Program Requirements
All program requirements can be found in The MPA Student Handbook. As an MPA student, you must complete a minimum of 43 semester hours of academic work. This consists of 28 hours of required coursework including a 1 semester hour pre-professional seminar in public administration, 3 semester hours of research paper (POLS 596) and a six hour internship (POLS 595). All students must complete and successfully defend their research paper orally before a three-member graduate faculty committee.
Students not in the aviation concentration take 15 semester hours of elective credit. Students enrolled in the aviation concentration take an additional 12 hours of required aviation coursework and 3 hours of elected course credit. At least 21 semester hours (excluding the six hours of internship and three hours of research paper) of graduate level coursework must be taken from courses offered within the Political Science Department.
Our program works closely with its advisory board which is staffed with local, state, federal, and non-profit professionals from around the country. MPA students and faculty meet with the advisory board twice a year to ensure curriculum and extracurricular activities effectively prepare students for a career in public service.
Curriculum
All MPA students, with the exception of those concentrating in aviation, take the following courses for 28 hours of credit. This curriculum reflects NASPAA accreditation requirements.
POLS 503B- Data Preparation and Management
Covers the micro computer creation, dictionarying, and cleaning and management of data files using SPSSPC, SASPC, or other micro packages. Also treats Disk Operating Language and procedures for moving data between micro and main frame computers. A research tool course not to be counted toward graduate degree requirements. Prerequisite: admission to political science or MPA graduate program or consent.
POLS 540– Seminar in Public Management
Examination of the social, political, legal and managerial constraints on the behavior of public administrators. Special attention is given to the relationship between public sector managers, on the one hand, and legislators, interest group representatives, elected executives, agency employees, clients, and the general public, on the other hand. Issues in ethics and the public’s expectations of professional administrators are also examined. Prerequisite: GEB 212 and Political Science 340 or equivalent or consent of instructor.
POLS 542– Public Budgeting and Fiscal Management
An examination of the theory and practice of budgeting in the public sector and of selected elements of fiscal management. The course focuses on administrative aspects of budgeting and is oriented toward preparation of students for careers in the public service. Approaches and tech-niques in revenue forecasting, program planning and performance measurement are included. Students utilize primary materials in conducting individual or class projects aimed at development of budgetary skills. Prerequisite: 340 or equivalent or consent of instructor.
POLS 543– Human Resource Management
A study of the processes and procedures used in contemporary public personnel systems. Emphasis is placed on examination of competing models of personnel administration, application of personnel management strategies to specific case problems and public sector labor relations. Required of all M.P.A. degree candidates. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.
POLS 544– Program Analysis and Evaluation
An examination of approaches and problems in the analysis and evaluation of governmental programs. Emphasis is placed upon the use of analytical techniques to determine program impact and the use of evaluation in governmental decision making. Required of all M.P.A. degree candidates. Prerequisite: graduate level statistics course or consent of instructor.
POLS 545– Organizational Theory and Behavior
An examination of various approaches to describing and understanding public organizations and the individuals within them. Emphasis is placed on study of the important theoretical literature in the field and on the application of theory of practical management problems in governmental units and agencies. Required of all M.P.A. students. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.
POLS 594– Professional Seminar in Public Administration
Guides students in preparing to write their MPA research paper, including writing of the proposal for evaluation by the student's research committee. The internship experience, preparation of resume, conducting job searches and other professional development topics are also addressed. Required of all MPA students. Graded S/U only. Prerequisite: consent of department.
POLS 595- Internship in Public Affairs
Fieldwork in the office of a governmental or quasi-governmental agency. The internship is arranged by the field coordinator of the M.P.A. degree program
POLS 596– Research Paper in Public Affairs
Upon successful completion of core courses, the student expands and develops a previously written MPA graduate program paper. The project involves an issue or problem in public administration and is written with the approval and under the supervision of the student’s committee chair. Graded S/U required. Prerequisite: consent of department.