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Public Administration (MPA)

Description

The Master of Public Administration (MPA) is a 39-credit program of graduate professional study for management and leadership in public service and is accredited by the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA).

Admission to the Program

Eligibility to apply to the MPA requires a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university and evidence of potential to succeed at graduate study. Applications are welcomed until three weeks prior to each semester, however individuals are encouraged to apply for admission to the MPA program as soon as possible as enrollment in classes often fills. (After these dates, applications are reviewed if time permits and seats are available.)

Application materials are available online. The application includes:

  1. A Statement of Objectives;
  2. Official transcripts of undergraduate and prior graduate work (except for transcripts from SUNY Brockport);
  3. One letter of recommendation from persons in a position to assess the applicant’s potential for significant academic or administrative achievements (e.g., professors, supervisors); and
  4. Résumé

Program Requirements

Students must meet the University’s standards for graduate study.

To receive the MPA, students must fulfill the following requirements within a seven-year period from the time of matriculation into the program. Extensions are rare, but may be requested under extenuating circumstances.

  1. Complete 39 graduate credits.
  2. Complete PAD 696 Portfolio or PAD 694 Internship Experience (these are graded Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory).
  3. The Department of Public Administration adheres to the College’s Academic Standing/Academic Probation Policy for Graduate Programs.

In order to attain the MPA degree students complete a total of 39 credits of course work (13 courses). Of these 39 credits, 24 credits are common core courses; 9 credits are required courses from the emphasis selected; and 6 credits are elective courses as shown below.

Common Core Courses (24 credits)

  • PAD 541 Foundations of Public Administration
  • PAD 640 Financial Management
  • PAD 663 Leadership Roundtable
  • PAD 680 Public Policy
  • PAD 682 Organizational Behavior
  • PAD 685 Human Resource Management
  • PAD 688 Research and Program Evaluation (Pre- or co-requisite for all other courses)
  • PAD 696 Portfolio Seminar or PAD 694 Internship Experience

In addition, students pursue a three-course emphasis in one of the three following areas:

Emphasis in Public Management (9 credits)

  • PAD 626 Managing Public Services
  • One of the following courses: PAD 546 Foundation of the Nonprofit Sector OR PAD 678 Nonprofit Management for Public Administrators
  • One of the following courses: PAD 513 Health Care in America, PAD 615 Strategic Management for Health Care Organizations, OR PAD 677 Special Topics in Health Care

Emphasis in Health Care Management (9 credits)

  • PAD 513 Health Care in America
  • PAD 615 Strategic Management for Health Care Organizations
  • PAD 677 Special Topics in Health Care

Emphasis in Nonprofit Management (9 credits)

  • PAD 546 Foundations of the Nonprofit Sector
  • PAD 637 Marketing for Public Service Organizations
  • PAD 678 Nonprofit Management

Emphasis in Local Government Management (9 credits)

  • PAD 605 Local Government Management
  • PAD 626 Managing Public Services
  • PAD 676 Special Topics in Local Government Management

Electives (6 credits)

In addition, 2 elective courses (6 credits) that complement the emphases are required totaling 39 credits for the completion of the MPA.

Elective credits taken outside of the Department of Public Administration must be approved by the student’s Academic Advisor.

Total Credits (39 Credits)


Student Learning Outcomes

  1. Learning Goal 1: [To] Lead and manage in diverse organizational contexts.
    1. Be able to critically explain the differences, similarities, and relationships between the public, private, and non-profit sectors.
    2. Use relevant scholarship to examine leadership or management in diverse organizational contexts.
    3. Demonstrate a critical understanding of the concepts of diversity, equity, and inclusion in organizational settings
  2. Learning Goal 2: Participate and contribute to public policy in the student’s chosen emphasis.
    1. Be able to fully evaluate the different scholarly approaches to the public policy process.
    2. Demonstrate knowledge or perform activities indicative of an ability to participate and contribute to public policy
  3. Learning Goal 3: Analyze and synthesize to solve problems and make informed decisions.
    1. Demonstrate an ability to apply appropriate quantitative or qualitative methods to address problems.
    2. Demonstrate the ability to identify and disaggregate the constituent parts of complex problems.
    3. Demonstrate the ability to support decisions through the triangulation, interpretation, evaluation, and synthesis of a range of primary or secondary evidence.
  4. Learning Goal 4: Articulate and apply the public service concerns associated with the distribution of scarce resources.
    1. Critically explain the role of public values in management or policy.
    2. Demonstrate an ability to analyze policy or management practices in terms of efficiency, equity, and effectiveness
    3. Demonstrate an understanding ethical frameworks and theory in responding to public service concerns
  5. Learning Goal 5: Communicate productively in settings characterized by diversity.
    1. Demonstrate the ability to ensure that the content of material produced, presented, or communicated is inclusive of diverse perspectives, individuals, or social groups as appropriate.
    2. Demonstrate skills in aligning the nature and content of communications or material produced or presented to the informational needs of diverse individuals and social groups.