COURSE CURRICULUM

DePaul University’s Master of Public Service Management (MPS) program is an innovative graduate degree designed to provide flexibility for working professionals while delivering rigorous training in public service leadership. The program combines online coursework with in-person immersion experiences, allowing students to balance studies with personal and professional commitments. Each academic year includes two in-person immersion weeks at the Loop Campus—one at the start and one at the end—offering hands-on learning opportunities, professional networking, and engagement with a diverse group of leaders from federal, state, and local government, higher education, and nonprofit organizations. The curriculum emphasizes applied management skills, ethical leadership, and strategic problem-solving, preparing graduates to address complex challenges in public, nonprofit, and private sector settings. To accelerate degree completion, students may earn credit for prior college-level learning through the Prior Learning Assessment (PLA), allowing up to two courses (8 credit hours) to count toward the degree based on professional, volunteer, or life experience. Core and elective courses are offered online, either in evening sessions or asynchronously, with the option to attend in-person classes in Chicago’s Loop for those seeking a more traditional classroom experience. The program follows a cohort-based model, beginning each fall, and is designed for completion in as little as 12 months, enabling students to quickly apply their learning in professional settings. Through this combination of flexible delivery, experiential learning, and applied coursework, the MPS program equips graduates with the knowledge, skills, and network necessary to lead initiatives, manage organizations, and implement innovative solutions that create meaningful impact in communities and public service environments.