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

Program Description

The Master of Public Administration program is an online degree program designed to empower those seeking a career in public service as well as those already employed who desire to enhance their current career trajectory. The program prepares professionals for work in government at the local, state, or national level as well as nonprofit organizations. Those in the private sector may also find the curriculum valuable.

The MPA degree requires a total of 36 hours of coursework:

• 24 hours of core coursework taken by all students
• 12 hours of coursework in a concentration selected by the student in consultation with a graduate advisor
• Students who do not have full-time professional experience will be required to complete an additional 3-credit hour internship

Prior to graduation, all students must complete and pass comprehensive exams, which encompass key learning objectives from the core coursework. Students take their comprehensive exams during their last semester, and exams are administered during the fall, spring and summer semesters. Students must be enrolled in the University the semester or summer session in which the comprehensive exams are administered. 

Admissions

Students seeking admission to the graduate programs in Political Science must complete the following requirements and send all documents to the Office of Graduate Admissions:

1. Graduate Application
2. Application fee
3. Official transcripts of all college-level work, including the transcript that shows the date the undergraduate degree was conferred
4. A current resume
5. Two letters of recommendation that discuss the applicant’s suitability for graduate study
6. A writing sample of scholarly or professional work
7. Official GRE or GMAT scores (Note: Applicants who have full-time professional experience and a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher may ask for graduate director approval to use the required writing sample as a substitute for the GRE or GMAT)
8. A statement of interest summarizing the applicant's reasons for pursuing the MPA degree and the applicant's professional and life experiences that prepare him or her for the program. The statement should be roughly two pages in length and single spaced.

A holistic review of each student’s application file will be completed and admission will be granted on a competitive basis.

Degree Requirements

Internship

Students who lack professional experience will be required to take 3 hours of internship. 

Areas of Concentration

A concentration of 12 hours is required with this degree. The department offers concentrations in disaster and emergency management.  A student may, with the permission of the graduate director, pursue a concentration in other disciplines deemed more relevant to the student’s professional goals

Degree Plans