Applicants who have not taken at least one course in each of the areas above should arrange to enroll in these courses before or at the time of application to the program.

Core Curriculum (24 cr.)

The M.P.A. core is designed to ensure that each student acquires both prerequisite analytical skills and an understanding of policy issues and governmental processes that compose the environment within which graduates will pursue their careers.

• POLS-Y 501 Fundamentals of Public Management
• POLS-Y 503 Statistics for Public Management
• POLS-Y 505 Personnel Management in Public Organizations
• POLS-Y 509 International Public Affairs
• POLS-Y 524 Research Design for Public Affairs (pending final approval)
• POLS-Y 615 Capstone in Public Affairs

Select one of the following:

• POLS-Y 507 Public Law
• POLS-Y 516 Legal Aspects of Health Care Delivery

Select one of the following:

• POLS-Y 511 Public Economics
• POLS-Y 514 Political Economy of Health Care

Selected Concentration (12 cr.)

Concentrations give students educational experiences in a substantive area of interest. The course of study in each concentration is determined in conjunction with an advisor.

Governmental Administration and Policy

The government administration and policy concentration consists of twelve (12) credit hours within the MPA curriculum. Students are required to take the follow course:

• POLS-Y 513 Public Policy

Additionally, students must complete nine (9) credit hours from the following list of courses:

• POLS-Y 517 Civic Groups and Public Policy
• POLS-Y 521 Comparative Public Management and Affairs
• POLS-Y 522 Public Budgeting and Finance
• POLS-Y 582 Financial Management for Public Affairs (pending final approval)
• POLS-Y 625 Topics in Public Affairs

Nonprofit Administration and Policy

The non-profit administration and policy concentration consists of twelve (12) credit hours within the MPA curriculum. Students are required to take the follow course:

• POLS-Y 515 Nonprofit Management

Additionally, students must complete nine (9) credit hours from the following list of courses:

• POLS-Y 517 Civic Groups and Public Policy
• POLS-Y 519 Resource Development for Nonprofit Organizations
• POLS-Y 582 Financial Management for Public Affairs (pending final approval)
• POLS-Y 635 Topics in Nonprofit Management

Health Systems Administration and Policy

The health systems management and policy concentration consists of twelve (12) credit hours within the MPA curriculum. Students are required to take the follow course:

• POLS-Y 502 Health Care Delivery Policy Issues

Additionally, students must complete nine (9) credit hours from the following list of courses:

• BUSB-B 502 Organizational Behavior I
• POLS-Y 504 Politics of Managing Health Services Organizations
• POLS-Y 582 Financial Management for Public Affairs (pending final approval)

Generalist Option 

12 credit hours of public affairs courses with approval of student's advisor.

Electives (3 cr.)

Additional courses (from other concentrations to complete the 39-48 credit hour requirement)

Internship/Practicum Program

Up to 3 credit hours of practicum/internship credit may be awarded to a student engaged in an off-campus internship or professional work experience. Students generally arrange their own internships/practica and work with an advisor to determine the academic requirements for obtaining credit. Internships/practica must be approved by a faculty advisor.