COURSE CURRICULUM

The Master of Public Administration (M.P.A.) program at Wright State University is a 36-credit graduate degree designed to prepare students for leadership roles in public service, nonprofit organizations, and related sectors, and it is structured around 21 credit hours of core public administration coursework, 9–12 credit hours of electives aligned with one of four optional tracks (general, criminal justice, social issues, or community health), a 3-credit internship requirement (which may be waived through Prior Learning Assessment for experienced professionals with at least five years of relevant work experience in public administration, nonprofit work, military service, or similar fields, subject to portfolio review and approval), and 3–6 credit hours of culminating capstone, research project, or thesis work that integrates learning across the program. The curriculum is designed for working professionals, with courses typically meeting once per week in the evening, and students can complete the degree in either two years with summer coursework or three years with a lighter or no summer load. Core courses include foundational areas such as public administration theory, organizational behavior, administrative law, budgeting and fiscal management, quantitative analysis, human resource management, and research methods, ensuring students develop strong analytical, managerial, and policy-related skills applicable to government and nonprofit environments. The program emphasizes flexibility and applied learning, allowing students to tailor electives and capstone projects to their career interests while maintaining a strong shared academic foundation across all students. In addition, students may enhance their expertise through optional graduate certificates such as Geographic Information Science, further strengthening their technical and professional capabilities. Overall, the M.P.A. program is designed to produce effective public sector leaders capable of managing organizations, analyzing policy issues, and delivering services that address community and societal needs efficiently and ethically.