Public Administration (Urban Management), MPA
Program Overview
Public Administration (Urban Management), MPA
The Master of Public Administration program with a concentration in Urban Management is designed to prepare students for public service at all levels of government, as well as in the nonprofit and private sectors. This top-ranked program will help students turn their desire for public service into a rewarding career in local and city management.
Program Description
The program consists of a core curriculum emphasizing managerial and analytic skills required for work in a wide variety of careers that serve the public good. The urban management concentration prepares students to be leaders in local government, where most services and programs for residents are managed. Through a focused set of electives and interactions with experienced city managers, students gain knowledge and develop the skills they need to contribute to the operations of local government and help communities better serve the people who live there.
At a Glance
- College/school: Watts College of Public Service & Community Solutions
- Location: Downtown Phoenix
- STEM-OPT extension eligible: No
Accelerated Program Options
This program allows students to obtain both a bachelor's and a master's degree in as little as five years. Accelerated bachelor's plus master's degree programs are designed for high-achieving students who want the opportunity to share undergraduate coursework with graduate coursework to accelerate completion of their master's degree. These programs feature the same high-quality curriculum taught by ASU's world-renowned faculty.
- Criminology and Criminal Justice, BS
- Criminology and Criminal Justice (Policing), BS
- Emergency Management and Homeland Security, BS
- Public Service and Public Policy, BS
- Public Service and Public Policy (American Indian Studies), BS
- Public Service and Public Policy (Business), BS
- Public Service and Public Policy (Criminology), BS
- Public Service and Public Policy (Emergency Management and Homeland Security), BS
- Public Service and Public Policy (Health Policy), BS
- Public Service and Public Policy (Law and Policy), BS
- Public Service and Public Policy (Sustainability), BS
Degree Requirements
- 42 credit hours including the required capstone course (PAF 509)
- Required Core (27 credit hours)
- PAF 501 Public Service Research I (3)
- PAF 502 Public Service Research II (3)
- PAF 503 Public Affairs (3)
- PAF 504 Microeconomics of Public Policy I (3)
- PAF 505 Public Policy Analysis (3)
- PAF 506 Public Budgeting and Finance (3)
- PAF 507 Public Human Resource Management (3)
- PAF 508 Organization Behavior (3)
- PAF 574 Diversity, Ethics and Leading Public Change (3)
- Concentration (9 credit hours)
- Select three of the following:
- PAF 523 The City and County Manager (3)
- PAF 525 Public Entrepreneurship (3)
- PAF 530 Management of Urban Government (3)
- PAF 534 Urban Services Infrastructure (3)
- Select three of the following:
- Elective (3 credit hours)
- Culminating Experience (3 credit hours)
- PAF 509 Public Affairs Capstone (3)
Admission Requirements
- General university admission requirements:
- All students are required to meet general university admission requirements.
- Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions.
- Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a bachelor's or master's degree in a related field from a regionally accredited institution.
- Related fields include political science, planning, business, urban and metropolitan studies, as well as other social science disciplines.
- Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program, or applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program.
- All applicants must submit:
- Graduate admission application and application fee
- Official transcripts
- Two letters of recommendation
- Written statement
- Proof of English proficiency
Tuition Information
When it comes to paying for higher education, everyone’s situation is different. Students can learn about ASU tuition and financial aid options to find out which will work best for them.
Application Deadlines
- Fall
- Session A/C: In Person, Final
- Spring
- Session A/C: In Person, Final
- Summer
- Session A/C: In Person, Final
Career Opportunities
Graduates are prepared to pursue a career in a field related to public administration or public policy. This may include opportunities as a manager or policy analyst in local, state, or federal agencies; nonprofit organizations; and private organizations that interface with the public sector.