Master of Public Administration
The Master of Public Administration (MPA) is a professional course of study for individuals pursuing careers in government, public service, education, and nonprofit organizations. Our MPA program actively engages students in a dynamic learning environment that combines coursework and research. It develops a comprehensive understanding of the concepts and principles of public administration while continuing our students' liberal education. As a result, graduates of the program will possess both the administrative skills and leadership abilities necessary to deal with the myriad of demands placed upon professional administrators. Our program provides a theoretically informed management degree that builds statesmen and public leaders committed to excellence and civic virtue. The MPA is an excellent professional degree for working professionals in government and nonprofit organizations as well as for preparation in advanced graduate study in the social sciences or preparation for careers in public law or admission for law school.
Admission Requirements
- General admission to graduate study.
- Completion of 18 semester hours of undergraduate work in political science, sociology, economics, geography, psychology, business, or related field with GPA of 3.0 or higher. Students with demonstrated excellence in any undergraduate area will also be considered.
- Acceptable proficiency in social science, analytical skills, and writing ability as determined by the MPA admissions committee from the following: undergraduate transcripts, writing sample, publication record, and interview (required at committee's request).
- GRE score of 1100 or higher preferred (total for both verbal and quantitative sections) and writing score of 2 or higher. Lower scores (minimum of 800) may be accepted with other evidence (e.g., high GPA or research and writing output) of potential for quality work.
- Preferred TOEFL score of 525 or higher for international students; a lower score may be accepted with evidence of English speaking and writing proficiency.
- A two-page typewritten statement of personal, educational, and career goals to be used as a writing sample or an interview with School of Public Affairs Associate Dean or MPA director.
- Two references.
Requirements for Degree
- Satisfy University degree requirements.
- Complete a minimum of 40 credit hours including a core of 25 hours and an option (nine hrs).
- Complete an approved thesis or research query (six hrs).
- Successfully complete a written or oral examination as determined by the student's advisory committee.
- Public presentation of thesis or research query.
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.
- Must be unconditionally admitted.
|
Sem. Hrs. |
Core |
25 |
PA 610 - Public and Administrative Law |
3 |
PA 620 - Bureaucracy and Public Management |
3 |
PA 625 - Public Budgeting and Finance |
3 |
PA 640 - Theoretical Foundations of Public Administration |
3 |
PA 641 - Ethics |
3 |
PA 660 - Intergovernmental Relations |
3 |
PA 690 - Public Administration Internship |
1 |
SOC 615 - Sociological Research or |
3 |
PA 605 - Epistemology & Research Methodology |
|
SOC 635 Organizations of Contemporary Society or MNGT 600 - Survey of Mngt. and Org. Behavior |
3 |
|
|
Completion of one of the following three options (nine hours):
Option in Nonprofit Management and Community Development
PA 655 - Community Development |
3 |
Choose two of the following: |
|
CIS 650 - Innovation, Tech, and Organizational Change |
3 |
RAPP 610 - Ideology and Policy Development in Appalachia |
3 |
RAPP 611 - Spatial Analysis |
3 |
RAPP 620 - Economic Development |
3 |
RAPP 630 - Graduate Seminar in Regional Analysis and Policy |
3 |
RAPP 637 - Environmental Policy and Mngt. |
3 |
RAPP 670 - Directed Research |
3 |
RAPP 685 - Environmental Education |
3 |
SOC 620 - Sociology of Education |
3 |
Option in Federalism and Public Affairs
PA 650 - Federalism Theory and Constitutional Law |
3 |
Choose two of the following: |
|
GOVT 600 - Seminar: State and Local Government |
3 |
PA 611 - Jurisprudence |
3 |
PA 630 - Politics of Public Policy |
3 |
PA 645 - Seminar in Founding Fathers and American Thought |
3 |
PS 600 - Political Science Seminar |
3 |
RAPP 610 - Ideology and Policy Development in Appalachia |
3 |
RAPP 630 - Graduate Seminar in Regional Analysis and Policy |
3 |
RAPP 670 - Directed Research |
3 |
SOC 620 - Sociology of Education |
3 |
Option in Homeland Security and Political Theory
PA 680 - Homeland Security Policy |
3 |
Choose Two of the Following: |
|
PA 630 - Politics of Public Policy |
3 |
PA 642 - Western Political Theory I |
3 |
PA 643 - Western Political Theory II |
3 |
PA 645 - Seminar in Founding Fathers & American Thought |
3 |
PA 681 - American Diplomatic History |
3 |
PS 600 - Political Science Seminar |
3 |
RAPP 670 - Directed Research |
3 |
Thesis/Capstone
Completion of one of two research options (6 credit hours):
- Completion and defense of an approved thesis; PA 699 – Thesis
or - Completion of a capstone course (PA 695 - Research Query) and an applied research project (RAPP 670 or 3 hours of additional coursework approved by student's advisory committee).
TOTAL HOURS REQUIRED |
40 |
Dismissal from MPA
All students pursuing the MPA must maintain a cumulative 3.0 GPA. Students falling below a 3.0 will be placed on a one semester period of probation. Students failing to achieve a GPA of 3.0 after one semester of probation will be dropped from the program. Any student who receives a grade of "C" or below in more than two courses taken for graduate credit will be immediately dropped from the program.
Student Competencies
- Students will be actively engaged in research and learning exercises that will develop comprehensive understanding of the concepts and principles of public administration.
- Students will become familiar with American government and public sector institutions and the processes that are responsible for the formation and execution of public policy.
- Students will engage in learning exercises and research projects that will develop an understanding of the links between public administration and organizational behavior, public sector management, intergovernmental relations, public finance, and governmental policy.
- Students will participate in courses, seminars, and learning exercises that will develop an understanding of the institutions and processes that are responsible for the formation and execution of public policy in sub-national governments.
Assessment Procedures
- Competencies in public administration theory, methods, analytical thinking and professional report writing are assessed in each course in the curriculum.
- Students are systematically assessed by their thesis or applied research committee and undergo a defense of their research.
- Program assessment also takes place through alumni surveys in conjunction with program reviews.