Public Administration – 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 credit 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 301 or higher preferred (total for both verbal and quantitative sections) and writing score of 2 or higher. Lower scores (minimum of 283) 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 hours).
- Complete an approved thesis or research query (six hours).
- 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.
Program Requirements
Core
| PA 605 | Epistemology and Research Methodology | 3 |
| PA 610 | Public and Administrative Law | 3 |
| PA 620 | Bureaucracy and Public Management | 3 |
| PA 625 | Public Budgeting and Finance | 3 |
| PA 635 | Organizational Theory | 3 |
| PA 640 | Theoretical Foundations of Public Administration | 3 |
| PA 641 | Ethics in Public Administration | 3 |
| PA 660 | Intergovernmental Relations | 3 |
| PA 690 | Public Administration Internship | 1 |
Completion of one of the following three concentrations (nine hours):
Nonprofit Management and Community Development Concentration
Choose two of the following:
| CIS 650 | Innovation, Technology and Organizational Change | 3 |
| PA 656 | Nonprofit Organizations | 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 Issues | 3 |
| RAPP 637 | Environmental Policy and Management | 3 |
| RAPP 670 | Directed Research | 3 |
| RAPP 685 | Advanced Environmental Education | 3 |
| SOC 620 | Sociology of Education | 3 |
| SOC 635 | Organizations in Contemporary Society | 3 |
| MNGT 612 | Organizational Theory | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 9 |
Federalism and Public Affairs Concentration
| 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 Issues | 3 |
| RAPP 670 | Directed Research | 3 |
| SOC 615 | Sociological Research | 3 |
| SOC 620 | Sociology of Education | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 9 |
Homeland Security and Political Theory Concentration
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 and American Thought | 3 |
| PA 681 | American Diplomatic History | 3 |
| PS 600 | Political Science Seminar | 3 |
| RAPP 670 | Directed Research | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 9 |
Thesis/Capstone
Completion of one of two research options (six 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 three hours of additional coursework approved by student's advisory committee).
Dismissal from MPA
All students pursuing the MPA must maintain a minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA. Students falling below a minimum 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. This will be monitored by the MPA director.
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.
Total Credit Hours: 40