Master of Public Administration - Curriculum

The Curriculum

From 39-45 semester hours are required for the MPA degree, depending on the student's background. Students without a background in American Government are required to take a prerequisite course.

All students are required to take the following seven courses:

  • Perspectives on Public Administration - The study and practice of public administration in the United states in the 20th century, examining historical development and current approaches in the field.
  • Research Methods for Public Administration - An introduction to the use of social science research methods in public management and policy including research design, measurement, data collection, sampling and polling, use of statistical procedures in policy studies, and decision-making theory. (Prerequisite for Public Data Analysis)
  • Public Data Analysis - Problems of gathering and using data for public administrators and policy analysts, including problems of research design and data gathering, interpretation, and use in the analysis of public programs.
  • Personnel Administration - Theories and techniques of personnel management, interpersonal relations in organizations, personnel change and development, changing conditions in the public service, and ethics for public service.
  • The Public Policy Process - An examination of the public-policy process, including the role of public officials in the process and constraints on its outcomes.
  • Public Financial Management - Organization and techniques of governmental financial management, budgetary theories, and intergovernmental financial relations.
  • Administrative Leadership - An examination of the foundation of leadership in public organizations. Special consideration of the personal and organizational values underlying decision processes in the public service.

A comprehensive examination or capstone course in the final semester of the student's program provides an opportunity to integrate and synthesize the core course material. Students also select, with an advisor's help, one course from the level of government at which they expect to work, as well as five electives tailored to each student's particular interest.

Core Courses

POSC 821 Perspectives in Public Administration
POSC 822 Public Policy Process
POSC 827 Public Personnel Administration
POSC 829 Public Financial Management
POSC 862 Administrative Leadership

Elective Courses

POSC 867 State Government Administration
POSC 868 Local Government Administration
POSC 877 Public Policy Evaluation
POSC 878 Entrepreneurial Government
POSC 878 Nonprofit Management
POSC 878 Grant Writing for Public Administration
POSC 878 Performance Measurement for Public Administration
POSC 878 Administering Homeland Security
POSC 878 Public Administration and International Organizations