Master of Public Administration (MPA)
36-41 credits
This degree provides graduate professional education to students who wish to prepare for administrative or research careers in public management at the federal, state, or local government level, with nonprofit organizations, or private sector corporations extensively involved with government. A full-time student can complete the MPA program (including internship) in two academic years. The requirements of the program ensure that each student will have a theoretical understanding and practical awareness of public policy and of the principles of management and administration in the public sector. The program blends the study of politics and administration with the techniques of modern management.
The flexibility of the program allows students to tailor an interdisciplinary curriculum to their needs, objectives, and goals. Program options include four disciplinary concentrations, which allow students to combine the study of public administration and policy with course work in substantive policy areas such as criminal justice, emergency management and homeland security, community and economic development, or information and communication technology.
Alternatively, students may choose to build a customized course of study through elective courses. Each student’s background will be evaluated individually, and recommendations on program content will be made according to the student’s educational and job experiences and career plans. Selection of such courses must be made in consultation with the major advisor. Students may complete part of their MPA elective courses in such departments as accounting, criminal justice and criminology, economics, journalism, educational leadership, marketing, management, natural resources and environmental management, physiology and health science, and sociology.
Many opportunities exist for student participation in workshops and experiential learning settings where students and public or nonprofit administrators can interact. Students without appropriate professional experience will be required to complete a full-time internship for credit.
Before graduation, all students must pass a departmental comprehensive exam in public administration, public policy, and in their concentration area, if any.
Degree requirements
MPA with customized course of study, 36-39 credits
Core area of study
Research requirements
Electives in public administration and related areas as approved by the department
Total Credits: 36-39
MPA with criminal justice and criminology (CJC) concentration, 36-39 credits
Core area of study
Research requirements
Electives in public administration or related area as approved by the department
CJC concentration
| CJC 650 | Criminal Justice Admin | 3 |
| CJC 651 | Interpersonal Relations in CJC | 3 |
| CJC 652 | Philosophical Aspects of CJC | 3 |
| CJC 690 | Independent Study in CJC | 1 TO 3 |
Total Credits: 36-39
MPA with community and economic development concentration, 37-40 credits
Core area of study
Research requirements
CED concentration
6 credits from
Total Credits: 37-40
MPA with emergency management and homeland security concentration, 36-39 credits
Core area of study
Research requirements
EMHS concentration
6 credits from
Total Credits: 36-39
MPA with information and communication technology concentration, 38-41 credits
Core area of study
Research requirements
Elective in public administration or related area as approved by the department
ICS concentration
| ICS 620 | Info and Comm Technologies | 4 |
| ICS 621 | Info Movemnt, Mgmt, Storage | 4 |
6 credits from
| CS 639 | Seminar in Computer Science | 3 TO 6 |
| ICS 623 | Systems Engineering in ICT | 3 |
| ICS 624 | Knowledge Management | 3 |
| ICS 645 | Evolving Database Systems | 3 |
| ICS 691 | Internetworking, TCP and IP | 3 |
| ISOM 601 | Intro Comp and Net Sec | 3 |
| MBA 623 | Electronic Commerce | 3 |
| or | |
| other courses as approved by the ICT certificate advisor | |
| Total Credits: | 6 |
Total Credits: 38-41