Master of Public Administration
Overview
The Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree program is designed to prepare individuals for leadership opportunities in the field of public governance and, increasingly, in non-governmental organizations and the nonprofit sector. The MPA student will apply professional knowledge, practical skills, and a Christian worldview to graduate level topics including organizational leadership, public policy development and evaluation, political strategy for problem solving, finance for decision making, stakeholder engagement with diverse populations, and values-based ethics. Students are equipped to pursue administrative careers in public service including various levels of government, law enforcement, non-profit organizations, and public works.
Program Learning Outcomes (PLO) for the Master of Public Administration Degree
Graduates of the Master of Public Administration degree program will be able to:
- PLO 1: Apply knowledge of public administration theory, research, and practice.
- PLO 2: Critically analyze data and apply critical thinking skills to inform public and community problem-solving and decision-making processes.
- PLO 3: Demonstrate effective oral and written communication skills in intra-organizational, inter-organizational, and public contexts.
- PLO 4: Demonstrate the cultural agility required to engage effectively the diversity of perspectives and interests involved in governance.
- PLO 5: Apply a Christian worldview to ethical decision-making processes and outcomes.
Requirements for the MPA
This program features 12 courses which total 36 credits. Each course meets for eight weeks. The graduate student typically takes one course at a time completing two courses each semester. In order to earn the MPA degree, graduate students must complete the following required courses while achieving a minimum cumulative grade-point average (GPA) of 3.0:
| Requirement | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ORGS 510 | Leadership and Management in Public Administration | 3 |
| ORGS 540 | Conflict Resolution and Labor Negotiations | 3 |
| ORGS 610 | Organizational Behavior and Development | 3 |
| PUBA 500 | History and Theory of Public Administration | 3 |
| PUBA 520 | Public Finance and Budgeting | 3 |
| PUBA 530 | Public Personnel Management | 3 |
| PUBA 550 | Public Policy Analysis | 3 |
| PUBA 560 | Legal and Ethical Issues | 3 |
| PUBA 570 | Political Economy | 3 |
| PUBA 590 | Professional Communication in Public Administration | 3 |
| PUBA 600 | Public Administration Program Evaluation | 3 |
| PUBA 690 | MPA Capstone | 3 |
| Total Credits | 36 | |