Curriculum

For students starting the program Summer 2016 and beyond, the Master of Public Administration (MPA) program requires the completion of 57 credits with an area of emphasis in government or nonprofit.

Eleven required courses: 33 credits:

  • PUBM 5010 - Foundations of Public Administration
  • PUBM 5110 - Understanding Organizations
  • PUBM 5120 - Policy Process
  • PUBM 5210 - Management and Human Relations Skills
  • PUBM 5220 - Human Resource Management
  • PUBM 5300 - Budgeting and Financial Management
  • PUBM 5430 - Research Design
  • PUBM 5440 - Applied Data Analysis
  • PUBM 5600 - Ethics and Society
  • PUBM 5700 - Economic Analysis
  • PUBM 5900 - Capstone in the Public Service

Three courses in Government or Nonprofit Area of Emphasis: 9 credits 

Government Emphasis

  • PUBM 5410 - Policy Analysis
  • PUBM 5710 - Government Finance
  • PUBM 5720 - Administrative Law

Nonprofit Emphasis

  • PUBM 5860 - Nonprofit Sector in Society
  • PUBM 5870 - Nonprofit Resource Development
  • PUBM 5880 - Nonprofit Governance

Five Elective Courses: 15 credits

Electives may include: Behavioral Economics, Social Justice and Social Policy, Communication and Advocacy, Collaboration Across Sectors, City Management, GIS for Public Administrators, and more. 

MPA students conclude the program with the PUBM 5900 Capstone course. The course integrates the knowledge and skills gained in the program, providing students an opportunity to work with local agencies or employers. Students analyze a policy or management problem, and make recommendations for courses of action.

Courses are offered Fall, Winter, Spring, and Summer quarters.

Access degree requirements and course descriptions here.