Master of Public Administration
Admission Requirements
The applicant to the Master of Public Administration program must have a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited university. The bachelor’s degree need not be in public or business administration; however, applicants may be assigned academic prerequisites to complete based on deficiencies in their undergraduate studies preparation.
The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) may be required for admission evaluation purposes. General admission requirements and the process for applying are discussed in Section 1 of the University College catalog. Individuals who do not meet the stated requirements for regular admission may petition to take graduate courses for credit as a continuing education applicant.
The goal of the Master of Public Administration is to prepare individuals for advanced leadership positions in the private, public and military sectors with specific skills and competencies in public administration.
Degree Requirements
The MPA is conferred on students who have successfully completed 36 credit hours of graduate work plus other course requirements as listed on the student’s approved graduate program plan. Students without adequate undergraduate background will be required to complete all or part of the program prerequisites. Students who do not select an area of concentration may choose elective courses with the approval of both the faculty adviser and the academic unit head.
Program Prerequisites (noncredit for this program)
| MTH 1701 | College Algebra |
| MGT 5000 | Financial Accounting (or two undergraduate accounting courses) |
Note: In addition, computer literacy is required as a prerequisite. It can be demonstrated by the applicant’s undergraduate course work, passing a proficiency examination offered by University College or by completing a suitable computer course.
| Required Courses (9 courses) | CREDITS | |
| MGT 5001 | Managerial Accounting | 3 |
| MGT 5003 | Public Finance | 3 |
| MGT 5006 | Introductory Managerial Statistics | 3 |
| MGT 5010 | Seminar in Research Methodology | 3 |
| MGT 5013 | Organizational Behavior | 3 |
| MGT 5014 | Information Systems | 3 |
| MGT 5035 | Public Administration and Management | 3 |
| MGT 5040 | Public Program Policy and Evaluation* | 3 |
| MGT 5132 | Basic Economics | 3 |
| Electives (3 courses) | 9 | |
| TOTAL CREDITS REQUIRED | 36 | |
*Serves as the capstone course for this program.
Students who do not select an area of concentration may choose electives from other graduate-level offerings in business, or other related disciplines, with the approval from both the faculty adviser and the cognizant academic unit head.