Public Administration

MPA Program Director: Kim Saks-McManaway, J.D., Ph.D.
WebPlus Director: Roy Barnes, Ph.D.

Graduate Programs Recruiter/Admissions Counselor: Marisa Eynon-Ezop

Administrative Support Staff
Public Relations and Advising: Audrey Beauchesne
Personnel/Course Scheduling: Suzanne Shivnen
Financial/Budget: Karri Spoelstra

Program Faculty
Christopher Douglas (Economics), Ken Litwin (Criminal Justice), Adam Lutzker (Economics), Victoria Morckel (Political Science). Derwin Munroe (Political Science), Kim Saks-McManaway (Political Science), Jeremiah Wade-Olson (Political Science).

About the UM-Flint MPA

The Master of Public Administration Program (MPA) is designed to provide advanced education in administration for persons employed in the public or nonprofit sectors, as well as for those seeking entry to careers in administration. This interdisciplinary program addresses the educational needs of those with specialized, technical, or liberal arts degrees, and of those seeking to expand or update their administrative education. The program draws upon faculty and courses in economics, education, health care, political science, psychology and sociology. Upon graduation, students are awarded a Master of Public Administration degree from the University of Michigan’s nationally recognized Horace H. Rackham School of Graduate Studies.

The curriculum is designed around a basic core of courses in administration, which should be taken early in the student’s program. The core is supplemented by clusters of more specialized courses in administrative functions and processes and analytical methods. An applied research project and, for those with less than two years administrative experience, an internship, is also part of the curriculum. The program is designed for the part-time student, with courses offered primarily after 5:30 p.m., Monday - Thursday. The Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree is available with a variety of concentrations as listed below.

The program is designed for the part-time student, with courses offered primarily after 5:30 p.m., Monday - Thursday. The Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree is available with a variety of concentrations as listed below. The General Program as well as the concentrations in Social and Public Policy and Nonprofit Administration and Social Entrepreneurship can be completed in person or online.

Program Mission and Assessment

The mission of the Master of Public Administration Program is to provide students with conceptual knowledge, analytical skills and practical experience relevant for administrative positions in public and nonprofit organizations. Focused on problem-solving and with central attention to the implementation of policies, the curriculum is intended to focus students’ attention on administrative processes, conditions, and rules and their implications for the implementation of policy and the provision of services. The Program participates in the University-wide effort to assess its academic programs. Information on assessment plans, including goals, methods and outcomes is available at http://www.umflint.edu/assessment/.