The Master of Public Administration (MPA) is a graduate degree designed specifically for managers in public and nonprofit organizations. The public sector continues to play an important role in the effective functioning of society.

Public sector managers deal with complex, high-impact issues that require expert judgment in a wide variety of areas. Public administrators lead a large and small public-service organizations including federal, state and local government agencies; community organizations; charities; and foundations.

The MPA provides students with the tools, knowledge, and insights needed to do a good job performing their duties in government agencies and not-for-profit organizations.

The MPA degree program is a 33 credit-hour program. Students must take six core courses and five additional courses in their major. These courses provide a strong foundation in theory and practice.

The following courses are available to students in the MPA degree program:

Core Courses
(3-credit courses)

The core courses are organized to ensure students have a strong foundation in general management topics applicable across all levels of public and private enterprises.

Mgt 200. Business Basics
Mgt 210. Quantitative Methods in Decision-making
Mgt 220. Information Technology
Mgt 250. Project Management
Mgt 254. Contracts & Procurement
Mgt 230. Leadership and Organization

Public Administration
(3-credit courses)

The concentration courses in public administration provide in-depth information on the dynamic roles of public administrators, the budget process, business law and ethics, and managing major program in government. They are also required courses for the Executive Certificate in Public Administration.

Courses in the Public Administration major include:

Mgt 270. Principles of Public Sector Management
Mgt 271. Structure and Function of Government
Mgt 272. The Budget Process
Mgt 202. Business Law and Ethics
Mgt 279. Management of Major Programs

Criminal Justice Administration
(3-credit courses)

The MPA with a concentration in criminal justice administration provides five key courses that are designed to meet the needs of professionals in the field of criminal justice who wish to enhance their knowledge, skills, and abilities in management as well as criminal justice.

CJ200. Criminal Justice System
CJ210. Criminal Law
CJ230. Criminology
CJ240. Criminal Justice Management
CJ255. Criminal Courts System