Graduate Programs

PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION

MASTER OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION

The methods of instruction employed in the program expose students to a variety of approaches to public management. These methods include simulations, role playing, problem analysis, lectures and case studies. They provide the combination of theoretical principles and practical administrative experience required for students to develop the ability to analyze complex managerial problems.

Students may enroll in the Master of Public Administration program on either a full-time or part-time basis. Classes are scheduled in the evening throughout the year. Full-time students may carry more than a normal course load only with permission of their advisers.

Additional Requirements for Acceptance into the Master of Public Administration (MPA) Degree Program. In addition to the general requirements for admission to the Graduate School, the following are required for graduate study in Public Administration:

1. An acceptable score on the aptitude portion of the Graduate Record Exam or the Miller Analogies Test.
2. An undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0.

I. Core (19 hours):

The core emphasizes achieving an overall perspective on the problems of public administration and comprehending the various managerial and analytical approaches salient to the environment of public administration. It includes:

MPAD 6102  Legal Institutional Foundations of Public 
           Administration (3G)
MPAD 6104  Theoretical and Ethical Foundations of Public 
           Administration (3G)
MPAD 6125  Quantitative Research Methods in Public 
           Administration (3G)
MPAD 6125L Computer Lab in Quantitative Research Methods in 
           Public Administration (1)
MPAD 6128  Public Policy Analysis and Program Evaluation (3G)
MPAD 6131  Public Budgeting and Finance (3G)
MPAD 6134  Public Personnel Management (3G)

The advanced courses include application of analytic tools and understanding of public administration processes. With the approval of an adviser, students may elect to take advanced courses offered by other departments. Students are expected to select four courses from the following:

MPAD 6000  Topics for Graduate Study in Public Administration (1-4G)
MPAD 6140  Labor Mgmt. Relations in Government (3G)
MPAD 6141  Conflict Mgmt. in Public Organization (3G)
MPAD 6142  Managing Grants and contracts in the Public Sector (3G)
MPAD 6144  Changing the Public Organization (3G)
MPAD 6146  Introduction to Urban Administration (3G)
MPAD 6160  Info. Systems in Public Administration (3G)
MPAD 6170  Law and Urban Policy (3G)
MPAD 6172  Administration of the Health Care Systems in the United
           States (3G)
MPAD 6174  Public Policy and Politics in Health Care 
           Administration (3G)
MPAD 6176  Trends and Issues in Health Admin. (3G)
MPAD 6185  Intergovernmental Relations (3G)

III. Directed Study or Research (6 hours):

Each MPA student must complete either option A or B:

1. Directed Study. Students who select this option will complete a written project on a topic of significance based on a field experience in public administration or nonprofit administration. The field experience requirement can be satisfied through professional involvement in public or nonprofit administration or experience gained through an approved internship. Directed study requires the following courses, graded on a pass/fail basis:

   MPAD 6800  Directed Study in Public Administration (Proposal) (3G)
   MPAD 6801  Directed Study in Public Administration (Completed Study)
              (3G)
   

   University regulations governing the preparation and submission of Master's theses also apply to the Directed Study.

2. Research Applications. Students who select this option will complete a one-semester written project on an approved topic of significance in public administration or nonprofit administration. The project will include the submission of revised paper drafts based on instructor evaluation. Students must enroll in the following course graded A, B, C, U format:

   MPAD 6188. Research Applications in Public Administration (3G)
   

   Students who select this option must take one additional elective course to complete the 40 hours required for the MPA degree.

Assistantships. The department offers a number of graduate teaching assistantships each academic year. To apply for an assistantship, students must submit a completed "Application for Graduate Assistant" form and a copy of their resume to the program coordinator.

Internships. Each student in the Master of Public Administration Program is required to complete a Directed Study based on a professional field experience in public administration. The requirement of a professional field experience may be satisfied in one of three ways: (1) through a full-time position in a public or nonprofit organization; (2) through a full-time position in a business where the work experience is approved for internship; or (3) through an approved internship in a public or nonprofit organization. Each student must complete an "MPA Internship Information" form and submit it to the MPA office.

Scholarship. The North Carolina City and County Management Association funds a public administration scholarship at each of the state universities to assist students preparing for careers in North Carolina local government. The MPA Program Selection Committee nominates the eligible recipient each fall.