Public administration focuses on the delivery of public goods and services, the implementation of public policy, and the execution of laws and rules. Its studies, however, are much broader to include the functioning and leading of large and complex organizations. By definition and necessity, public administration is both science and art: science in that it is a study of how bureaucracies function and art in that it is a study of how to steer and manage organizations.
Political appointees of the past are rapidly being replaced by a new type of public sector managers, more similar to executives, engineers, and accountants of the private sector. Governments, agencies, foundations, and authorities are seeking highly motivated individuals with communication, critical analysis, public budgeting and human resources management skills, strategic planning abilities, grant-writing experience, program development capabilities, organizational skills, and the ability to solve problems creatively.
ÌÇÐÄVLOGÍøÒ³°æ’s MPA program prepares its graduates to be competent administrators, professionals and leaders in public and nonprofit organizations, domestically and internationally. The program educates socially responsible world citizens through civic and community engagement and innovation and develops a worldview by infusing international perspectives and activities into the curriculum. The program is dedicated to emphasizing public service values such as public interest, efficiency, effectiveness, democratic representation and participation, equity, diversity, sustainability, and accountability.
Our central location to city, county, state, and federal government offices makes ÌÇÐÄVLOGÍøÒ³°æ a virtual public administration laboratory. Our close proximity allows for continuous interaction with government and agency leaders who visit classes on a regular basis and often serve as instructors themselves. This is a program in which real world case studies are often the focus of seminar deliberations and class projects. In addition, internship opportunities abound. This practical experience adds balance to academic life.
ÌÇÐÄVLOGÍøÒ³°æ's Master of Public Administration is a STEM Designated Degree Program. The STEM designation also has special implications for international students who are studying in the United States on a student F-1 visa. For most international students, there is an opportunity to complete work experience following the completion of their degree through a program called Optional Practical Training (OPT). The standard duration for OPT is 12 months. However, if the student has completed a STEM approved program, OPT can be extended by as much as 24 months for a total of 36 months. For any clarification of the I-20 purpose, please contact ÌÇÐÄVLOGÍøÒ³°æ’s Office of Global Admissions and Outreach. To be eligible, students must have a STEM degree from an accredited U.S. school and must secure employment with an employer that includes a minimum of 20 hours of work per week and formal training within the STEM field.
This designation reflects the program's commitment to the traditional MPA coursework with an emphasis throughout the curriculum on utilizing today's technology for data-driven decision making.
ÌÇÐÄVLOGÍøÒ³°æ’s MPA program has uniquely infused quantitative methods into the traditional MPA curriculum focused on the quantitative approaches and analysis. The STEM MPA program utilizes quantitative methods to analyze, synthesize, think critically, solve problems and make decisions. In addition to the public budgeting and finance course that tries to balance both revenue and expenditure with quantitative approaches, the research methodology course stresses on quantitative methods compared to qualitative methods of analysis, and research design and implementation. The Capstone Project course also focuses on quantitative data collection and analysis to better align with the STEM designation of the MPA program. These adjustments make the ÌÇÐÄVLOGÍøÒ³°æ’s MPA program unique that the graduates will be equipped with data-driven decision skills and competency in today’s consistently changing environment.
As the basis for its curriculum, the MPA program will adopt a set of required competencies related to its mission and public service values. The required competencies will include five domains:
1. The ability to lead and manage in public governance;
2. To participate in and contribute to the policy process;
3. Utilize quantitative methods to analyze, synthesize, think critically, solve problems, and make decisions;
4. To articulate and apply a public service perspective;
5. To communicate and interact productively with a diverse and changing workforce and citizenry.
The traditional MPA graduates are expected to be the administrative staff and assuming managerial roles in public and nonprofit organizations. The MPA STEM Designated Program graduates are expected to do policy analysis in public and nonprofit organizations. Graduates of the MPA STEM Designated Program will be prepared for employment across a broad spectrum of disciplines, including public, nonprofit and private sectors
Specifically, job options for individuals with MPA STEM Designated Program degrees include:
Degree: Graduate | Master of Public Administration
College: College of Humanities, Education and Social Sciences
Associate Professor
Political Science Program
Program Director
Political Science Program
Associate Professor
Master of Public Admin
Associate Professor
Political Science Program
Director, School of Public Ser
Public Service & Global Affair
Associate Professor
Master of Public Admin
Professor
Master of Public Admin
Program Director, MPA
Master of Public Admin
Adjunct Faculty
Master of Public Admin
Adjunct Faculty
Master of Public Admin
Adjunct Faculty
Public Service & Global Affair
Adjunct Faculty
Master of Public Admin
Adjunct Lecturer
Graduate Business Studies
Adjunct Lecturer
Business Administration
Adjunct Faculty
Master of Public Admin
Adjunct Faculty
Master of Public Admin
Adjunct Faculty
Master of Public Admin
Adjunct Faculty
Master of Public Admin
Adjunct Lecturer
Communication and The Arts
Adjunct Faculty
Master of Public Admin
Adjunct Faculty
Master of Public Admin
Adjunct Faculty
Master of Public Admin
Adjunct Lecturer
Legal Studies
Adjunct Faculty
Master of Public Admin
Adjunct Faculty
Master of Public Admin
Adjunct Lecturer
Political Science Program
Adjunct Faculty
Public Service & Global Affair
Adjunct Lecturer
Act 48/GUEC
Adjunct Faculty
Master of Public Admin
Adjunct Lecturer
Education Program
Adjunct Faculty
Master of Public Admin