| MASTER OF PUBLC AFFAIRS DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
The Master of Public Affairs (MPA) degree is intended for mid-career professionals. The degree is a broad, generalist program that emphasizes leadership. The degree requires the completion of thirty (30) credits of coursework based on a plan of study developed in consultation with faculty advisers and approved by the director of graduate studies.
Required courses (12 credits)
PA 5941 Leadership for the Common Good: (4 credits) This seminar introduces participants to the range of leadership theories and tasks. Leadership is seen as the inspiration and mobilization of others to undertake collective action in pursuit of the common good.
PA 8001 Transforming Public Policy: (4 credits)The seminar focuses on developing interdisciplinary understanding of one or more policy areas through exploration of theory, readings, cases, and model-building exercises. The understanding will be used to articulate possible policy or system improvements, along with leadership implications for formulating and implementing them.
PA 8002 Synthesis Workshop: (4 credits)The workshop addresses a particular policy or problem area, typically on behalf of a client. Based on interdisciplinary inquiry and modeling, workshop participants will propose solutions and offer recommendations.
MPA students may take any MPP or MURP 3-credit capstone workshop in place of PA 8002 (Synthesis Workshop). In addition, students making this substitution may be asked to register for PA 5920 (Project Planning Workshop) to fulfill the 4-credit workshop requirement.
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Concentration courses (9 credits)
MPA participants select a focus with the approval of advisers and the director of graduate studies. Courses may be drawn from the Humphrey Institute and from other University departments.
MPA students who elect to follow a standard concentration should fulfill the published requirements of that concentration. Concentration and specialization requirement sheets are available in Room 225 and in this Handbook. MPA students may also design their own concentrations with the approval of their faculty adviser and the director of graduate studies.
Current list of MPP and MURP concentrations and specializations.
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Skill courses (6 credits)
The purpose of these courses is to enhance skills for working on policy, leadership and management issues in complex settings. Participants will choose skill courses that meet their own needs and expand their existing skills set.
If students wish to take skill courses outside this list, they should discuss the options with their advisers.
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Electives (3 credits)
MPA students select three (3) additional credits in graduate level courses to complement their programs.
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