Master of Public Affairs
Managing Ideas and Organizations in a
Changing World
The Master of Public Affairs (MPA) program is an integrated
course of study that provides knowledge and experience that can be
used by managers and professionals in public and quasi-public
organizations. The program is multi-disciplinary and includes
elements of law, economics, political science, quantitative analysis
and sociology in addition to a core management component.
The purpose of this course of study is to broaden comprehension
of the economic, political and social contexts in which public
servants work and to provide knowledge about administration in a
changing public sector. Graduates are thereby equipped with the
necessary skills and knowledge for management in local, state,
federal and international government or quasi-public service such as
health systems organizations and social service agencies.
Graduate students can choose a concentration either in Health
Systems Administration and Policy, or Public and Community Services
Administration and Policy.
After more than 25 years, the School of Public and Environmental
Affairs (SPEA) MPA offers more than an academic program. Here
students are encouraged to become involved in community activities,
participate in research, internships or international exchange
opportunities, and develop leadership skills that will benefit the
organizations for which they work and the community in which they
live.
Requirements (as of Fall
2007)
| REQUIRED CORE COURSES (24 cr. hrs.) |
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V502 |
Public Management |
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V506 |
Statistical Analysis for Effective
Decision-Making (must be taken before V680) |
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V517 |
Public Management Economics
OR |
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H514 |
Health Care Economics |
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H516 |
Health Care Law
OR |
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V540 |
Law and Public Affairs |
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V560 |
Public Finance and Budgeting |
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V561 |
Public Human Resource Management OR |
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V522 |
Human Resource Management in Nonprofit
Organizations |
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V680 |
Research Design and Methods in Public
Affairs |
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V600 |
Capstone in Public Affairs (other core
courses must be completed and the student |
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must have completed a minimum of 30 credits) |
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| CONCENTRATIONS |
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| GOVERNMENTAL ADMINISTRATION
AND POLICY (12 credits required) |
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V512 |
The Public Policy Process |
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V523 |
Civil Society and Public Policy |
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V563 |
The Planning Process OR |
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V575 |
Comparative Public Management and
Administration |
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V595 |
Managerial Decision-Making |
| An additional 12 elective
credit hours |
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| HEALTH SYSTEMS ADMINISTRATION
AND POLICY (12 credits required) |
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H501 |
Health Care: System, Policies and Ethical
Challenges |
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H507 |
Management of Individual and Group Behavior |
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H509 |
Health Care Finance |
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H503 |
Health Systems Organization and Management
OR |
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H604 |
Ambulatory Care and Managed Care Programs |
| An additional 12 elective
credit hours |
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| NON-PROFIT ADMINISTRATION AND
POLICY (12 credit hours) |
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V523 |
Civil Society and Public Policy |
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V525 |
Management in the Non-Profit Sector |
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V526 |
Financial Management for Non-Profit
Organizations |
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V558 |
Fund Development for Non-Profits |
| An additional 12 elective
credit hours |
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Special Program Features
The Master of Public Affairs offers several special features that
may be of interest to potential students.
- Classes that meet 5:30-8:00 one evening per week
- The opportunity to take up to three courses before being
officially admitted, contingent on a minimum 2.5 undergraduate
GPA
- Options to study abroad
- Some credit given for relevant work experience
- Internship options for those without experience
Admissions Procedures
Students may be admitted to this degree program from all
educational backgrounds, including the social sciences, arts,
humanities and education. Admission requirements include submission
of the student's official undergraduate transcripts from all
accredited colleges or universities, three reference letters and
Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores. Qualified students may be
eligible for a limited amount of financial aid.
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