Master of Public Administration

Program Overview

The Master of Public Administration (MPA) program at Southeast Missouri State University prepares students for leadership roles in government and nonprofit organizations. The curriculum emphasizes ethical decision-making, communication, and organizational management. Students can customize their program with elective tracks in Nonprofit Management or State and Local Governance. Graduates are equipped for careers in public administration, including emergency management, human resources, and policy analysis.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

• The Master of Public Administration (MPA) is a professional degree that prepares graduates for careers in management of government and nonprofit organizations.
• It provides students with the skills to be responsible and ethical leaders, with the ability to make decisions strategically.
• Graduates can develop skills in:
• Leadership
• Communication
• Organizing and communicating information effectively
• Analyzing ethical considerations confronting public and nonprofit organizations
• Students can customize the program to meet their interests and career goals by selecting from a range of elective courses.

Outline:

• The MPA curriculum comprises 36 credit hours, consisting of:
• 21 hours of core courses
• 12 hours of elective courses
• 3-credit-hour capstone (internship, project, or thesis)
• Core Requirements:
• PS502: Fundamentals of Public Administration (3 credits)
• PS505: Organizational Theory and Behavior (3 credits)
• PS518: Public Policy Analysis (3 credits)
• PS545: Research Methods for Public Administrators (3 credits)
• PS603: Public Personnel Administration (3 credits)
• PS615: Government Budgeting Process (3 credits)
• PS655: Federalism, State, and Local Government (3 credits)
• PS697: Public Administration Internship (3 credits) OR PS699: Public Administration Thesis (3 credits)
• Elective Tracks:
• Nonprofit:
• PS631: Nonprofit Management (3 credits)
• PS632: Nonprofit Marketing (3 credits)
• PS636: Grants and Fundraising (3 credits)
• State and Local Governance:
• PS621: Social Media and Politics (3 credits)
• PS691-696: Topics in Political Science (3 credits)
• PY571: Introductory Behavioral Statistics (3 credits)
• SC560: Organizational Communication (3 credits)
• Students may also choose an elective with the advice of their program coordinator from GR698: Master's Final Comprehensive Examination (0 credits) or GR699: Master's Oral Examination (0 credits).

Assessment:

• Core Course Assessment: Students are typically evaluated through a combination of exams, written reports, presentations, participation, and projects.
• Elective Course Assessment: Assessment methods may vary depending on the specific course and instructor.
• Capstone Assessment:
• Internship: Students complete a 120-hour internship in a relevant organization and submit a scholarly internship paper.
• Thesis: Students conduct independent research and submit a thesis.
• Project: Students complete a research project under faculty supervision.
• Students are expected to achieve a minimum GPA of 3.0 in the program to graduate.

Teaching:

• The program is primarily taught by Southeast Missouri State University faculty with expertise in public administration and related fields.
• Classes are typically delivered in a hybrid format that combines online learning with on-campus sessions.
• The program is designed to be flexible and accessible to working professionals, with courses offered in the evenings and on weekends.
• The program utilizes a variety of teaching methods to meet the diverse needs of students, including:
• Lectures
• Discussions
• Case studies
• Simulations
• Students may also have opportunities to engage with practitioners from the field through guest lectures, workshops, and networking events.

Careers:

• Graduates of the MPA program are equipped for a range of leadership and management positions in public administration, including:
• Emergency Management Directors
• Operations Research Analysts
• Human Resources Managers
• Postsecondary Education Administrators
• Nonprofit Executive Directors
• Policy Analysts
• Program Directors
• City Managers
• The program can also prepare students for doctoral studies and research careers in public administration and related fields.