COURSE CURRICULUM

The Master of Public Administration (MPA) program requires students to complete 39 semester hours of graduate coursework designed to build strong competencies in public policy, administration, and applied governance. The curriculum is structured to provide both theoretical understanding and practical administrative skills needed for leadership roles in public service organizations at the federal, state, and local levels. A major component of the program is the 21-hour Public Policy and Administration core, which includes foundational and advanced courses such as Foundations of Public Administration (PSC 565), Public Personnel Administration (PSC 562), Organization Theory (PSC 662), Public Policy Analysis (PSC 664), Local Government Administration (PSC 665), Public Budgeting (PSC 667), and Program Evaluation (PSC 668). These courses develop students’ abilities in managing public organizations, analyzing policy issues, designing and evaluating programs, and handling fiscal and administrative responsibilities. In addition, students complete a 3-hour Quantitative Methods course (PSC 522), which strengthens their analytical and data-driven decision-making skills essential for modern governance. The remaining credit hours consist of approved electives and an internship requirement. Students complete either 12 hours of electives if they undertake a 3-hour internship (PSC 679) or 15 hours of electives if they do not complete the internship, with elective options approved by the MPA Director and potentially including specialized topics in public administration. The internship component is mandatory for pre-service students and provides applied professional experience in a public service environment, linking academic learning with real-world practice. In addition to coursework, all students must complete a Portfolio Project in their final semester, demonstrating their cumulative learning and professional readiness. Overall, the program is designed to prepare graduates for effective leadership, policy analysis, and administrative roles by combining rigorous academic training with practical experience in public service contexts.