Public Administration – Master of Public Administration

The Master of Public Administration (MPA) is a professional course of study for individuals pursuing careers in government, public service, education and nonprofit organizations. Our MPA program actively engages students in a dynamic learning environment that combines coursework and research. It develops a comprehensive understanding of the concepts and principles of public administration while continuing our students' liberal education. As a result, graduates of the program will possess both the administrative skills and leadership abilities necessary to deal with the myriad of demands placed upon professional administrators. Our program provides a theoretically informed management degree that builds statesmen and public leaders committed to excellence and civic virtue. The MPA is an excellent professional degree for working professionals in government and nonprofit organizations, as well as for preparation in advanced graduate study in the social sciences or preparation for careers in public law, or admission for law school.

Admission Requirements

General admission to graduate study.
Completion of 18 semester hours of undergraduate work in any combination of political science, sociology, economics, geography, psychology, business or related field with GPA of 3.0 or higher. Students with demonstrated excellence in any undergraduate area will also be considered.
Acceptable proficiency in social science, analytical skills and writing ability as determined by the MPA admissions committee from the following: undergraduate transcripts, writing sample, publication record and interview (required at committee's request).
GRE score of 301 or higher preferred (combined for all three scores in verbal, quantitative, and writing sections) and with a writing score of 2 or higher preferred. Lower scores may be accepted by the MPA admissions committee with other evidence of potential for quality work (e.g., GPA, research and writing output, personal statement and interview, references, etc.).
Preferred TOEFL score of 525 or higher for international students; a lower score may be accepted with evidence of English speaking and writing proficiency.
A two-page typewritten statement of personal, educational, and career goals to be used as a writing sample, or other writing sample if requested. Additionally, an interview with the Chair of the Department of History, Philosophy, International and Legal Studies or MPA director may substitute for this requirement. This requirement should be sent directly via e-mail or U.S. postal mail to the MPA director or department chair.
Contact information for at least two references from faculty or supervisors. This requirement should be sent directly via e-mail or U.S. postal mail to the MPA director or the department chair.
As a result of the interview, references, and personal statement demonstrating potential for public leadership, the MPA admissions committee may grant conditional admission to students who do not meet all of these admissions requirements.

Program Competencies

Students will be actively engaged in research and learning exercises that will develop comprehensive understanding of the concepts and principles of public administration.
Students will become familiar with American government and public sector institutions and the processes that are responsible for the formation and execution of public policy.
Students will engage in learning exercises and research projects that will develop an understanding of the links between public administration and organizational behavior, public sector management, intergovernmental relations, public finance and governmental policy.
Students will participate in courses, seminars and learning exercises that will develop an understanding of the institutions and processes that are responsible for the formation and execution of public policy in sub-national governments.

Assessment

Competencies in public administration theory, methods, analytical thinking and professional report writing are assessed in each course in the curriculum.
Students are systematically assessed by their thesis or applied research committee and undergo a defense of their research.
Program assessment also takes place through alumni surveys in conjunction with program reviews.

Requirements for Degree

Satisfy University degree requirements.
Complete a minimum of 40 credit hours including a core of 22 hours and a concentration (15 hours).
Complete an approved thesis or capstone course (3-6 hours).
Successfully complete a written or oral examination as determined by the student's advisory committee.
Public presentation of thesis or research query.
Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.
Must be unconditionally admitted.

Dismissal from MPA

All students pursuing the MPA must maintain a minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA. Students falling below a minimum 3.0 will be placed on a one semester period of probation. Students failing to achieve a GPA of 3.0 after one semester of probation will be dropped from the program. Any student who receives a grade of "C" or below in more than two courses taken for graduate credit will be immediately dropped from the program. This will be monitored by the MPA director.

Program Requirements

Core

PA 605	Epistemology and Research Methodology	3
PA 610	Public and Administrative Law	3
PA 620	Bureaucracy and Public Management	3
PA 625	Public Budgeting and Finance	3
PA 640	Theoretical Foundations of Public Administration	3
PA 641	Ethics in Public Administration	3
PA 660	Federalism and Intergovernmental Relations	3
PA 690	Public Administration Internship	1
Total Credit Hours:		22

Completion of one of the following concentrations:

1. Security Studies, Intelligence and Theory Concentration

PA 680	Homeland Security	3
Total Credit Hours:		3

Choose four of the following:

PA 630	Politics of Public Policy	3
PA 642	Western Political Theory I	3
PA 643	Western Political Theory II	3
PA 645	Seminar in Founding Fathers and American Thought	3
PA 650	Federalism Theory and Constitutional Law	3
PA 681	American Diplomatic History	3
PA 686	Intelligence Analysis	3
PS 600	Political Science Seminar	3
RAPP 670	Directed Research	3
GOVT 610	American Politics	3
GOVT 620	International Relations	3
GOVT 630	Comparative Politics	3
GOVT 640	Political Theory	3
Total Credit Hours:		12

2. Economic Development and Intergovernmental Management Concentration

RAPP 620	Economic Development	3
Total Credit Hours:		3

Choose four of the following:

CIS 650	Innovation, Technology and Organizational Change	3
PA 611	Jurisprudence	3
PA 630	Politics of Public Policy	3
PA 645	Seminar in Founding Fathers and American Thought	3
PA 655	Community Development	3
PA 656	Non-profit Organizations	3
RAPP 610	Ideology and Policy Development in Appalachia	3
RAPP 611	Spatial Analysis	3
RAPP 630	Graduate Seminar in Regional Issues	3
RAPP 637	Environmental Policy and Management	3
RAPP 670	Directed Research	3
RAPP 685	Advanced Environmental Education	3
SOC 620	Sociology of Education	3
SOC 656	Organizations in Contemporary Society	3
MNGT 612	Organizational Theory	3
GOVT 600	Seminar: State and Local Government	3
GOVT 612	American Political Development	3
PS 600	Political Science Seminar	3
Total Credit Hours:		12

Thesis/Capstone

Completion of one of two research options (three to six credit hours required):

Completion and defense of an approved thesis; PA 699 – Thesis (six hours), or
Completion of a capstone course; PA 695 - Research Query (three hours)

Total Credit Hours:

3-6

Total Credit Hours: 40-43

The Department of History, Philosophy, International Studies and Legal Studies offers a Certificate in Intelligence Studies as part of the Bluegrass Intelligence Community Center for Academic Excellence. For more information on the certificate, go to: