Master of Public Administration (MPA)

+ Required Courses

MPA500 Public Administration (3 credits)

This is the gateway course to the field of public administration. It examines the major intellectual and constitutional foundations of American government and public administration as well as current trends. The course includes theoretical and practical aspects of key governmental processes, the historical development of the field, contributions of social science to understanding organizations, and ethical issues in contemporary government activities.

MPA518 Administrative Law (3 credits)

This course explores the study of the legal framework of public administration. Basic principles of constitutional law and the institutions of American government are reviewed. The development of administrative agency as a contemporary legal and social phenomenon and its relationship to other branches of government are considered.

MPA509 Understanding Public Policy (3 credits)

Covers political and organizational perspectives on the policy-making process: agenda setting, policy design, adoption, implementation, evaluation, modification or termination, policy leadership skills, negotiation, and strategic mapping.

MPA505 State and Local Politics (3 credits)

This course considers issues related to politics in states and communities using a comparative approach. “Its focus is on conflicts in states and communities and the structures and processes designed to manage conflict” (Dye & MacManus, 2015, Preface). The course considers how conflict is carried on, how leaders act in conflict situations, and decisions are made about who gets what.

MPA514 Challenging Global Issues (3 credits)

This course covers the foundations of international relations and provides a comprehensive view of how interdependence and the forces of globalization are creating serious challenges to governments. The political, economic, and cultural forces are discussed in relation to contemporary globalization and world affairs.

MPA515 Policy Analysis (3 credits)

This course addresses the conceptual foundations and craft skills required to perform policy analysis. Students in this course will consider core economic principles and learn key research and communication skills, which are needed to construct applied analysis.

MPA506 Public Budgeting (3 credits)

This course covers the theory and practice of public budget preparation and review, governmental accounting and auditing, and political issues in the budget process. The course includes consideration of capital budgeting, revenue estimation, and the history of budget reform efforts.

MPA510 Economics in Public Administration (3 credits)

This course covers economics and the role of the government in an economy. Economists are concerned with the distributional aspects of resources and the ramifications of resource use. The primary objective of this course is to familiarize the student with basic economic concepts and theories that have been developed to explain economic issues that are faced, decisions that are made, and policies that are implemented.

MPA512 Global Business (3 credits)

This course considers whether globalization benefits or harms national economies. This course takes a close look at how changes in regulations governing international trade and investment, when coupled with changes in political systems and technology, have dramatically altered the competitive playing field confronting many businesses. It discusses the resulting opportunities and threats and reviews the strategies that managers can pursue to exploit the opportunities and counter the threats.

MPA599 Capstone Project (3 credits)

This Capstone course requires preparation of a written project demonstrating scholarship on some aspect of public administration, normally in-depth treatment of an applied management concern; must be approved by a thesis committee (chairperson and two faculty members). Concurrent enrollment in final courses with Dean’s approval.