Program Overview

Introduction to the Master of Public Administration Program

The Master of Public Administration (MPA) program at the University of Connecticut provides students with the skills and experience to lead in the public and nonprofit sectors. The program is designed to equip students with a strong academic foundation through core courses and electives, as well as hands-on experience through internships.

Program Requirements

The MPA program is a 42-credit program that consists of:

• Core courses (24 credits)
• Elective courses (12 credits)
• A supervised internship (6 credits)

Core Courses

Students must take the following core courses:

• PP 5340: Introduction to Public Policy and Management
• PP 5345: Project Management in the Public Sector
• PP 5361: Theory and Management of Public Organizations
• PP 5364: Public Finance and Budgeting
• PP 5365: Human Resource Management
• PP 5370: Applied Research Design
• PP 5375: Economic Analysis for Public Policy and Management
• PP 5376: Applied Quantitative Methods

Electives

Students can choose from a variety of elective courses, including:

• Law and Public Policy
• Nonprofit Management
• Public Financial Management
• Public Policy
• Public Policy, Diversity, and Inclusion
• Social Policy
• State and Local Government Management
• Survey Research
• Urban Planning

Sample Course Sequences

The program offers sample course sequences for full-time and part-time students. For example:

Full-Time

• Year 1 Fall: PP 5340, PP 5375, PP 5361, PP 5376
• Year 1 Spring: PP 5370, PP 5364, PP 5365, Elective
• Year 2 Fall: Elective, Elective, Elective, Internship
• Year 2 Spring: Elective, PP 5390: Supervised Internship

Part-Time

• Year 1 Fall: PP 5340, PP 5375
• Year 1 Spring: PP 5365, PP 5364
• Year 2 Fall: PP 5376, Elective
• Year 2 Spring: PP 5370, Elective
• Year 3 Fall: Elective, PP 5361
• Year 3 Spring: Elective, PP 5345

Dual and Joint Degree Programs

The MPA program offers dual and joint degree programs with other departments, including:

• Public Administration and Juris Doctor (Dual)
• Public Administration and Latino & Latin American Studies (Joint)
• Public Administration and Social Work (Joint)
• Public Administration and Survey Research and Data Analysis (Joint)

Admissions

The admissions process for the MPA program includes:

• Application deadline: February 15 (priority) and May 15 (final) for fall admission, and November 1 for spring admission
• Requirements: undergraduate degree, transcripts, letters of recommendation, personal statement, and GRE scores (optional)
• Admission statistics: average undergraduate GPA, average class size, average age of students, and percentage of female students

Cost and Financial Aid

The cost of the MPA program varies depending on the student's residency status and the number of credits taken. The program offers financial aid, including graduate assistantships and merit scholarships.

Student Life

The MPA program offers various extracurricular activities, including:

• Professional development events
• Public service events
• Social events
• Opportunities to meet with alumni and professionals in the field

Frequently Asked Questions

The program has a list of frequently asked questions that provide additional information on the program, including:

• What is a Master of Public Administration degree?
• What can I do with a MPA degree?
• Where are your graduates employed?
• Is there a minimum GPA required for admission?
• Can I defer my admission?
• How much does the program cost?
• What type of financial aid is available?