Program Overview

Master of Public Administration (M.P.A.) Program

The Master of Public Administration (M.P.A.) program at Nova Southeastern University is designed to propel students into a successful career path in public administration, providing a foundation in advanced public administration skills intensely focused on state and local administration, as well as non-profit management.

Program Overview

The M.P.A. program is 36 total credits and can be completed in 12 months (full time) or 24 months (part time). The program is available to start in Fall/August and Winter/January semesters. Classes are offered Saturdays, 8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. and 12:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m. at NSU's Fort Lauderdale/Davie campus and online (synchronously). Select software courses are offered asynchronously online.

Curriculum

The M.P.A. curriculum includes:

• M.P.A. Core Courses (33 credits)
  • PUB 5409: Public Administration in Theory and Application (3 credits)
  • PUB 5429: Public Sector Statistical Analysis (3 credits)
  • PUB 5438: Public and Non-Profit Strategic Management (3 credits)
  • PUB 5439: Administrative Law and Ethics in the Public Sector (3 credits)
  • PUB 5449: Public Policy Analysis (3 credits)
  • PUB 5459: Managing Information and Technology in the Public Sector (3 credits)
  • PUB 5469: Public Finance (3 credits)
  • PUB 5926: Public Budgeting (3 credits)
  • PUB 5932: Sustainable Community Development (3 credits)
  • REE 5878: Real Estate Development Process: Part I (3 credits)
• Elective Courses (3 credits)
  • GIS 5866: Intro to Geographic Information Systems (3 credits)
  • PUB 5925: Leadership Public Sector (3 credits)
• Capstone (3 credits)
  • PUB 5945: Master of Public Administration Integrative Seminar (3 credits)
  • PUB 5941: Public Administration Internship (3 credits)

Admission Requirements

• Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution
• $50 non-refundable application fee
• 3.1 or higher GPA
• Official transcripts from all schools attended
• Resume or curriculum vitae (CV)
• TOEFL scores (if applicable)

Tuition and Fees

Tuition information is available on the Tuition and Fees page. Discounted rates are available through the employer tuition program.

Accreditation

NSU's M.P.A. is accredited by the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA) Commission on Peer Review and Accreditation and listed on the Annual Roster of Accredited Programs in conformity with NASPAA standards.

Program Mission

The mission of NSU's H. Wayne Huizenga College of Business and Entrepreneurship's Master of Public Administration program is to enhance local governance through teaching, research, and active public service. The program fosters critical thinking, analytical decision-making, and ethical leadership skills necessary to effectively address public sector challenges and opportunities.

Public Service Values

The NSU Florida M.P.A. program is committed to:

1. Transparency and accountability in teaching, research, and service that supports the local community and advances the public administration profession.
2. Demonstrating mutual respect among faculty, students, and the community to support diversity and inclusiveness.
3. Developing ethical, knowledgeable, and proficient public service leaders that serve with integrity, objectivity, and creativity.
4. Providing experiential learning opportunities to foster sustainability through critical thinking and analytical decision-making skills.

Program Performance Goals (PG)

• PG 1.0: The M.P.A. program will maintain a mission, public service values, goals, and outcomes that support the needs of local government and align with available resources.
• PG 2.0: The M.P.A. program will maintain administrative and governance capacity sufficient to fulfill its mission.
• PG 3.0: The M.P.A. program shall maintain a diverse faculty who are effective teachers, are involved in academic research, participate in scholarly activity, and provide service to their community and profession.
• PG 4.0: The M.P.A. program will maintain enrollments that are diverse and reflect a commitment to public service that strengthens communities.
• PG 5.0: The M.P.A. program will provide a structure and support services (e.g., advising, career counseling, and job search assistance) that allow students to complete their degrees in a timely fashion and advance their careers in public service.
• PG 6.0: The M.P.A. program will provide a curriculum aligned with local government needs and maintain student learning outcomes in support of its mission.

Student Learning Goals (LG) and Objectives (LO)

• LG1. Public Sector Knowledge: Our students will apply knowledge and skills in public policy and administration.
  • LO1: Our students will demonstrate competence in applying public policy and administration theories, perspectives, and practices to enhance the policy process.
• LG2. Analytical Decision-Making: Our students will be analytical decision-makers.
  • LO1: Students will apply financial, economic, statistical, and technological models to make evidence-based decisions on public sector projects.
• LG3. Communication: Our students will be effective communicators.
  • LO1: Students will compose technically proficient and professional public sector documents appropriate for the intended audience.
  • LO2: Students will arrange and deliver persuasive and productive oral presentations to convey information and findings on public sector projects.
• LG4. Critical Thinking: Our students will be critical thinkers.
  • LO1: Students will apply critical thinking processes to evaluate complex social problems within the public sector.
• LG5. Ethical Leadership: Our students will be ethical leaders.
  • LO1: Students will employ effective, ethical leadership skills, and community welfare principles to public sector situations.