Master of Public Administration
MPA program contact
Program Director:
Associate Professor Jeremy Gelman, Ph.D.
Application deadlines
Fall: March 1
Spring: November 1
Please note: the department does not offer application fee waivers.
Questions? Jump to the Frequently Asked Questions below.
Program overview
The Master of Public Administration program has the following general goals:
- To prepare people for careers in public administration and policy analysis
- To improve managerial competence of persons presently in public service through the advanced study of administrative processes and problems and through an increased understanding of policy issues and research skills
- To support additional University-based research in public administration and policy analysis
The courses in public administration are designed to increase the student's understanding of the internal organizational environment and to help the student develop needed managerial skills. Courses in public policy give the student an understanding of the social, political and economic environment in which public programs develop and operate. Courses in research methods provide the skills necessary in today's complex government agencies and activities. A track of specialization provides the student with additional competence in an area linked to individual interests and/or career goals.
Minimum requirements
- Undergraduate degree (B.A./B.S)
- Minimum 2.75 overall GPA (B.A./B.S.) or a 3.0 GPA for the last two years of B.A./B.S.
- 18 previously completed credit hours (six courses) in social science courses (broadly defined)
- GRE Scores (Please note: The GRE requirement is currently waived): GRE scores are normally required by the department and the Graduate School, and must be from an examination taken in the previous five years. However, this requirement is currently suspended for the Department of Political Science.
Please note that these are minimum requirements. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission to the program. Students are admitted on an increasingly competitive basis. The admission committees take into consideration a student's overall record, as well as the department's ability to accommodate a student's research/teaching interest. Application materials need to be mailed to the Graduate School. Please check the Graduate School website for additional information and deadlines.
Coursework
The MPA program does not require a thesis.
All MPA students are required to complete 30 credits of coursework, including general core courses (21 credits) and elective courses (nine credits). For most updated course offerings, please check the University General Catalog. You might also discuss with your advisor and/or director of graduate studies.
To apply
The following documents must be submitted to the Graduate School, 推荐杏吧原创:
- Undergraduate and graduate transcripts
- GRE scores (Please note: GRE requirement is currently waived. Scores are optional.)
- TOEFL scores (if applicable)
- Three letters of recommendation of which at least one is from a professor with whom you have taken and completed coursework.
Statement of purpose: this one-to-two-page statement should be double-spaced and printed in a standard font. In this statement, you should discuss your career and educational goals and how those goals fit into the research specializations of the department. Please make sure your name is at the top of each page.
MPA FAQ
The MPA is a practitioner’s degree for students who currently work in or plan to apply to jobs in government and non-profit organizations.
The MPA is specifically focused on Public Administration and Public Policy. It has no thesis or comprehensive exam requirements. It is focused on market-ready skills rather than on research. The MPA is completed by coursework only.
There is no funding for incoming MPA students, and generally no funding for MPA students throughout their time in our program. As this is a career-focused degree, funding and GTA positions are generally not commensurate with students’ goals and availability.
The MPA program generally holds its core classes at 4:30 p.m. or later to accommodate those who work full time.
No.