Master of Public Administration
Admission Requirements
Applicants are considered on an individual basis. In addition to the Graduate College minimum requirements, applicants must meet the following program requirements:
- Baccalaureate Field No restrictions.
- Grade Point Average At least 2.75/4.00 for the final 60 semester (90 quarter) hours of undergraduate study.
- Tests Required GRE or GMAT scores are required from applicants who are requesting program-administered financial assistance.
- Minimum English Competency Test Score
-
- TOEFL iBT 80, with subscores of Reading 19, Listening 17, Speaking 20, and Writing 21, OR,
- IELTS Academic 6.5, with 6.0 in each of the four subscores, OR,
- PTE-Academic 54, with subscores of Reading 51, Listening 47, Speaking 53, and Writing 56.
- Personal Statement Required. Applicants must submit a brief statement of their professional goals and academic interests.
- Additional Materials
- Required: Applicants must submit a resume.
- Optional: Applicants may submit a 5–10 page writing sample and up to three letters of recommendation. These letters should be from instructors familiar with the applicant’s academic training or supervisors familiar with the applicant’s professional experiences.
- Nondegree Applicants Nondegree applicants must submit an official transcript from their baccalaureate institution, resume, and a letter stating which courses they would like to take and why they feel nondegree admission would be beneficial.
Degree Requirements
In addition to the Graduate College minimum requirements, students must meet the following program requirements:
- Minimum Semester Hours Required 53.
- Coursework
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Foundational Core Courses (25 semester hours) a | ||
| Foundations of Public Service | ||
| Introduction to Data Management and Analysis | ||
| Economics for Management and Policy | ||
| Public Policy Development and Process | ||
| Strategic Management: Planning and Measurement | ||
| Capstone and Portfolio in Public Policy, Management, and Analytics | ||
| Managing Your Career | ||
| MPA Core (12 semester hours) | ||
| Principles of Financial Management and Budgeting | ||
| Public Management Practices | ||
| Intergovernmental Management | ||
| Elective Courses (4 semester hours) | ||
One elective course or equivalent that supports the student's educational, career, and professional objectives, selected with approval of the advisor. | ||
- a
Full-time students are required to take PA 401, PA 402, and PA 591 in their first semester and the first six courses over their first three semesters. PA 590 will be required in one of the last two semesters.
In addition to the core and elective courses, students must select one of four areas of concentration:
- Public Management
- Nonprofit Management
- Financial Management
- Local Governance and Management
Each concentration requires the equivalent of three courses (12 semester hours). Students have the option to create their own specialized (self-directed) concentration with faculty approval.
Public Management Concentration
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Concentration Courses | ||
| At least 12 semester hours must be taken in the area of the concentration. | ||
| Project Management | ||
| Civic Technology | ||
| Intermediate Data Management and Analysis | ||
| Civic Engagement | ||
| Advanced Topics in Financial Analysis and Management | ||
| Accounting for Public and Nonprofit Organizations | ||
| Capital Budgeting and Finance | ||
| State and Local Public Finance | ||
| Advanced Topics in Public Budgeting | ||
| Local Government Management | ||
| Nonprofit Management | ||
| Survey Data Collection Methods: Theory and Practice | ||
| Economic Development I: Analysis | ||
| Seminar in Urban Politics | ||
| Urban Public Policy | ||
Nonprofit Management Concentration
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Concentration Courses | ||
| At least 12 semester hours must be taken in the area of concentration. | ||
| Nonprofit Management (required) | ||
| Project Management | ||
| Civic Technology | ||
| Intermediate Data Management and Analysis | ||
| Civic Engagement | ||
| Advanced Topics in Financial Analysis and Management | ||
| Accounting for Public and Nonprofit Organizations | ||
| Survey Data Collection Methods: Theory and Practice | ||
Financial Management Concentration
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Concentration Courses | ||
| At least 12 semester hours must be taken in the area of concentration. | ||
| Advanced Topics in Financial Analysis and Management (required) | ||
| Project Management | ||
| Civic Technology | ||
| Intermediate Data Management and Analysis | ||
| Civic Engagement | ||
| Accounting for Public and Nonprofit Organizations | ||
| Capital Budgeting and Finance | ||
| State and Local Public Finance | ||
| Advanced Topics in Public Budgeting | ||
Local Governance and Management Concentration
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Concentration Courses | ||
| At least 12 semester hours must be taken in the area of concentration. | ||
| Local Government Management (required) | ||
| Project Management | ||
| Civic Technology | ||
| Intermediate Data Management and Analysis | ||
| Civic Engagement | ||
| Advanced Topics in Financial Analysis and Management | ||
| State and Local Public Finance | ||
| Survey Data Collection Methods: Theory and Practice | ||
| Economic Development I: Analysis | ||
| Seminar in Urban Politics | ||
| Urban Public Policy | ||
Other Requirements
- Students with a unique specialized interest can create an individualized concentration consisting of 12 semester hours of coursework. The coursework must be coordinated and focused on a specific area of interest. The concentration courses must be approved by the director of graduate studies and may be in the Department of Public Policy, Management, and Analytics, as well as other departments and schools within the university.
- Grade Point Average Students must maintain an overall GPA of 3.00/4.00 in the program in order to graduate and must receive a C or higher in all required courses.
- Comprehensive Examination: None
- Thesis, Project, or Coursework-Only Options: Coursework only. No other options available.
Interdepartmental Concentrations
Students earning a graduate degree in this department may complement their courses by enrolling in select concentrations after consulting with their graduate advisor. Interdepartmental concentrations available for this degree include: