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• Master in Public Administration (Non-Thesis)

Students who graduate from this degree can work in the industries of Academe and Research in which they can perform the work of a Program Manager, Administration Officer, Administrative and Finance Officer, Municipal Officer, General Administration.

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Master of Public Administration (M.P.A)

Educating Public Servants, Strengthening Communities, Igniting Change

The Master of Public Administration (M.P.A) degree provides professional education for students interested in public service careers in public and nonprofit management. The program equips students with the knowledge, skills, values, and behaviors essential to the effective and ethical public servant. The M.P.A curriculum components are designed to develop leadership capacity and produce professionals capable of critical thinking and ethical decision making.

Become a Public Servant

The M.P.A program is designed for students who are passionate about serving their communities. The program emphasizes hands-on learning that is grounded in real-world experiences. We deliver high quality education through an innovative curriculum and dedicated teaching by professors who have practical experience in public and nonprofit organizations. In addition, since many of our students are full-time professionals, our students also have the opportunity to interact and network with other professionals in the field and be part of our vibrant alumni network.

Experience That Matters to You

Pre-service and in-career students can choose a course of study that best fits their interests and schedule:

• Select between non-thesis and thesis options
• Attend the program part-time or full-time
• Complete the degree face-to-face, hybrid or fully online

What You Will Learn

Example core courses include:

• Intergovernmental Relations
• Organizational Behavior
• Human Resource Management
• Budgeting and Finance
• Public Policy
• Advanced ethics in public administration

Estimated Completion

36 Credit Hours (18+ months)

Application Process

• Admission to Tarleton State University – Graduate Studies
• Tuition & Fee Calculator

Locations Available

• Criminology, Criminal Justice, and Public Administration

Accreditations

• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)

Related Programs

Not what you were looking for? Tarleton State University offers over 100 different degrees and certifications that may be of interest to you, including:

• B.S Public Administration
• M.C.J. Criminal Justice
• M.Ed. Educational Administration
• B.S. Criminal Justice
• B.A.A.S. Criminal Justice Administration
• B.A.A.S. Public Administration

Who can I contact for more information?

If you are looking for more information feel free to either request more information below using the form or email [email protected]

Learn more about graduate studies at Tarleton! 

Contact Information

“The M.P.A Program at Tarleton State University has enabled me to pursue my goal of a master’s degree in Public Administration by their convenient online course options that are appealing to full-time, working professionals with strenuous schedules. The faculty at TSU also understands the challenges of their students in these positions and works hard to help the student balance these commitments in order to be successful. Obtaining an M.P.A degree with TSU will not only aid me in my current position within local government but will also broaden the knowledge base to further my career.” Chief Kimberly Sylvester, Chief of Police-Richland Hills Police Department

“Tarleton’s Public Administration program was flexible and convenient for me as a working professional. I learned to research and develop policies to implement positive change, and to add public value to the projects and programs I manage. The M.P.A helped enhance my leadership abilities, and have become a more effective manager. The professors leveraged their extensive field experience to provide relevant, hands-on lessons to better equip students for their next steps. The program allowed me to tailor my capstone research project to the defense industry. As a result, I deepened my understanding of the Department of Defense, its acquisition processes, and its public policies affecting the defense industrial base.” Austin Williams, Associate Manager in Defense and Aerospace Industry

“I first learned of the M.P.A. program during my junior year at Tarleton. It was at a job fair where I learned about the benefits of obtaining an M.P.A., and how this degree can and will prepare me for my future career in the public sector. Through this program, I was able to obtain an internship that will prepare me for the challenges and learning experiences that are to come in the Public Administration field. I love the staff that is present in this program; they are supportive and want to see each of us succeed in our future endeavors.” Shaiquiar Smith, Student

Program Features

Dr. Galia Cohen the Department Head of the Division of Public Administration and an Assistant Professor. She specializes in organizational development and human resource management and has more than 10 years of experience in teaching, training and consulting in the public sector. Dr. Cohen is the nationally elected District V representative for the National Council of the American Society for Public Administration (ASPA) and the Book Review Editor for the premier journal in public administration, Public Administration Review (PAR).

Students who wish to pursue a doctoral degree after receiving their master's degree should follow the Thesis Track, where they will conduct an original research for their thesis. Students who choose the Non-Thesis Track will complete the M.P.A. by taking two electives instead of thesis hours and complete a capstone project. For more information, students should contact their graduate program advisor.

In addition to providing students with a rigorous curriculum, our program is operated by top notch faculty members and highly qualified personnel who have years of experience in a variety of fields within the public and nonprofit sectors. Our teaching personnel include budget managers, police chiefs, organizational development experts, public health administrators, and urban planners that provide students with a wealth of personal experiences and the opportunity to gain outstanding networking connections.

Plan Your Future

A degree in public administration opens the door to careers at all public and nonprofit agencies in areas related to the following interests or departments:

• Community and economic development
• Public health/social services
• Education/higher education
• Parks and recreation
• Law enforcement and public safety
• Emergency management
• Disaster response
• Public works
• Urban Planning
• Finance and budgeting

Some of the jobs held by our M.P.A graduates include:

• City manager/Assistant city manager
• Chief of Police
• Human Resource Director
• Strategic planning director
• Community engagement coordinator
• Grant writer
• Budget analyst
• Policy analyst
• Director of a Non-profit Agency

Career Services offers students a wide variety of professional development opportunities that can translate into careers. A few of these programs include:

• Career counseling and My Plan
• Mock interviews
• Resume assistance
• And many more!
• View Public Administration Faculty.
• View Frequently Asked Questions about this program.
• M.P.A Fact Sheet

(02)8-6965368

0917-596-8559

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0917-596-8545

0997-781-5423

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Master's Degree Programs

Quezon city campus.

• Master in Business Administration

Master in Public Administration

Guimba campus.

• Master of Arts in Education

WCC MPA (One year non-thesis program)

is a dynamic, intensive, and interdisciplinary degree program that prepares aspirants like you for senior management roles in the public, private, and non-profit sectors. By integrating theory and practice, you will gain the skillset that you will need to respond effectively to complex policy and management issues, to think strategically in order to anticipate and plan for future challenges, and empower you to make a difference to society.

• Demonstrate broad understanding of public affairs, policy development, policy analysis, economic analysis, management skills, and organization theory and their applications to public service.
• Conduct a purposeful inquiry exploring the problem/issue a client is experiencing.
• Apply critical thinking and appropriate technology for public policy analysis.
• Work with and for others in ways that translate community need into policy solutions & public service action to promote a just and humane world.
• Communicate effectively for different audiences & purposes.

MPA Program Outcomes

FIRST TERM (12 UNITS)

SECOND TERM (12 UNITS)

THIRD TERM (12 UNITS)

                            COMPREHENSIVE EXAMINATION

FOURTH TERM - WITH THESIS ONLY (9 UNITS)

TOTAL: 42 UNITS

Why WCC MPA?

• Modular system – subjects are taught on a modular approach to accommodate your studies around your lifestyle and work schedule. 
• Outstanding faculty – learn from a team of professors who are industry practitioners. Beyond their academic credentials, they have a wide real-world business experience.
• Learn from diversity – be part of the group of individuals from diverse professional backgrounds and expertise that allows your peer learning experience broaden your horizons and gain fresh perspectives in the business environment.
• Invaluable network – foster personal and professional growth through connections to people and organizations which you will find beneficial to your career development and beyond.

For inquiries, please contact

Career center, antipolo, rizal campus.

156 M.L. Quezon Avenue, Antipolo City, Rizal

(02) 8-6965368 0917-596-8559

960 Aurora Boulevard Quezon City PH 1109

(02) 3-438-4580 0917-596-8545

Provincial Road, Saranay District, Guimba, Nueva Ecija

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• Public Matters

Non-Thesis Track: Comprehensive Exam Sample Questions

Budget and finance.

• Pick a government or nonprofit agency. Describe the agency and its function, and then give concrete examples of inputs, outputs, and outcomes relevant to the core function of this agency. To effectively manage financial and programmatic resources, determine which of the core functions the line-item budget focuses on. Then develop performance measures, using agency outcomes or outputs.
• A variety of federal legislative reforms have sought to address the erosion of budgetary norms and discipline that have resulted in the growth of deficit. Discuss these reforms in the context of managing financial and programmatic resources. Does the problem exist at the state level? Explain.
• Capital budgeting is used at the state and local level. Distinguish between operating and capital budgeting. Why is debt finance potentially appropriate for capital budgeting but not operating budgets?
• Discuss the two principles often used in evaluating tax policy: ability to pay (include a discussion of horizontal and vertical equity), and the benefits principle. Provide an example of tax policy which primarily emphasizes ability to pay and another which demonstrates the benefits principle.

Organization Theory

• Systems theory has been used to explain organizations. Explain systems theory using examples from the public or nonprofit organizations. Is this theoretical construct useful in improving our understanding of organizations?
• Classical organization theory deals with systematic efforts to make bureaucracy more efficient and effective. Taylor and Weber are two key scholars credited with the development of classical organization theory. What basic arguments were articulated by each in their development of classical organization theory?
• Herbert Simon is a key critic of comprehensive rational decision making. How did Simon think leaders made decisions? How have Simon’s ideas informed public leadership and management?
• In PA 5320, several competing theories were discussed throughout the semester dealing with the proper way to define, study, and thus understand organization/s. In your opinion, which theory is most appropriate in defining and organizing public institutions? Which theory is the least helpful? Explain.

Public Management

• A fundamental assumption of administrative reform in the late 1880s and early 1900s was that politics could have only adverse effects on administration. In the context of the need to balance effectiveness, efficiency, and equity in public service, how valid is that belief? Why?
• In the context of articulating and applying a public service perspective, describe how bureaucrats and bureaucracies be held accountable. By whom and by what means can they be held accountable? Describe the steps and measures that can be used to promote accountability.
• Identify an issue in your organization or local community. Write a problem definition and develop a theory-of-change and logic model to address this problem to make a case that public funds should be invested. Create measurable outputs and outcomes so you can demonstrate that your program has made a difference.
• You have been asked to lead a team to develop Key Performance Indicators for units across your organization. Develop an orientation to performance management and KPIs for the team. Use PowerPoint slides, examples, and other resources. Provide a narrative that supports the training materials.
• The ethics course covered several cases that presented typical ethical issues that a public or nonprofit administrator is likely to face in practice. Select and describe one such case and then discuss administrative ethics by answering the following questions:

a) What are the most important ethical principles involved?

b) To what extent are these principles likely to affect you as an administrator?

c) How would you have handled this situation and why?

d) Does this case illustrate conflicts between administrative ethics and democratic values?

e) How useful are the guidelines in the ASPA code of ethics and similar codes in dealing with an issue like this one?

• The Friedrich (1940)-Finer (1941) debate is a defining moment in the field of administrative ethics. Describe the position of each scholar and the contours of the debate. Review the subsequent scholarship that sprung from this debate in the PA literature. Do you believe that this debate is still a useful way of describing the ethics terrain in public administration?
• Summarize the concepts of “administrative evil” and “surplus population.” How can public managers make themselves and others aware about how understand that administrative evil is “masked” and the implications of a category of people being framed as a surplus population? Use contemporary examples to inform your response.
• What are ethical challenges? Identify an ethical issue you have faced in your professional or personal life. Examine this issue using Cooper’s Ethical Decision-Making Model. Write a brief case study so that you can help others become responsible administrators.

Public Policy and Analysis

• The San Marcos City Council asks you to apply Eugene Bardach and Eric M. Patashnik’s “A Practical Guide for Policy Analysis” for scooter usage in San Marcos, TX.” Students at Texas State University have been attending meetings demanding the council create a policy response to accommodate their travel choices. Conversely, the residents of San Marcos, primarily comprised on AARP eligible homeowners, question the utility of other modes of transportation within the city given the available options. As a researcher working for the non-partisan Center Against Ridiculous Transportation Systems (CARTS), you are asked to help the council decide by drafting a policy paper that includes a timeline for implementing your recommendations.
• North Guadalupe Street in San Marcos, TX recently added a unique parking arrangement near East Hopkins Street. It has been described as a cross between a bicycle lane and on-street parking several feet from the curb. However, the San Marcos City Council cannot agree on the best approach to evaluate this policy decision. In short, they did not think through the pilot study, including its effectiveness, efficiency, or equity. Create a policy memo that explains (a) how the council should evaluate this new parking approach, and (b) what factors should be considered before the council decides to construct similar parking arrangements throughout the city.
• There are many restaurants located within the college town of Podunk Plateau, TX that accommodate various tastes and incomes levels. College students working within these restaurants do not always follow the basics for handling food safely according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture or the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. A meeting is scheduled two weeks away that your supervisor wants you to attend. When you arrive at the meeting, the following representatives are present: the president of the university’s student government association and subject matter experts from state government, the restaurant industry, and two food safety watchdog groups (carnivore and herbivore). The goal of the meeting is to develop a notification system to educate restaurant patrons about the results of periodic food inspections. Outline the policy recommendations that will satisfy the attendees and the patrons working towards this goal. Please make sure to include relevant background information pertaining to regulations for the restaurant industry.
• Understanding the key elements of the policy making process and evaluating the impact of public programs are core competencies of successful public administration. This series of interrelated questions asks you to explain the policy making process around transit funding and asks you to evaluate transit outcomes in light of these funding opportunities and constraints. First, lay out the underlying components of the transportation public policy process by tracking funding from the federal government to local implementation. This should link conceptual understanding of the policy process with the actors and agencies responsible for transportation funding at all levels of government in the United States. Second, with this background in mind, explain how transit funding is advantaged or disadvantaged because of the key funding structures currently in place. Data on the outcomes of transit should be used to help show how current funding formulas open up and/or constrain transit access.

Public Administration, Master of Professional Studies (M.P.S.)

Non-thesis only: 36 credits required

The Master's of Professional Studies in Public Administration (MPPA) program provides an in-depth education for students seeking professional careers in public administration. The MPPA requires the completion of 36 credit hours in various aspects of public administration and policy. The program can be completed in either 16 months or 21 months. It is particularly appropriate for international students and uses numerous examples and case studies from around the world. It is cohort-based, with all students in a cohort taking the same courses. Please check the School's website to find out when the next cohort is expected to be formed.

Between the first and second year, and/or during the academic year, most students engage in internships in international, federal, state or local government agencies, non-profit organizations, or private firms that are engaged in public administration. In addition to offering practical experiences and the opportunity to further develop skills acquired during the first year, these internships provide students with contacts and relationships useful for future projects and job placement.

Students should consult with their advisor to determine remaining course requirements.

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Master in Public Administration (Thesis and Non-Thesis)

Major in fiscal administration.

• About this Course

About this course

Things you might need for this course, about the provider.

University of the East (UE) is a private university founded in 1946 by Dr. Francisco T. Dalupan Sr. as a review class for the Certified Public Accountant Examination. From the review class, the founder established the Philippine College of Commerce and Business Administration (PCCBA) along R. Papa St. in Sampaloc, Manila. PCCBA opened the Colleges of Liberal Arts (now the College of Arts and Sciences), Business Administration (CBA), Dentistry and the Graduate School of Business Administration and by 1951, it was granted its university status and renamed as the University of the East.

UE offers degree programs in Law, Dentistry, Nursing, Physical Therapy, Arts and  Sciences, Fine Arts, Architecture and Design, Business Administration, Engineering, Education, and Computer Studies and Systems. It has three campuses, all located in Luzon. Its main campus is UE Manila, while the satellite campuses are located in Caloocan (Caloocan Campus) and Quezon City (the UE Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Medical Center (UERMMMC)).

Currently, UE Graduate School offers Masters and Doctorate courses in the fields of Philosophy, Sciences, Dentistry, Business, Public Administration, Education, Construction, and Information Management. UERMMMC Graduate School offers postgraduate courses in Medicine, Nursing, Public Health, and Physical Therapy. The University of the East also has an Elementary and High School Department (UE-EHSD) to cater to basic education for students.

Master of Public Administration

The Master of Public Administration (MPA) program is located within the Department of Government in the College of Arts and Sciences on the main campus of New Mexico State University. The MPA degree addresses the specific needs of those pursuing a career in governmental or non-profit administration, and provides preparation for those interested in doctoral level study. With most courses offered in the evenings, the program is designed for both individuals who recently completed undergraduate degrees and returning students. It is structured to foster public service leadership by teaching students how to confront theory with practice and practice with theory. The MPA is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration (NASPAA), a distinction enjoyed by only about one-fourth of all Master’s programs in public administration in the United States . The MPA is a two-year professional degree. All MPA students complete a common set of six core courses in public management and policy. A minimum of 42 credit hours, which includes either an internship or thesis, and a final oral examination, are required for the MPA. The program is designed in such a way that full-time students who enter in the fall semester can receive their degree in two years or five semesters. The MPA faculty brings a variety of perspectives to the program and endeavors to share the latest scholarship and the most pressing issues with students through courses and projects. The faculty encourages MPA students to think critically and creatively in addressing public concerns and problems. Case studies and practical exercises provide students opportunities to apply and revise knowledge developed by others. The small size of the program encourages close interaction among MPA students and between faculty and students. The MPA program also offers joint degrees with the Department of Criminal Justice and the Department of History. For more information on those joint degree programs, see the links below. Prospective students are encouraged to review the program requirements in the NMSU Graduate Catalog. For additional information, contact the MPA Director, Dr. Christina A. Medina, at 575-646-4935 or [email protected] .

• MPA Living Mission Statement
• MPA Admissions
• MPA Degree Requirements
• MPA Costs & Financial Aid Availability
• MPA Joint Degree Programs
• MPA Advising Form
• MPA Internship Guidelines
• MPA Examination Process
• MPA Handbook (Revised September 29, 2023)
• Graduate Minor in Public Administration
• 2022 MPA Program Learning Outcome s
• Government Department Graduate Catalog
• Suggested Plan of Study (Full-Time Students)

MPA Application Deadlines:

March 1st for Fall admission October 1st for Spring admission *** Applications submitted after Priority Deadline are not guaranteed review for assistantships.

MPA Graduation Rates

The following data indicate the cohort’s initial enrollment numbers of the current annual report year (ARY) for 2022-2023 – 5 years (students entering the MPA program in Summer 2017, Fall 2017, and/or Spring 2018) and the length of time it took to graduate. The NMSU MPA program defines its program length as 5 semesters or 2.5 years of full-time study (the completion of a minimum of 42 credit hours is required)

ARY-5 data indicate how those enrolled graduated within the program design length of 2 or 2.5 years, within 3 or 3.5 years, and 4 years of program design length. Note that the numbers in each successive column are cumulative, meaning that the number of students in the column for 4 years of degree length includes the numbers of students from the 3 or 3.5 years column, plus those that graduated within 3-4 years of program length. For example, if 15 students initially enrolled, 10 graduated in 2 years, 2 graduated in 3 years, and 1 graduated in 4 years, data would be reported as: 15; 10; 12; 13. NOT 15; 10; 2; 1.

MPA Graduation Rates for the 2017-2018 Matriculating Cohort

MPA Job Placement Statistics

Below are the job placement statistics (numbers) for students who completed the MPA program in 2021-2022.  These statistics reflect the numbers of students who were employed in the “profession” within six months of graduation by employment sector.

Employment Placement By Sector for the 2021-2022 MPA Graduating Class

National or central government in the same country as the program = 0

State, provincial or regional government in the same country as the program = 1

City, County, or other local government in the same country as the program = 1

Nonprofit domestic-oriented = 1

Obtaining further education = 1

Private Sector but not research/consulting = 1

Unemployed (not seeking employment) = 0

Unemployed (seeking employment) = 0

Summer 2023 MPA Internships 2023 (4)

New Mexico State University, College of Agriculture, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences

The City of Las Cruces

Community Options Inc., Las Cruces, a Local Nonprofit

Presbyterian Health

Apply to the Graduate School at https://gradadmissions.nmsu.edu/how-to-apply/

NMSU Department of Government

• 1525 Stewart Street Las Cruces, NM 88003-8001
• (575) 646-4935
• [email protected]

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Public Administration (M.P.A.)

M.p.a. public administration.

• Apply Today
• Review Admission Requirements

Program Overview

Public administration faculty have been recognized nationally for their contribution to outstanding teaching, research and service. The faculty lead practical research projects to inform public management and public policy in the region. The M.P.A. program is accredited by the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs and Administration (NASPAA).

Course Work

The master of public administration degree is a 39-hour program consisting of core courses and electives in areas such as: general public administration; local and state government management; urban policy and planning; environment, energy and sustainability; nonprofit sector leadership; human resources; and labor relations. A 3-hour public service internship is required for pre-service students who lack public sector experience. The M.P.A. program offers three pathways to graduation. Students can choose either the thesis option, comprehensive exam pathway or the applied research project as their culminating experience.

Graduate Catalog

Master's Level Courses in general public administration studies

Online Availability

Part of this program may be offered online.

Round Rock Campus

These programs can be completed in Round Rock or San Marcos.

What Our Alumni Say

"The program completely changed the trajectory of my career. In addition to forging valuable relationships and expanding my public administration knowledge base, I also developed in-demand research skills which increased my marketability."

— Denise Upshaw, M.P.A. Class of 2021

Program Details

Public administration program graduates are employed in administrative leadership positions in the public and nonprofit sectors. Many M.P.A. graduates have pursued doctoral education upon graduation.

Program Mission

A flexible program with courses delivered in multiple modalities designed for full-time and part-time students, the M.P.A. program offers:

• Individual attention - Students work on research under the direction of a faculty member. M.P.A. students have won national and regional research awards.
• Professional development - M.P.A. students and faculty are active leaders in regional professional associations and networking groups. Faculty of practice and a manager in residence help mentor students in the program.
• Internship opportunities - Pre-service students have internship placement opportunities in state and local government and the nonprofit sector. These internships are often paid and provide meaningful management and policymaking experience.
• Employment opportunities - Students have excellent opportunities for job placement in one of the nation's fastest-growing regions.

Career Options

M.P.A. graduates have successful careers in management positions in city, county, state and national government, as well as the private and nonprofit sectors. Their achievements reflect the diversity, challenges and opportunities in the public sector, and these alumni are a valuable resource to current M.P.A. students and faculty. The M.P.A. program director and the career support area faculty coordinators provide internship and job placement assistance.

Program Faculty

The program's faculty brings a wide range of perspectives, skills and experiences to the classroom. Some faculty members have significant experience in local, state or national government. The faculty consists of scholars whose accomplishments include books and journal articles published in top-tier journals in the field, government-funded research and sponsored projects, conference papers, technical reports and presentations. The program's faculty also encourage student research and publication in professional journals and student participation in professional development activities.

Contact  The Graduate College  for general questions about getting started with your application, funding your degree, and more. If you have program-specific questions after reviewing the program details, we encourage you to contact the following individuals.

Graduate Advisor Dr. Nandhini Rangarajan [email protected] 512.245.3285 Undergraduate Academic Center (UAC) , Room 355

Advisor Support Dodie Weidner [email protected] 512.245.7582 Undergraduate Academic Center (UAC) , Room 355

Apply Now Already know that Texas State is right for you?

• Start Your Application

Application Process

Review requirements, submit application, upload documents, check status, application deadlines.

This program's deadline is firm. This type of deadline means the application and other application requirements must be submitted by the program's specified deadline day.

Admission Requirements

The items required for admission consideration are listed below.  Additional information for applicants with international credentials can be found on our  international web pages .

Application

• Completed  online application

Review  important information  about the online application.

Application Fee

• $55 nonrefundable application fee OR
• $90 nonrefundable application fee for applications with international credentials

Review important information about application fees.

Transcripts & GPA

• baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited university (Non-U.S. degrees must be equivalent to a four-year U.S. Bachelor’s degree. In most cases, three-year degrees are not considered. Visit our International FAQs for more information.)
• a copy of an official transcript from each institution where course credit was granted
• minimum 3.0 GPA in your  last 60 hours  of undergraduate course work (plus any completed graduate courses)

If your GPA does not meet the minimum requirement, official GRE scores (general test only) are required. 

Effective Fall 2024

• a 3.0 overall GPA or a 3.0 GPA in your  last 60 hours  of undergraduate course work (plus any completed graduate courses)

Review important information about transcripts. Official transcripts, sent directly from your institution, will be required if admission is granted.

Test Scores

• GRE not required

Approved English Proficiency Exam Scores

Applicants are required to submit an approved English proficiency exam score that meets the minimum program requirements below unless they have earned a bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or the equivalent from a country on our  exempt countries list .

• official TOEFL iBT scores required with a 78 overall
• official PTE scores required with a 52 overall
• minimum individual module scores of 6.0
• official Duolingo Scores required with a 110 overall
• official TOEFL Essentials scores required with an 8.5 overall

Review important information about official test scores.

• your academic interests, your personal and professional experiences relevant for graduate work, your motivations and your accomplishments
• your potential as a graduate student and your readiness for graduate school
• your interest in the M.P.A. program at Texas State and why you would be a good fit
• your aspirations and the specific goals you plan to achieve by being part of this program
• Two letters of recommendation

Review important information about documents.

Work Experience

If you do not have public sector experience, you will be required to complete a three-hour internship course.

Additional Information

• Application Decisions
• International Applicants
• Reapplication Process

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•       Resources       Choosing Between a Thesis or Non-thesis Master's Degree

As of 2015, approximately 25.4 million Americans held advanced degrees , with more citizens joining these ranks each year. As studies continue to show the career advancement and salary benefits of completing a master's degree, more and more students elect to pursue advanced educations. When considering their options, many question whether to enroll in a master's requiring a thesis or not. The following guide examines some of the reasons degree seekers may want to write a thesis while also highlighting why they might not. Students on the fence about this important decision can find expert advice, actionable tips, and relevant guidance to help them make an informed choice in the guide that follows.

Understanding the Master's Thesis

What is the difference between a thesis & non-thesis master's program, the decision not to do a thesis.

As students research various master's programs in their chosen discipline, it's common to find that many degrees require a thesis – especially if they want to enter a research-heavy field. While this word gets thrown around a lot in academia, some learners may want more information regarding what it entails in order to make an informed decision.

What is a Master's Thesis?

The master's thesis is an original piece of scholarship allowing the student to dig into a topic and produce an expanded document that demonstrates how their knowledge has grown throughout the degree program. These documents require significant independent research of primary and secondary sources and, depending on the subject, may require interviews and/or surveys to support the overarching argument.

Individual schools and departments dictate the length of these documents, but they typically range between 60 and 100 pages – or approximately 20,000 to 40,000 words. While tackling a document of such heft may seem overwhelming at first, learners need not fret. Each master's candidate receives a faculty advisor early in their tenure to provide support, feedback, and guidance throughout the process. Because the final thesis is expected to be of a publishable quality, learners seeking the highest marks typically send their supervisor excerpts of the document as they write to ensure they are on the right track.

When picking a thesis topic, no magical formula exists. Students should consider their interests and read extensively on that topic to get a better sense of existing scholarship. They should also speak to other academics working in that sphere to familiarize themselves with ongoing projects. Only after they feel reasonably well-read should they begin looking for uncovered angles or interesting ways of using emerging methodologies to bring new light to the topic.

When considering formatting, degree seekers should check with their specific schools and departments, as they may have unique requirements. To get a general understanding of what to expect, learners can review Simon Fraser University's guidelines on thesis formatting. After completing the thesis, some programs require an oral defense before a committee while others read the document and provide a grade. Check with your prospective schools to get a better sense of procedure.

Format & Components of a Master's Thesis

While this guide attempts to provide helpful and actionable information about the process of deciding whether to follow a thesis or non-thesis track in a master's program, readers should remember that specific components and requirements of a thesis vary according to discipline, university, and department. That being said, some commonalities exist across all these – especially when it comes to what students must include in their final drafts.

As the first section a reader encounters after moving through the table of contents and other anterior text, the introductory allows the writer to firmly establish what they want to accomplish. Sometimes also called the "research question" section, the introductory must clearly state the goals of the paper and the overarching hypothesis guiding the argument. This should be written in a professional yet accessible tone that allows individuals without specializations in the field to understand the text.

This section allows learners to demonstrate their deep knowledge of the field by providing context to existing texts within their chosen discipline Learners review the main bodies of work, highlighting any issues they find within each. Constructive criticism often centers around shortcomings, blind spots, or outdated hypotheses.

Students use this section to explain how they went about their work. While scientists may point to a specific method used to reach conclusions, historians may reference the use of an emerging framework for understanding history to bring new light to a topic. The point of this section is to demonstrate the thought processes that led to your findings.

This section allows for learners to show what they learned during the research process in a non-biased way. Students should simply state what information they gathered by utilizing a specific framework or methodology and arrange those findings, without interpretation, in an easy-to-read fashion.

After providing readers with all the necessary information, the discussion section exists for candidates to interpret the raw data and demonstrate how their research led to a new understanding or contributed a unique perspective to the field. This section should directly connect to the introduction by reinforcing the hypothesis and showing how you answered the questions posed.

Even though the previous sections give prospective degree seekers a better sense of what to expect if they decide to write a thesis during their master's program, they don't necessarily help learners decide whether to pursue a thesis or non-thesis track. The following section highlights some of the reasons students frequently choose to complete a thesis or bypass the process altogether by providing a pros and cons list.

Why a Thesis Program

• Especially when entering a research-heavy discipline, completing a thesis shows prospective schools and employers that you possess the skills needed for researching and writing long-form reports.
• Students hoping to pursue a Ph.D. stand in better stead with admissions panels if they wrote a thesis during a master's program.
• Individuals hoping to enter a field that values syntax and grammar often better their writing skills by completing a thesis.
• Students who write a thesis can submit the final product to various academic journals, increasing their chances of getting published.
• Theses expand students' understanding of what they're capable of, deepen their ability to carry out an argument, and develop their skills in making connections between ideas.

Why a Non-thesis Program

• Because they don't require a significant written product, non-thesis master's tend to take less time to complete.
• Often mirrors a bachelor's program in terms of structure, allowing learners to complete classes and take exams without a great deal of research or writing.
• Students who excel in project-based assignments can continue building skills in this arena rather than focusing on skills they don't plan to use (e.g. research)
• Provides learners the opportunity to work more closely and more frequently with faculty on real-world projects since they don't spend hundreds of hours researching/writing.
• Allows learners to take more classes and gain hands-on skills to fill the time they would have spent researching and writing a thesis.

How to Choose a Master's Program: FAQs

Within some academic disciplines and professional fields, research and writing plays a key role in work done on a daily basis. Because of this, master's programs in these fields require learners to complete theses to compete against peers and be seen as competent in their work. Other disciplines, conversely, rely on other tools to accomplish work and progress ideas – making theses less important.

Yes. Master's programs focused more on application than research typically don't require a thesis – although they may still give students the option. Examples of common non-thesis master's programs include nursing, business, and education.

Even though non-thesis students won't be writing a 100-page paper, that doesn't mean they avoid completing a significant project. In place of a thesis, most applied master's programs require students to take part in at least one internship or complete a culminating project. These projects typically ask learners to take what they learned throughout coursework and create an expansive final project – examples include case studies, creative works, or portfolios.

While students who followed a non-thesis path routinely receive acceptance to Ph.D. programs, those with theses often find the process easier. Even if a learner pursues a Ph.D. in a discipline that isn't research-heavy, admissions panels still want to get a sense of your academic interests and ability to engage in independent, nuanced thought. Students with theses can provide solid proof of these skills, while those without may struggle to demonstrate preparedness as thoroughly.

The answer to this question depends on many factors, but typically it is okay not to do a thesis if you plan to enter a field that doesn't depend heavily on research or writing, or if you don't plan to complete a Ph.D.

Students wanting to work in academic, research, or writing should always opt for the thesis track. They should also follow this path if they have any doctoral degree aspirations.

Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to complete a thesis rests with the individual student. Figuring out how to proceed on this front requires lots of careful consideration, and learners should ensure they consider various aspects before coming to a final decision. The following section helps students consider how they should and should not come to a conclusion.

Dos and Don'ts of Choosing a Thesis or Non-thesis Program

• Consider the longevity of your decision: will you feel the same in 5-10 years or are you making a decision based on current desires?
• Talk to others who with experience in this area. Ask them questions about their decision-making process and if they regret their choice.
• Research potential thesis topics before starting a program. Going in with a game plan can help you feel more confident and settled about the process than if you're scrambling for a topic while in school.
• Reach out to prospective schools to speak with faculty and/or current students following both tracks. This will provide knowledge specific to the school while also expanding your network if you choose to attend there.
• Research Ph.D. entrance requirements to ascertain if the majority expect learners to possess a thesis when applying. This will give you a sense of whether you may experience issues later on if you do not complete one.
• Decide not to complete a thesis simply because you have never taken on such a task and feel overwhelmed or fearful that you will fail.
• Complete a thesis simply because you think it will look good on your resume. Theses require intense devotion over an extended amount of time; learners who complete them without conviction often find the process miserable.
• Forget to research alternatives to writing a thesis. Just because you don't complete a research paper doesn't mean a non-thesis track lacks rigor or challenging coursework.
• Forget to read examples of theses by previous students. If you feel overwhelmed by the task, reading work other people have done can often make the task at hand feel less scary.
• Let yourself off easy by taking the non-thesis path. If you find you have extra time in the program, talk to your advisor about taking more classes, develop meaningful projects for yourself, or see about presenting at an academic conference.

From the Expert

Sudiksha Joshi, Ph.D. is a learning advocate. Her mission is to empower our youth to think bigger, bolder thoughts and forge a career path that will change the world. She taps into her natural curiosity and ability to identify strengths to help students and those in transition find their path from feeling lost in the traditional ways of achieving success to charting their own path. Her work has been featured in Forbes, Huffington Post, Thrive Global, Medium and LinkedIn.

Why might a student decide to follow a thesis track? Why might they follow a non-thesis track?

A student might decide to take a thesis track if she/he wants to pursue a Ph.D. Also, if the students want to focus on careers where research and writing have a strong focus, the students opt for the thesis option. Research assistantships at the graduate level are also more often available to students who opt for the thesis option.

A student who might feel that writing is not one of their strengths might choose to go the non-thesis track. Likewise, a student who has other work commitments may find a non-thesis option more convenient.

Do you have any tips for deciding on a program?

I chose a thesis option because being able to conduct independent research was a big reason to go to graduate school. Also, showing the ability that I could do research was what afforded me research assistantships which meant that my tuition was paid for and I got a stipend that paid for expenses while I was in graduate school. This also allowed me the opportunity to work closely with the faculty mentor that provided me with the support and the accountability I wanted.

I would not recommend taking a non-thesis option if all the degree requires is for you to take courses. You have little to show in terms of your learning other than your grades unless you are already working on something on the side that does that for you and all you need is a certificate.

Opt for a non-thesis option if you can still work closely with a professor or on a project and if you'd rather be involved in multiple projects rather than focus on a single project. If you already have a good (informed) reason for choosing one over the other, go for it.

What's the most important thing to consider when choosing a program?

The most important thing to consider when choosing a program is getting excited about the projects that at least one of the faculty members are involved in. Do some research and see why you are excited about a particular work that at least one of the faculty members have been involved in.

Who should students talk to when considering options?

Students should talk to other students and also reach out directly to the graduate coordinator and even individual faculty members. This means that students should have done prior homework and have some good questions ready. Asking good questions will get you at least halfway through to make the right decision.

Master of Public Administration and Nonprofit Management

About the mpa.

 Our MPA offers three specialized tracks - 

• public administration, 
• nonprofit management, and 
• international public management .  

It has long been recognized that public and nonprofit managers need specialized training in public administration. This is particularly true in Western New York, where the State of New York is the region's largest single employer and where a sizable voluntary and nonprofit sector exists.

With 11 full-time faculty and three full-time faculty from other departments who offer courses in the MPA program, MPA students can be assured that Buffalo State's MPA is a generously staffed graduate program with faculty on-site during daytime and evening hours available to work with our students. The majority of our MPA classes are taught by full-time faculty. Our cadre of adjunct professors are experienced practitioners with advanced degrees who each teach courses in their area of practice. 

For information about the MPA program, please contact Dr. Laurie Buonanno , Dr. Suparna Soni , or Dr. Patrick McGovern . 

Course Delivery

Class sizes are small, averaging ten students.

The MPA is offered weekends, online, and evenings to accommodate the schedules of working professionals. No weekday classes begin prior to 4:30 p.m. Saturday classes are scheduled in the morning. Summer and J-Term courses are offered online.

MPA classes are supported by SUNY Buffalo State's Learning Management System (Brightspace), with most of our classes offered as "hybrid" (some classroom time replaced with online activities such as discussion boards and quizzes). The availability of hybrid classes enables students to enroll in two classes per evening.

Program Tracks and Requirements

Culminating Experiences

The MPA program includes a capstone experience (MPA project or MPA thesis). In PAD 690, Master's Project, students conduct their own applied research over the course of one semester and defend their paper to an audience of faculty and MPA students. This course is typically taught on Wednesday evenings. 

In PAD 695, Master's Thesis, students work under the supervision of a full-time member of faculty for two semesters - the first being intensive background research (literature review) and development of the research design and methodology (independent study taken as a track elective) - followed by data collection and analysis in the second semester.

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Admission Requirements

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (4.0 scale), or a master’s degree from an accredited institution with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (4.0 scale).   
• Applicants who hold a bachelor's degree, but do not meet either of the above criteria may be considered for admission upon a successful interview with the academic intake coordinator or if they attain a minimum quantitative and verbal score of 152 on the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) or complete 6 credit hours of 500-level PAD courses (courses must be pre-approved by the academic intake coordinator) at SUNY Buffalo State as an accepted MPA pre-major student with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5.  
• Two letters of reference on the MPA admission form that attest to the applicant's academic performance or potential. Please note that at least one reference must be from a college professor or instructor.  For those individuals who graduated from college more than five years ago (2012 or earlier) and can ask colleagues, supervisors, and individuals with whom they work with on community or nonprofit endeavors (boards, etc.) to write on their behalf.  The public administration admissions committee particularly seeks answers to the following questions: 1.  How long, and in what  capacity have you known the applicant?  2.  Does the applicant have any special talents, abilities, or attributes that deserve mention?  3.  Do you have any concerns about this applicant that would impede success in graduate studies?   
• A letter of intent should describe:  why the applicant wishes to pursue the MPA; how the applicant's academic training and job experience, if applicable, are linked; why the applicant is prepared for study in the MPA program; a list of the applicant's educational objectives; background in statistics and/or methodology, if any; interest and future career goals; and, the choice of track (nonprofit or public administration) in which to concentrate.  The letter of intent will be evaluated as a writing sample according to organization conventions of language and content. With respect to experience in statistics and research methods, the MPA Admission Committee has been receiving a number of queries regarding their statistics/research methods background.  A wide variety of majors are represented in the MPA program, many from the arts and humanities without either coursework or job experience in either of these fields.  We ask students to explain their experience in their letter of intent to assist us in tailoring our PAD 680 Research Methods in Public Administration to the incoming class in fall and spring (PAD 680 is offered both semesters).    
• Please indicate in the Letter of Intent if you are applying to the 17-month Cohort MPA Program.  
• Applicants for whom English is a second language must submit a score of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) as documentation of English language proficiency. Applicants with a minimum TOEFL score of 550 or higher on the paper exam or 79 on the Internet exam, or with an IELTS score of 6.0 or higher will be considered for admission. Contact SUNY Buffalo State's Graduate School for information about these testing systems.  
• English as a Second Language Program International students who do not meet the required English language requirement can be admitted to the Buffalo State's Intensive English Language Institute (IELI). Buffalo State’s  English as a Second Language Program  (ESLP). Intensive English Language Institute students must complete required coursework in the English as a Second Language (ESL) program and take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) as documentation of English language proficiency. The ESL program is a non-degree, non-credit bearing program designed to help students with varying levels of English proficiency through coursework, interaction with native speakers of English, and individualized language practice. The program consists of six levels of English language study. Each level consists of 20 hours of class time per week, plus an additional 3 hours of small conversation group practice. Students who wish to pursue this course of action must first submit a completed graduate admission application and have their application materials reviewed by an academic department. After careful review of the students’ academic qualifications and their ability to succeed academically, the student is granted conditional acceptance into the Graduate School and admission into the IELTS. Students must notify the Graduate School within 30 days of their acceptance whether they will pursue the ESL program option. Upon successful completion of these requirements, students may then enroll as a full-time student in their program of study. For more information and to apply to the Intensive English Language Institute IELI, visit  https://international.buffalostate.edu/english-second-language-esl .   
• In addition, all applicants should review the Admission to a Graduate Program section in the Graduate Catalog.

SUNY BUFFALO STATE UNDERGRADUATES - PLEASE NOTE  - students who have earned a GPA of 3.0 or above in Buffalo State's Public Administration and Nonprofit Minor are guaranteed admission into the MPA program.  Student satisfying this requirement must: 1) fill out the Graduate School Application, 2) pay the application fee, and 3) follow instructions for official transcripts.  Reference letters and the letter of intent are waived. PLEASE NOTE IF A BUFFALO STATE STUDENT IS ADMITTED TO THE 4 + 1 PROGRAM, the application fee is waived.

The SUNY Buffalo State Public Administration and Nonprofit Management MPA Program prepares a diverse body of pre-service and in-service professionals for positions of leadership in local, national, and international public service.  The program cultivates values of accountability, ethics, and social equity through learning, service projects, and research.  The program contributes to the body of knowledge and advances the quality of governance.

NASPAA Member

SUNY Buffalo State's MPA Program is a Member of the  Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs and Administration (NASPAA) . NASPAA is the global standard in public service education.  It is the membership organization of graduate education programs in public policy, public affairs, public administration, and public & nonprofit management. Its nearly 300 members - located across the U.S. and in 14 countries around the globe - award MPA, MPP, MPAff, and similar degrees. 

Despite being a relatively new MPA program (approved by SUNY and the NYS Education Department in June 2011), U.S. News and World Report ranked SUNY Buffalo State in the top 50% (tied with several programs for #135) of the 282 graduate programs in public affairs offered at US college and universities for 2018-2019.  

Advisory Board

The MPA Advisory board comprises a cross-section of professionals and full-time faculty with experience in the public and nonprofit sectors. The board is responsible for the articulation of the MPA's mission and informs the development of the curriculum over time. 

Dr. Jonathan Chausovsky 

Associate Professor & Public Administration Faculty Advisor, SUNY Fredonia, Department of Political Science and International Affairs 

Alex Desha  

Portfolio Management Specialist, Office of Public Housing U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development  

Allison DeHonney  

Executive Director Buffalo Go Green Inc./Urban Fruits & Veggies LLC 

Kelly Dodd (MPA Student Representative) 

Chief Operating Officer of 211 NY Inc. and Vice President of the United Way of New York State 

Research Analyst, Erie County Senior Services

Heather LaForme  

Director of Native American Services, NYS Office of Children and Family Services 

Nicholas Melson  

Manager of Special Projects for the Western Division, New York State Canal Corporation 

Oswaldo Mestre Jr. Chief Service Officer & Director of Citizen Services, City of Buffalo 

Antonio Regulier  

Deputy Director & Chief Financial Officer, Buffalo and Erie County Public Library 

Jordan Then  

Mid-Atlantic Area Manager, Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Customs and Border Protection

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Public Administration - Master of Public Administration

The MPA program is accredited by NASPAA. The MPA is designed to provide students with the managerial and analytical skills, in addition to ethical and professional values, necessary to meet the increased demand for skilled public administrators. Candidates who follow this professional program must complete a minimum of 42 credits, consisting of core courses, electives and either an internship or a thesis.

Requirements

Because students have divergent career goals, a thesis or internship option is offered. The thesis option requires an additional 18 credits of course work, 6 credits of thesis ( POLS 599 Master's Thesis ), and a written examination covering the thesis and course work. The internship option also requires an additional 18 credits of course work, 3 credits of internship ( POLS 510 Internship ), and a written examination covering the internship and course work. Students who fail their written examination must take an oral exam. As part of the course work, students selecting the internship option must take POLS 519 Proseminar in Public Administration  (3 credits that count toward the 42 total) during the latter part of their studies, and are required to earn a B- grade or higher in that course.

With approval, students may include up to 12 credits of relevant course work from other departments to be counted toward the total credits required for the MPA. These credits may be selected to form a graduate minor in another academic discipline.

Candidates with inadequate preparation for graduate study in public administration may be required to take appropriate undergraduate and graduate courses as part of, or in addition to, a regular program of study. Applicants to the MPA program will be advised of any such requirements at the time of admission.

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Graduate Programs

The National College of Public Administration & Governance (NCPAG) of the University of the Philippines Diliman offers the Master of Public Administration (MPA) with thesis and non-thesis options and the Doctor of Public Administration (DPA) programs. For more information on admission and curricula, please click here .

Master of Public Administration (MPA)

Three plans are offered under the MPA program:

Plan A is designed to provide researchers, teachers, and prospective college instructors with the knowledge and research skills in public administration. Students are required to prepare and defend a thesis.

Plan B aims to provide students with the theoretical background and technical skills needed for the effective implementation of public policy in a developing country. Students under Plan B may choose from the following fields of specialization: public policy and program administration, organization studies, fiscal administration, local government and regional development, voluntary sector management, public enterprise management, and spatial information management.

Plan C , or the mid-career MPA program, is specially designed for public servants who have at least five years of managerial work experience and who desire to accelerate their professional growth through a program of graduate study. This program aims to broaden the knowledge of mid-career public administrators about theories and techniques of public management, and to give them the opportunity to interact with other administrators in the university setting. Students under Plan C take 30 units. In lieu of the thesis, an oral defense of two outstanding papers is required.

Doctor of Public Administration (DPA)

Graduate degree holders in public administration and/or management and other social sciences may apply for admission to the doctoral program. Applicant’s credentials are evaluated by the DPA Admissions Committee. Applicants go through an interview.

DPA students must take a Qualifying Examination after passing 12 units of formal coursework. The examination covers the general field of the theory and practice of public administration and governance and the role of the public administrator in national development. To pass this examination, students are required a grade of 1.75 or better. An average of 1.25 in the first 12 units exempts students from having to take the qualifying examination.

Failure to take the examination due to the students’ inability to remove grades of “INC” shall bar students from further enrolment in the program.

DPA students may continue taking courses in the doctoral program after passing the qualifying examination. The total number of units required to complete the degree depends on the background of students. However, students are required to take 12 (or 15) units of PA and national development courses, 6 units of History/Theory, 6 (or 3) units of advanced courses in methodology, and 6 units of cognates.

Students may apply for the comprehensive examination after completion of all formal course requirements. After passing the comprehensives, students may enroll in the doctoral dissertation course (PA 400) under the guidance of a faculty adviser.Upon presentation of the doctoral dissertation to the Dean of the College, and together with the favorable recommendation of the adviser and the critic, students shall take a final oral examination on their dissertation and the entire field of public administration.

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36 Credit hours

Master of Public Administration

The Master of Public Administration (MPA) at the University of Southern Indiana is the preferred graduate degree for individuals who hold or hope to acquire a supervisory position in the public or nonprofit sector. Individuals interested in these sectors pursue the MPA in order to improve their management-related job skills and performance, obtain leadership positions within their current organizations, or begin their career in a public or nonprofit organization. Some students choose to pursue the MPA to strengthen their academic credentials and knowledge of the public sector to prepare for law school or doctoral level work.     

Mission Statement : The Master of Public Administration program at the University of Southern Indiana strives to meet the needs of current and future civic leaders and managers by providing students with the practical knowledge and professional and academic skills, rooted in a strong understanding of the theories of public administration, to become ethical, creative, and inspirational leaders in the public and nonprofit sectors. Our graduates are prepared to meet the economic, social, and political challenges that face leading public sector institutions and nonprofit organizations.

Vision Statement :  Preparing civic leaders to meet society’s challenges in the 21st century.

Goals of the MPA program  

• Articulate the theoretical and institutional foundations of the public and nonprofit sectors, and how these sectors are shaped by their economic, social, and political environments.
• Demonstrate the practical skills necessary for the management of public and nonprofit organizations, such as grant writing, budgeting, public speaking, human resources management, organizational behavior, electronic communication, and report writing.
• Gather and analyze data to advance the knowledge and practice of public administration and public policy.

Graduate Studies Admission Criteria and Application Process

Refer to the Admission    section of the bulletin for information about Graduate Studies admission criteria and the online application process.

MPA Program Admission Requirements and Curriculum

Students admitted into the Master of Public Administration program at the University of Southern Indiana must complete the following admission requirements:

• A curriculum vitae (CV)
• A 200-500 word statement of professional interest or goals
• The name and contact number of a professional reference
• Applicants must have earned bachelor’s degree with minimum GPA of 3.0 for regular admission; applicants with GPA lower than 3.0 considered for conditional admission

Conditional Admission

Students who meet all other admission requirements but have a GPA below 3.0 may seek conditional admission to the MPA. Conditionally admitted students may only take two graduate courses (six credit hours). If a grade of B or better is earned in each USI graduate course taken while the student is classified as a conditionally admitted student, the student will be unconditionally admitted to the program.

Non-Degree Seeking Student

An individual may enroll in PA courses as a non-degree seeking student. A non-degree seeking student may take up to two graduate courses (6 credit hours) without being formally admitted to the MPA program. If a non-degree seeking student is subsequently admitted to the MPA program, public administration courses successfully completed will count toward the degree requirements.

Admission to Graduate Studies as a non-degree seeking student does not guarantee enrollment in PA courses. Non-degree seeking students may enroll in PA courses only when enrollment caps have not been met and when students formally admitted (or expected to be formally admitted) to the MPA program have had an opportunity to enroll.

The MPA program consists of 36 credit hours. Students are required to complete an MPA Core of eight courses (24 hours), and either A) a capstone seminar (3 hours) plus 9 hours of electives, or B) a thesis project (6 hours) plus 6 hours of electives. Elective courses are chosen from one of two specializations: public sector administration or nonprofit administration . MPA courses are offered using three formats: in the classroom once-a-week in the evenings and on Saturday mornings; a distance/hybrid course that meets several times during the semester, while the rest of the sessions are online; and a purely distance course with no class sessions and all course content is online. Courses are offered each fall and spring semester and during the summer in four, five, nine, 10, or 14-week sessions. Students who take two courses during the fall, spring and summer can complete their MPA degree in two calendar years.

MPA Core (24 hours)

• PA 601 - Organizational Behavior Credits: 3
• PA 606 - Public and Nonprofit Personnel Administration Credits: 3
• PA 609 - Budgeting in Public and Nonprofit Administration Credits: 3
• PA 616 - Research Methods in Public Administration Credits: 3
• PA 617 - Statistics in Public Administration Credits: 3
• PA 632 - Introduction to Public Administration Credits: 3
• PA 644 - Policies and Processes in the Public Sector Credits: 3
• PA 645 - Program Evaluation in the Public and Nonprofit Sector Credits: 3

MPA Capstone Seminar (3 hours) or Thesis Project (6 hours)

Students selecting the Capstone option complete the Capstone course plus 9 hours of electives.

• PA 697 - Capstone Seminar in Public Administration Credits: 3

Students selecting the Thesis option complete the Thesis course plus 6 hours of electives.

• PA 699 - Thesis in Public Administration Credits: 6

Refer to the MPA Capstone/Thesis section below for more information about selecting either the Capstone Seminar option or Thesis Project option.

MPA Public Sector Administration electives (9 or 6 hours)

All students in the public sector administration specialization are required to take the following course:

• PA 615 - Legal Aspects of Public Administration Credits: 3

Additional electives

Students completing the capstone option must select an additional 6 hours of electives from the following list: Students completing the thesis option must select an additional 3 hours of electives from the following list:  

• COMM 602 - Qualitative Research Methods in Communication Credits: 3
• COMM 613 - Political Communication Credits: 3
• COMM 614 - Problematic Workplace Communication Credits: 3
• COMM 621 - Strategic Communication Credits: 3
• PA 527 - Urban Politics and Governance Credits: 3
• PA 564 - Environmental Politics and Policy Credits: 3
• PA 565 - Comparative Public Policy Credits: 3
• PA 603 - Technology Issues and e-Governance Credits: 3
• PA 611 - Leadership Skills in Public Administration Credits: 3
• PA 612 - Connect with Southern Indiana Credits: 3
• PA 614 - Interpersonal Communications within Organizations Credits: 3
• PA 653 - Ethics in Public Administration Credits: 3
• PA 655 - Project Management in Public Administration Credits: 3
• PA 663 - Strategic Planning Credits: 3
• PA 684 - Grant Writing Credits: 3
• PA 689 - Independent Study in Public Administration Credits: 3
• PA 690 - Special Topics in Public Administration Credits: 3
• PA 695 - Internship in Public Agency Credits: 3

PLA-Portfolio Review Credit

The Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) policy allows for the granting of credit for previous experiential learning through a portfolio review. Approved hours are awarded as elective credit and are not tied to specific course numbers.

The Master of Public Administration program is approved to award eligible students up to 9 hours in portfolio review credit, which can be applied toward the directed elective requirement. The student must submit a PLA portfolio after acceptance to the graduate program and prior to earning six (6) graduate credit hours at USI. Faculty with expertise in the topic will review the portfolio, and PLA credit requires approval from the program director and Director of Graduate Studies. Visit www.usi.edu/registrar/transfer-credit/prior-learning-assessment for more information.

MPA Capstone/Thesis

Note: Students who decide to complete a thesis project and enroll in PA 699 - Thesis in Public Administration    are exempt from taking PA 697 - Capstone Seminar in Public Administration   .

All MPA students will be required to complete a capstone seminar (with the exception of students doing a thesis project), which is centered on a specific issue, problem, or topic in the field of public administration. Students in the seminar will be required to complete a capstone project, which is based on assessing a student’s ability to relate theoretical knowledge and skills to solving a practical applied problem in the field of public administration. Students will work collaboratively to present a question to a problem, collect and analyze data, present their findings and results, and propose possible solutions. 

Students will have an opportunity to enroll and complete a thesis project ( PA 699 - Thesis in Public Administration   ). The thesis course is designed to allow students an opportunity to conduct original academic research in an area of public administration. PA 699 is a variable credit class that is offered as a three or six credit hour course. PA 699 is repeatable up to six credit hours and will be graded on a Pass/No Pass (P/NP) basis. Students who have not completed the thesis course during the semester in which they are registered will be assigned an “in progress” (IP) grade. An IP grade means a student cannot receive credit for the thesis course without re-registering in the course. In order to receive credit for the thesis, the student must successfully complete a written paper and defend the thesis project in an oral defense. Students will be required to choose an advisor whose research interests closely align with theirs, who is a full-time member of the MPA faculty, and with whom they have completed at least one course in the MPA program. A student must also select two committee members for their thesis committee for a total of three thesis committee members. These committee members must be full-time tenure-track or tenured faculty members of the graduate faculty. 

In addition to the thesis course, students can enroll in PA 689 - Independent Study in Public Administration   , where students can conduct independent research on an issue in the field of public administration under the supervision of a member of the MPA faculty. Students can also enroll in PA 690 - Special Topics in Public Administration   , a course that deals with a special topic in the field of public administration offered through the Master of Public Administration program. Some of the potential topics may include Facilitation and Mediation, Government Reorganization, Housing and Community Development, Historic Preservation, Disaster Management, and Arts and Heritage Management courses.

Master of Public Administration (MPA): Public Sector Management and Leadership (on-campus) - Curriculum (Prior to Fall 2024)

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Master of Public Administration

Public sector management and leadership, curriculum (prior to fall 2024).

• Master of Public Administration (MPA)
• Public Sector Management and Leadership Option Overview
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• 2 yr program

The MPA curriculum is designed to develop leadership and educate students in public administration principles such as executive problem solving, human capital management and policy analysis. The program is also designed to fit the schedules of working students and their sponsoring agencies. All courses have an academic core but emphasize the application of critical skills to the leadership and managerial functions.

The Master of Public Administration degree is designed to prepare students for career service in national, state, or local government, in regional planning agencies, and in nonprofit or voluntary organizations.

Depending on their availability, courses required for the degree can be taken in any sequence and at the student's own pace. E.g., while the program typically takes from two to two-and-a-half years to complete, students can finish in less than two years if they choose to take more courses per semester.

Course List (12 courses, 36 units)

IMPORTANT: This course list applies only to students who were admitted into the Master of Public Administration (MPA program in Fall 2023 or prior. If you were admitted to the MPA program in Fall 2024 or after, PLEASE CLICK HERE  to find your course list. 

Required Courses

Core Courses (Six Required - 3.0 Units each)

• MPA 610: Seminar in Public Administration & Its Environment
• MPA 620: Research Methods for Public Administration
• MPA 630: Seminar in Organization Theory and Human Behavior
• MPA 642A: Ethics and Professionalism
• MPA 644: Public Budgeting and Financial Administration
• MPA 650: Seminar in Public Policy Process

Culminating Experience:

• MPA 697S: Comprehensive Examination
• MPA 698S: Graduate Project

Elective Courses

Following are options available within the MPA program. Not all are available at every location. These options may be taken as stand-alone graduate certificates or as part of the MPA program (the latter qualifies for financial aid; the former does not).

Students may select six of the twelve elective courses below. However, MPA 623A is a required elective.

• MPA 612A: Intergovernmental Relations
• MPA 622A: Policy Implementation and Program Evaluation
• MPA 623A: Seminar in Effective Public Sector Management
• MPA 623B: Approaches and Methods in Program Evaluation
• MPA 623D: Human Resources and the Basics of Competencies Measurement in Government
• MPA 632A: Organizational Leadership
• MPA 632B: Strategic Management
• MPA 632C: Communication in Public Organizations
• MPA 640: Public Policy Analysis
• MPA 642A: Ethics and Professionalism (an elective course for students admitted prior to Spring 2019)
• MPA 642B: Public Sector Labor Relations
• MPA 643: Public Human Resources Management

Course Highlights

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Master in Public Administration

Program description.

The Master of Public Administration (MPA) is a graduate degree program designed for professionals whose interest is to work for, engage in, and lead towards the development, promotion, and advancement of effective, efficient, and ethical practices in government and non-government organizations in public management, administration, and governance. The program is intended to provide an excellent foundation for both current and prospective public administrators. The program exposes students to theoretical and practical understanding and appreciation for the needs, concerns, issues, trends, and problems of contemporary public and non-government organizations involved in service delivery.

Vision 

Promoting a relevant and responsive graduate program that meets the needs and demands of effective, efficient, engaging, and technology-driven public and non-government organizations in public management, administration, and governance education.

Mission 

Produce responsible, committed, and progressive public administrators and managers who are proactive, innovative, creative, and transformational in managing the affairs of public and non-government organizations in particular, as well as in sharing and teaching the discipline of public management, administration, and governance in general. 

Objectives 

• Provide advanced training for professional careers in public service and administration
• Enhance political-administrative-technical and leadership skills in specialized areas of public administration, management, and governance
• Develop expertise in the utilization of analytical tools and techniques in research relevant to public administration

Foundation/Core Courses (12 units)

• MPA 621: Philosophy and Science of Public Administration
• MPA 622: Public Fiscal Administration
• MPA 623: Statistics Applied to Public Administration / MPA 633: Statistics in Public Administration
• RSH 630: Research Seminar 1

Major Courses (21 units)

• MPA 624: Human Resources Management in Public Administration
• MPA 625: Public Policy and Program Administration
• MPA 626: Government Accounting and Auditing
• MPA 627: Leadership and Organizational Change
• MPA 628: Local Government and Development Administration
• MPA 629: Global Trends and Issues in Public Administration
• RSH 631: Research Seminar 2

Cognate (3 units) 

MPA 614 Decision-making or any subject from allied field from MBA and MEM or upon program chair’s approval

Thesis Writing (6 units) 

RSH 640: Thesis Writing (After passing the Comprehensive Examination; Three-tiered oral defense)

Five (5) years (Upon passing the Comprehensive Examination may be extended for another 3 years)

General Provisions 

If the student has not taken undergraduate courses aligned in the field of public administration, he is required to take Pre-MPA units of qualifying courses to be determined by the Academic Program Chair or the Graduate Studies Secretary unless otherwise specified in the curriculum; 

The student may take more than the prescribed units listed in the curriculum to meet his career objective and professional needs; 

Cognate course/s may be chosen from among the courses offered which are outside the required subjects in the student’s curriculum; and

If the student has completed subjects substantially equivalent to the required courses in the curriculum, he may write the Dean for the accreditation of not more than 30% of the total curriculum units of the program.

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Home > DISSERTATIONS_THESES > MPA-Pace

Master in Public Administration Theses

Submissions from 2021 2021.

Implementing Housing First Initiatives and Programs for the Persistently Homeless Individuals and Families in Iredell County, North Carolina , Laketha Bobish

Effective Cognitive Learning Solutions for Special Education Students of NYC Public Schools in Underserved Communities Prepared for: Dr. Sheying Chen Pace University , Nicole N. Garvin

Submissions from 2015 2015

An Evaluation of the Effectiveness of the Use of Social Media by United Way of Westchester and Putnam , Dian Xi and Ziyun Gao

Submissions from 2014 2014

Incentivizing Employees Through Benefits and Recognition Programs at Pace University , Diana Dumitru

Complexity in National Policy Implementation: A Top-Down Look at the Failure of Healthcare.gov , Samuel Fandrich

The Impact of Patient Centered Medical Home on the Patient’s Experience , Courtne Flynn

Health Professionals’ Attitude Towards Substance Abusers : A Part of the Health Professionals’ Value and Belief System Which Prevails in Society , Ana Gotay

Correctional Education: Society Essential for Progressive Growth or a Detrimental Use of Taxpayers Money? , Danilo Guy

Pace University Athletics: Increasing Profitability and Performance , Jhanay Harris

Does Having a Major and Lucrative Sports Arena Improve a Neighborhood’s Economy & Quality of Life? , Natalie Hernandez

How Does Geriatric Care Management Affect Health Outcomes of Geriatric Patients in Hospitals , Elaina Tate

Law Enforcement and Training , Erika Tremblay

Roadmap to Recovery: A Strategic Plan for Westchester County Government to Increase Office Occupancy and Revitalize the I-287 Corridor , Britta Vander Linden

Investigating Stigma Among Public Administration Students , Cora Venson

Submissions from 2013 2013

Evaluation of the Marketing Strategies of the Case Management Society of America , Veronica Chepak

Wireless Cell Towers and Antennae: Municipal and Private Relationship , James M. Collins

The Persistence of Bullying at School and Public Policy Responses: What Ails? , Rajeet Guha

A Youth Revolt: Discerning the Impact of “One-and-Done” Rule On Major Collegiate Championship Teams at the Division I Level , Erik Harris

How Successful was Kickstarter in Raising Funds for Library for All? , Yeerang Jang

Submissions from 2010 2010

New York State and Mid-Hudson Valley Nonprofits: The Impacts of Late Contract Payments , Jodi Fernandes

Submissions from 2009 2009

Venture Philanthropy in 2009: Developments in the Field Since "Virtuous Capital" , Annika Many

Economic Development in Downtown Ossining Since 1969 , Lutonya Russell-Humes

How an Ethnic Store Impacts a Community - The Case of Kam Sen Foods in White Plains , Tiantian Tang

Submissions from 2008 2008

The Relationship of Patient Falls to Prevention Policies in Hospitals: A Case Study , Cornelia Branzan

Artificial Transitive Fatty Acid (TFA) Ban in Restaurants in US Cities: NYC-DOH TFA Ban as a Model for Proactive Public Health Policy , Vidia S. Ramdeen

Health Insurance Policy in New York City and Westchester County , Colin Stone

Environmental Stewardship of the Vermont Ski Industry and the Public's Willingness to Support , Karina V. Warshaw

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Master in Public Administration (Non-Thesis)

The Master in Public Administration (MPA) is an advanced graduate program tailored for individuals aspiring to lead and manage within the public sector. This program is designed to cultivate the skills and knowledge necessary for effective public service administration, policy analysis, and governance. Participants in the MPA program engage in a comprehensive curriculum that explores topics such as public policy development, organizational management, and ethical decision-making. Graduates emerge prepared to address complex challenges in public administration, making impactful contributions to the development and improvement of public policies and services.

Program Educational Objectives

Not Available

1st Year • 1st Semester

1st year • 2nd semester, 2nd year • 1st semester, 2nd year • 2nd semester, senior level:.

• Director of Public Policy: Lead the development and execution of organizational policies. Provide strategic direction on policy initiatives.
• Chief Administrative Officer: Oversee administrative functions within an organization. Ensure efficient operations and compliance with policies.
• Deputy Director of a Government Agency: Assist in leading and managing a government agency. Support the implementation of agency goals and policies.
• City/County Administrator: Manage the overall administration of a city or county. Work closely with elected officials to implement policies.
• Senior Program Officer (Nonprofit/Government): Lead and oversee program development and implementation. Manage program staff and evaluate program effectiveness.

Managerial/Executive Level:

• City/County Executive (Manager): Serve as the top executive in a city or county government. Provide overall leadership and strategic direction.
• Executive Director of a Nonprofit Organization: Oversee the operations and strategic initiatives of a nonprofit. Ensure alignment with the organization's mission and goals.
• Chief Operating Officer (COO) of a Government Agency: Provide overall leadership for the operational functions of a government agency. Work with executive leadership to implement organizational strategies.
• Chief Policy Officer: Develop and oversee the implementation of organizational policies. Provide guidance on policy issues and strategic initiatives.
• City/County Mayor: Serve as the elected leader of a city or county. Set policies, represent the community, and provide overall direction.

Manuel S. Enverga University Foundation - Lucena City Lucena

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What is the Difference between Public Administration and Public Policy?

There are many reasons to choose to pursue a career in the public sector rather than in the business world. Often, people are drawn to public or nonprofit careers because doing so gives them an opportunity to do good and enact change for the better.

A public administration degree prepares students for management, whereas a public policy degree prepares students interested in analyzing policies and suggesting improvements. 1

Here are four major differences between a master’s of public policy (MPP) and a master’s of public administration (MPA):

Public Policy vs. Public Administration 2

Tight Focus vs. Broad Focus

An MPP is focused on one thing: policy. You’ll study all aspects of policy, from infrastructure to public opinion. It is a highly specialized degree that is almost exclusively relevant to a particular area.

On the other hand, an MPA degree can give you a broad range of skills and knowledge to help no matter which direction you want. If you’re interested in leadership and administration roles in the public sector, or you anticipate that you might want to leave the public sector at some point, an MPA degree may be a better choice for you.

Policy Research and Evaluation vs. Management and Implementation

The work done by public policy professionals informs the work done by public administrators, but the two career paths differ in that one works to create policy while the other works to implement it.

If you’re drawn to law and statistics and you are interested in developing public policy, consider an MPP. If you are instead more interested in business, management, and related skills, but you’d prefer to work in the public sector rather than private, an MPA might be a better fit.

Quantitative vs. Qualitative

Students in MPP programs gather and analyze data that they use for detailed problem-solving, making it a better fit for analytical-minded individuals. On the other hand, MPA students tend to graduate into jobs that require a great deal of human interaction, so it’s best to have good people skills if you intend to follow this career path.

Professional Experience Optional vs. Required

An MPA degree builds on your existing professional background and can be applied to a variety of different professional roles, so it typically requires that you already have some experience in public administration. It expands on what you already know and builds on it to make you a more effective leader. If public policy appeals to you, and you think you have the right strengths and interests to be a good fit for it, you will probably be successful in an MPP program, even if your undergraduate degree and professional experience are not tied to public policy in any way.

Kent State University’s Online Master of Public Administration (MPA)

Kent State’s Online Master of Public Administration (MPA) is one of only a select number of online MPA programs in the United States that is accredited by the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA). Our program is designed for busy working professionals who want to gain the knowledge, skills, and credibility necessary to advance a career in the public sector. Using learning techniques that help you apply what you learn in real-time, this program positions you for senior management positions in local, state, and regional governments, as well as in nonprofit organizations.

For more information on Kent State’s Online Master of Public Administration (MPA), visit https://onlinedegrees.kent.edu/political-science/master-of-public-administration/ .

Not interested in a Master’s Degree? Try Kent State’s Online Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Management

Kent State’s Online Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Management combines the quality and flexibility of our MPA degree with the agility of a short-term, targeted professional skills-development program. In as few as 12 months, you can gain enhanced knowledge of fundraising, development, advocacy, and board relations.

• Complete the Postbaccalaureate Certificate in as little as a year
• Three start dates: January, May, August
• No GRE requirement

For more information on Kent State’s Online Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Management, visit https://onlinedegrees.kent.edu/political-science/master-of-public-administration/certificate .

1 Retrieved on August 1, 2022, from https://www.usnews.com/education/best-graduate-schools/articles/how-to-decide-between-public-administration-public-policy-degrees#:~:text=%22The%20main%20distinction%20here%20is%20that%20a%20public,Public%20and%20Environmental%20Affairs%2C%20wrote%20in%20an%20email 2 Retrieved on August 1, 2022, from https://onlinedegrees.kent.edu/political-science/master-of-public-administration/community/public-policy-v-public-administration