Graduate Catalog

Master of Public Administration (MPA)

Program Overview

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The Master of Public Administration (MPA) has been designed for those seeking to effectively lead within the public and nonprofit sectors. The program equips learners with the knowledge, skills and abilities to lead a diverse range of operations and services in the increasing complexity world of public and nonprofit service leadership. Program participants will gain an in-depth understanding of the history of administration, policy analysis, administrative law and ethics, public budgeting and finance, human resource management and program evaluation, which provide a solid foundation for effective leadership within this dynamic and evolving field.

Credit Distribution

I. Core (18 Credits)

MPL-5800Public Service Leadership and Governance

3

MPL-5200Program Analysis and Evaluation

3

MPL-5820Law, Ethics, and Decision Making in the Public Sector

3

MNP-5050Organizational Management and Leadership in Public Service

3

MNP-5200Economic Issues for Public Service Managers

3

MPL-
Public Policy Analysis

3

II. Area of Study (9 Credits)

Students may choose to complete 9 Credits of Public Service Electives.

III. Capstone (3 Credits)

MPL-7100Public Service Capstone

3

Total Credit Hours: 30

Domains of competencies

Description of Skill

Examples of Competencies (student learning outcomes)

To lead and manage in public governance

Giving directions, setting and communicating expectations and values, learning how to understand group dynamics, work with a group, and developing teams are all important abilities in developing the ability to lead and manage in public governance.

  • Apply public management organization theories.
  • Appraise the organizational environment, both internal and external, as well as the culture, politics and institutional setting.
  • Demonstrate the ability to lead change in a complex environment.

To articulate and apply a public service perspective.

Understanding and applying professional standards and codes of ethics for public administration and the academic world. This includes a sensitivity and ability to promote democratic values, constitutional principles, human dignity, and diversity.

  • Public service.to Apply concepts of social equity
  • Stakeholders and a variety of power relations, and will weigh alternative courses of action in terms of responsibility, fairness and achieved public interest. resources, Identify and analyze ethical dilemmas involving fiduciary stewardship of public

To analyze, synthesize, think critically, solve problems, and make decisions.

The development and improvement of skills in writing, speaking, research, presentations, computers, program evaluation, and report writing.

  • Articulate and apply methods for measuring and improving organizational, program and individual performance.
  • Demonstrate ability to apply a variety of analytical frameworks to analyze complex problems and formulate recommendations.

To participate in and contribute to the public policy process.

Demonstrate a clear understanding about the public policy making process, in addition to having a firm grasp of the theories that inform our understanding about public policy making.

  • Apply techniques for program evaluation and forecasting.
  • Tools. Demonstrate the ability to structure a policy problem and analyze policy alternatives, using a variety of frameworks and

To communicate and interact productively with a diverse and changing workforce and citizenry.

Demonstrate the ability to communicate, interact, and understand the perspectives of individuals and groups that may differ from you in some fundamental way, such as race, class, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or national origin.

  • Communicate effectively in writing by preparing clear, concise and well-organized written materials tailored to the audience’s level of expertise and needs.
  • Demonstrate interpersonal communication skills required to serve empathetically and effectively diverse sets of people.