COURSE CURRICULUM

The Master of Public Administration (MPA) at Southeast Missouri State University is a 36-hour professional graduate program designed to prepare students for leadership roles in government, nonprofit organizations, and public service institutions by building strong administrative, analytical, and ethical decision-making skills. The program provides a solid foundation in public sector management through core courses such as Fundamentals of Public Administration, Organizational Theory and Behavior, and Public Policy Analysis, which help students understand how public organizations function and how policies are developed and implemented. Students also gain essential research and evaluation skills through Public Research Methods, enabling them to analyze programs and make evidence-based decisions. Additional core areas such as Public Personnel Administration, Government Budgeting Process, and Federalism provide in-depth knowledge of human resource management in public agencies, financial planning and accountability, and the structure of governance across federal, state, and local levels. A required internship allows students to apply classroom knowledge in real government or nonprofit settings, gaining practical experience that strengthens professional readiness, while some students may choose a thesis option instead for more research-focused work. Beyond the core, students select a 12-hour specialization track to tailor their degree to their career interests, choosing between nonprofit administration or state and local governance. The nonprofit track includes courses in nonprofit management, nonprofit marketing, and grants and fundraising, preparing students for leadership roles in charitable and community organizations. The state and local governance track focuses on areas such as social media and politics, organizational communication, statistics, and political science topics to strengthen policy analysis and public engagement skills. The program concludes with either a comprehensive exam or thesis, ensuring mastery of key public administration concepts. Overall, the MPA program equips graduates with the leadership, communication, and analytical abilities needed to manage public systems effectively, improve organizational performance, and serve communities through ethical and informed decision-making in both government and nonprofit sectors.