The full-time MPA program is a fifty-seven credit, two-year program. Students gain a broad, conceptual understanding of the public sector while developing specialized skills that enable them to contribute in their chosen field.
Students tailor their program of study to their interests and goals by selecting a public-sector emphasis and specializing in a chosen skill set. During their *first semester, students focus their studies on core classes. Students begin taking classes from their chosen sector and skill set in their second semester.
*Students are not allowed to work during their first semester due to the rigorous academic schedule
Core Classes (40 Credits)
Core classes taken each semester are designed to strengthen skills in areas such as communications, teamwork, decision analysis, statistics, and financial management.
Fall Semester 1
- Project Management
- Statistical Analysis
- Quantitative Decision Analysis
- Organizational Behavior
- Career Exploration
- Career Preparation
- Communication in Public Administration
- Administrative Environment
Winter Semester 1
- Economic Decision Making
- Financial Management
- Public Program Evaluation
- Negotiations
Fall Semester 2
- Human Resource Management
- Ethics for Management
Winter Semester 2
- Legal Issues in Public Administration
- Public Administration Capstone
Sector Emphasis (6 Credits)
Sector classes help students prepare to apply their skills in their chosen field. Emphasis options include nonprofit, local government, and state and federal government.
Nonprofit
- NP Structure and Tax
- NP Finance
- NP Organizational Management 1
- NP Organizational Management 2
Local Government
- Local Government 1
- Local Government 2
State and Federal Government
- Public Policy Process
- Intergovernmental Relations
Skill Set (9 Credits)
Students tailor their studies by developing a set of skills in one of the following areas:
Resource Development
- Fundraising Tools
- Relationship Management
- Volunteer Management
- NP Resource Development and Leadership
Program Management
- Cost Benefit Analysis
- Data Visualization
- Program Design and Management
AND one of these three classes:
- Analytics & Forecasting
- Spreadsheets for Business Analysis
- Spreadsheets & Automation
Finance (select classes from among those listed)
- Government and NP Accounting
- Public and NP Budgeting
- Government Finance
- Debt Management
- Data Visualization
- Analytics & Forecasting
- Time Series
- Quantitative Decision Analysis 2
Additional Program of Study Options
JD/MPA Joint Degree
Healthcare
PhD Preparation
IS Minor