Program Overview

Public Administration: Executive, M.P.A. - GRAD, UNH

The University of New Hampshire offers a Master of Public Administration (M.P.A.) with an Executive track, designed for mid-career professionals seeking to enhance their leadership skills and advance their careers in the public service sector.

Program Overview

The Executive M.P.A. program is a 30-credit online program that can be completed in 12 months. It is ideal for working professionals with at least 5 years of relevant experience, who can reduce their credit load by 6 credits and save on tuition. The program prepares students for strategic leadership roles in the public and nonprofit sectors.

Curriculum and Requirements

The program consists of:

• 3 BASIC Core Curriculum Courses
• 3 ADVANCED Core Curriculum Courses
• MPA CAPSTONE EXPERIENCE Track: Management and Leadership or Program Planning and Development

Course List

The following courses are part of the program:

• PA 800: Foundations and Theories of Public Administration
• PA 805: Introduction to Statistical Analysis
• PA 809: Organization and Management in Public and Non-profit Sectors
• PA 802: Grant-writing for Public and Non-profit Sectors
• PA 808: Administrative Law
• PA 812: Leadership Theory and Practice
• PA 813: Human Resource Management in Public and Non-profit Sectors
• PA 814: Financial Management and Budgeting in the Public Sector
• PA 816: Public Management Techniques
• PA 818: Non-Profit Management
• PA 819: Managing Conflict and Change in Nonprofit and Public Organizations
• PA 820: Strategic Communications for Public and Non-profit Sectors
• PA 821: Effective Change Management in Nonprofit and Public Organizations

Capstone Project

The Capstone project is the culmination of the student's graduate work, applying academic insight to practical experience. It is designed to provide students with an opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills developed in the program to real-world situations.

Application Requirements and Deadlines

Applications must be completed by the following deadlines:

• Fall: August 1
• Spring: December 15
• Summer: April 15
• Application fee: $65

Student Learning Outcomes

The program aims to develop in students:

• In-depth understanding of the structure of public sector organizations and common issues faced by public and nonprofit managers
• Effective communication skills with public managers, policymakers, and the general public
• Ability to manage organizations, processes, and people in the public and nonprofit sectors
• Critical thinking skills to address public issues and solve problems
• Ability to collect and analyze data to inform public decision-making

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the program can pursue leadership positions in areas such as:

• Government (federal, state, and local)
• Non-profit and non-governmental organizations
• Research institutes
• Foundations
• Professional and trade associations

Elective Courses

Electives are available in many substantive areas, including:

• Administrative Law
• Art of Negotiation
• Courts and Public Policy
• Federalism and Intergovernmental Relations
• Financial Management and Budgeting in Public and Non-Profit Sectors
• Grant-writing for Public and Non-Profit Sectors
• Human Resource Management in Public and Non-Profit Sectors
• International Environmental Politics, Policy, and Law
• International Organization
• Leadership Theory and Practice
• Legal and Policy-Making Environment on Public and Non-Profit Sectors
• Non-Profit Management
• Performance Management in Public and Non-Profit Organizations
• Policy and Program Evaluation
• Public Management Techniques
• Public Opinion and Survey Research
• Security Intelligence Study
• State and Local Government

Departments throughout UNH offer elective courses, including:

• Analytics
• Business Administration
• Education
• Health Policy and Management
• History
• Human Development and Family Studies
• Natural Resources
• Political Science
• Sociology
• UNH School of Law