Master of Public Administration, Hybrid Track

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.

MPA Program of Study (PDF)

Core Requirements (24-credit hours)

• PBAD 7631 Foundations of Public Administration
• PBAD 7430 Public Human Resource Management
• 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.

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:

• City Managers
• Budget Analysts
• Human Resource Managers
• Program Evaluators
• Policy Analysts
• Government Contractors

Public Management Concentration (PDF)

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.

Nonprofit Management Concentration (PDF)