COURSE CURRICULUM

The Master of Public Administration program at Fairleigh Dickinson University is designed to prepare students for leadership and management roles in public, nonprofit, healthcare, and policy-focused organizations through a curriculum that combines analytical, managerial, and strategic training. The program emphasizes professional competencies including communication, critical thinking, information literacy, and strategic orientation, ensuring graduates can analyze information, evaluate policies, collaborate effectively, and provide informed recommendations in complex organizational settings. Admission requirements include a completed graduate application, official transcripts, a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.70, and payment of a non-refundable application fee, although applicants with lower GPAs may be admitted on probation. The MPA curriculum consists of 39 to 42 credits, including required foundation courses in public and nonprofit management, organizational theory, budgeting and finance, public policy administration, human resources management, and analytical or quantitative decision-making methods. Students also complete elective courses that allow deeper study in specialized management areas, along with either an MPA project report or thesis and a required internship or independent study designed to provide practical experience and career preparation. Students may pursue specializations in Global Affairs, Healthcare Management, Public Management, or Public Policy by focusing elective coursework in those areas. The program additionally offers dual-degree opportunities, including an MPA/PharmD option for pharmacy students and an MPA/MPH dual degree that combines public administration and public health education in a two-and-a-half-year format. The MPA/MPH program develops competencies in communication, leadership, systems thinking, policy analysis, healthcare systems, epidemiology, strategic communication, governance, and health management. Students complete a 60-credit curriculum featuring courses in public management, healthcare project management, epidemiology, biostatistics, environmental health, public health policy, and public health research, culminating in a hands-on practicum experience. Graduates are prepared for leadership careers in community health, hospital management, government agencies, healthcare organizations, the FDA, the CDC, and public policy institutions while also qualifying to pursue the Certified in Public Health examination.