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The Hybrid Track is ideal for current and aspiring public service professionals who are seeking an innovative, yet more traditional graduate education experience. This track provides an effective education that combines the best of online and in-person course delivery. For example, a typical course divides up online (50%) and in-person (50%) instruction across the semester. In-person instruction takes place on Georgia Southern’s Statesboro Campus, which is the oldest and largest campus at the University.
The Hybrid Track requires 24 credits of core courses, twelve (12) credits of emphasis courses, three (3) credits of internship (depending on whether student is pre-service or in-service), and a comprehensive examination.
PBAD 7230 Budgeting in Public Service Organizations
PBAD 7130 Ethics for Public Service Organizations
PBAD 7531 Public Program Evaluation
PBAD 7532 Public Policy
PBAD 7530 Research Methods for Public Service Organizations
PBAD 7134 Advanced Management
Concentration Requirements (12-credit hours)
Select one of the following:
Public Management
Nonprofit Management
Internship (3-credit hours)
The internship (PBAD 7730) requires a minimum of 300-hours in an approved public or nonprofit organization. The internship is required of all pre-service students. Students who do not have a minimum of three years relevant work experience in the public (civil or military) sector, nonprofit organization, or closely related position are required to complete an approved internship before completing the program. Students must have completed at least nine credits and have a GPA in the MPA program of at least 3.0 before enrolling for credit in the internship.
In consultation with a student’s faculty advisor, in-service students may use (1) their current position for the internship or (2) complete an additional seminar course.
Comprehensive Examination
Students must pass a written comprehensive examination. Students may sit for the comprehensive examination after completing a minimum of 27 credit hours in the MPA program with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 and by permission of the MPA Program Director.
MPA, Concentration in Public Management
The public management concentration is designed to provide students with the theoretical and practical training necessary to be effective managers and administrators of public sector organizations in local government, state government, or the federal civil service. In addition to taking core courses that directly address public management issues, students are able to individually tailor their program of study by choosing from several elective public management concentration courses including:
Organization Development and Leadership
Information Technology
Administrative Law
Budget and Financial Management
Public Policy and Analysis
Grant Writing
Upon successful completion of the public management concentration, students will be proficient in a variety of public sector management techniques necessary for working in a number of administrative government settings. Specifically, students will explore:
Contemporary best practices, challenges, and general trends in the public management field.
The foundational literature on which the field of public management was built.
The quantitative, qualitative, and other analytical methods needed to promote greater effectiveness, efficiency, and equity in public service organizations.
Graduates of the public management concentration within the MPA program typically seek employment in government jobs at the local and state levels. However, it also common for students to explore opportunities at the federal level. In particular, the public management concentration prepares students to pursue employment as:
The nonprofit management concentration is designed to provide students with the practical and theoretical training they need to work in the nonprofit sector. In addition to the MPA core curriculum students complete 12-credit hours of nonprofit management electives, selecting from courses including:
Philanthropy
International Nongovernmental Organizations
Community Development
Nonprofit Administration
Strategic Management
Board Governance and Executive Leadership
Financial Management for Nonprofit Organizations
Resource Development and Grant Writing
Upon successful completion of the nonprofit management concentration students will have an understanding of the broad questions and issues facing the nonprofit sector as well as the practical managerial and administrative techniques necessary for success. Specifically, students will explore:
The role of the nonprofit sector in democratic society.
The historical institutional evolution of charity and philanthropy in the United States.
The diverse roles of philanthropic institutions in the political, social and economic environment.
The financial realities of nonprofits and the importance of accountability and ethical questions facing nonprofits.
The legal framework of nonprofit organizations.
The critical issues related to board governance, strategic planning, fundraising and financial management.
The nonprofit sector provides graduates a breadth of professional options. Typical careers that a graduate of the MPA program with a nonprofit management concentration would be prepared for include:
Executive Director
Fundraiser
Event Planner
Program Officer
Foundation Official
Community Engagement/Organizing
Administrative and leadership positions within nonprofits in a variety of areas such as education, arts, health services, and international humanitarian organizations.
Georgia Southern’s Master of Public Administration program is recognized as one of the top graduate programs at the University and one of the best and most affordable MPA programs in Georgia.*
*Ranked No. 2 in Affordable Colleges in Georgia 2021 by College Affordability Guide, No. 4 for 2020 Most Affordable Online Public Administration Degrees by OnlineU. Ranked No. 4 in Georgia for the MPA program in the 2020 Best Public Administration Colleges in Georgia.
MPA Degree Fast Facts
Degree: Master of Public Administration (MPA)
Format: Hybrid (Online and Statesboro Campus), also available as a fully online Executive Track
Concentrations: Public Management or Nonprofit Management (Hybrid Track Only)
Credit Hours: 39 Hours
Completion Time: Five semesters
Priority Deadline: March 15, 2023
Admission Deadline: August 1, 2023
Benefits of the MPA Hybrid Track:
Curriculum that provides ‘real world’ knowledge and experience
Concentrated programs of study in public and nonprofit management
Hybrid course format that combines online and in-person instruction on the Statesboro Campus
Dedicated MPA faculty and staff committed to student success
Graduate Assistantships and other financial assistance
Large network of Georgia Southern MPA alumni
Master of Public Administration Info Booklet
If you are unable to use the section below, please refer to the PDF version of the Info Booklet here.
Still Have Questions? Contact Us!
Department of Public and Nonprofit Studies Georgia Southern University P.O. Box 8048 Statesboro, Georgia 30460-8048
The Master of Public Administration (MPA) program is a NASPAA accredited degree program. The Department of Public and Nonprofit Studies is a member of the Nonprofit Academic Centers Council (NACC).