Online Master of Public Administration (MPA)
Public Administration
Program Overview
The Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree for working professionals is a cohort-based, online executive degree program designed to enhance opportunities for individuals in public service through a program of study that integrates the theory and practice of public administration. The program aspires to produce graduates who are literate in public administration, have the skills to be effective managers of organizational resources, and possess the analytical abilities to be creative problem solvers.
Program Requirements
The degree consists of 36 graduate credit hours and includes a required executive practicum. No thesis is required for completion. This program results in the same Master of Public Administration degree as the full-time, in-person MPA.
Students must take all seven of the following courses online (21 credit hours):
HBS 501 Perspectives on the Policy Process
IAC 501 Ethical Leadership in Public Affairs
HBS 504 Public Administration
HBS 511 Working with Data
HBS 531 Public Management
HBS 532 Public Financial Administration
HBS 533 HR Management in Public Organizations
Additional Course Requirements
A 9-credit (3-course) concentration is required to complete the MPA degree.
*Indicates that other courses for the concentration may be accepted upon approval by the Director of Graduate Studies.
Executive Practicum
HBS 595 Executive Practicum
All students admitted into the online executive degree program are required to complete a 6-credit-hour practicum. For the practicum, students must design and implement a project for their current employer or an identified organization. The Executive Practicum replaces a comprehensive exam or internship/capstone requirement for the in-person MPA degree.
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Program Concentrations
Policy Analytics
Policy Analytics students learn to use data to provide insights and solutions to public problems. With intense additional training in economics, data analysis and visualization, students are prepared to analyze public policy problems using cutting edge techniques and to communicate their insights to a broad audience.
Economic and Community Development
Emergency Management
The Emergency Management concentration focuses on equipping students with the knowledge and skills in preventing, planning, and preparing for, responding to, and recovering from disasters and emergent events. Students will take courses such as hazard analysis and management, collaboration and communication for disasters, and preparedness and risk mitigation.
Non-Profit Management
The Non-Profit Management concentration is designed around the unique challenges and strategies involved in leading and operating nonprofit organizations. In this concentration, students will explore topics such as strategic management and leadership of nonprofits, social entrepreneurship, fundraising, volunteerism, data analytics for social impact, and board structure and governance.
Featured Courses
Legal foundations of the administrative state. Agency implementation of legislation through rulemaking, enforcement, and adjudication. Legislative oversight, executive control, and judicial review of agency actions.
Sources of regional economic growth and development, the spatial distribution of people (including migration) and businesses, the effects of policy on regional economic activity, urban/rural land use, and the role of public infrastructure, regional spillovers, and policy coordination.
Existing policies and agencies in emergency preparedness and response at the federal, state, and local levels. Emphasis on case studies of past incidents, emergencies, disasters, and catastrophes.
Examination of organizational theory and behavior with emphasis on implications for public management. Includes theories of decision-making, leadership, communications, and group dynamics.
