Master of Public Administration (MPA)

College of Business

Curriculum

Major Requirements (36 credit hours)

(Click a course name below to view course details)

Unless noted, all courses are 4 credit hour

Term 1

• MPA 600 Foundation in Public Administration

  This course examines the economic, political, cultural and social aspects of the public sector and the roles of the various actors with regard to public administration and the public policy process. Styles and theories relevant to the dynamic orientation of public organization also will be analyzed.

• MPA 605 Communications in the Public Sector

  Students will realize various aspects of communication within a public organization. Topics include written and oral presentation, internal communication, grant writing, public and media relations and technological issues associated with communicating in the public sector.

• MPA 615 Public Administration Term 1 Project

  Students will be asked to apply communication styles and techniques to research and explain various aspects of the funding for a public organization. In this course students learn how to conduct both on-line and library-based research. They will learn how to organize, develop and edit a letter of intent, and to complete a funding project during the program. (1 credit hr)

Term 2

• MPA 620 Organizational Modeling & Decision Theories

  Students explore various public administration models and decision-making theories that can be used to lead and manage public organizations and to affect public policy. Students will evaluate the potential effectiveness of the models and theories studied in relation to their own organizations and/or case studies of public organizations and public policies.

• MPA 625 Human Resources and Organizational Effectiveness

  Students examine a variety of human resource topics from a public administration perspective including how human resource issues might impact organizational effectiveness. Prerequisite: Acceptance into the Master of Public Administration Program

• MPA 635 Public Administration Term 2 Project

  Students develop and present a project based on one subject or a combination of subjects from the two courses in Term 2 of the MPA Program; MPA 620 Organizational Modeling and Decision Theories and MPA 625 Human Resources and Organizational Effectiveness. (1 credit hr)

Term 3

• MPA 640 Strategic Planning and Policy Development

  This course highlights the organizational planning and management within public and non-profit institutions that enable an organization to position and maintain itself as a viable entity. The process of aligning policy, funding sources and planning goals will be examined as well as an overview of the general planning process.

• MPA 645 Finance for the Public Administrator

  This course serves as an overview of the budgeting process as a political process within the public sector. Topics include budget methods and practices, capital budgeting, budget structure and project evaluation.

• MPA 655 Public Administration Term 3 Project

  Students will consider the role of the public administrator in the research, application, procurement, and disbursement of public and quasi-public funds. They will learn the methods and techniques upon a jurisdiction utilizing these sources of funds. Students will study the characteristics and advantages of various forms of bonds, loans, grants, and incentives available and the requirements of each. (1 credit hr)

Term 4

• MPA 660 Contemporary Issues in Public Administration

  Students explore a variety of contemporary issues in public administration through an analysis of related case studies. Topics may include issues such as homeland security, emergency management, disaster response, use of technology, and diversity management.

• MPA 665 Public Administration Leadership

  Students examine various leadership theories to analyze the styles, traits, and behaviors and associate them with effective leadership in public administration. Students use their knowledge of leadership theories to evaluate past and current public leaders as well as themselves as potential leaders.

• MPA 675 Public Administration Term 4 Project

  Students develop a project based on one subject or a combination of subjects from either course in this term or a combination of the two courses. The focus of the project is to allow students to investigate areas of personal and professional interest through a project of their own design as agreed upon with the instructor. Students will determine an appropriate depth and breadth to the project, as well as will determine an appropriate deadline for submitting the project prior to the end of the term. (1 credit hr)