Mar 28, 2024  
2023-2024 Catalog 
  
2023-2024 Catalog

Public Administration (MPA)


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Public Administration information   

The Master of Public Administration (MPA) program is designed to provide advanced education in administration for persons employed in the public or nonprofit sectors, as well as those seeking entry to careers in administration. This interdisciplinary program addresses the educational needs of those with specialized, technical, or liberal arts degrees, and those seeking to expand or update their administrative education. The program draws upon faculty and courses in economics, 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 Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree is available with a variety of concentrations as listed below.  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 additional courses in various areas of administration or with one of four concentrations.  An applied research project and, for those with fewer than two years of administrative experience, an internship, are also part of the curriculum. The program is designed for the part-time student, with courses offered primarily after 5:30 pm, Monday-Thursday.  Students may opt to complete the program in person or online, through a hyperflex format in which classes meet simultaneously in person and virtually.  This option is available for the General Program and the Nonprofit and Social Entrepreneurship and Social and Public Policy concentrations.

Admission Requirements

See Graduate Study  for general admissions requirements. Admission to the MPA Program is based on a holistic review of an applicant’s academic and professional history. Applicants are required to submit a completed application, the applicable processing fee, and provide the following documentation: 

  • Official transcripts for prior coursework at any and all institutions of higher education attended, 
  • Statement of Purpose detailing the reasons for seeking further study in the MPA Program and, if necessary, addressing any deficiencies in the applicant’s educational background
  • Two letters of recommendation, preferably at least one from a professional reference  (Applicants who have graduated from any of the University of Michigan campuses are exempt from the letters of recommendation requirement.)
  • Current resume or curriculum vitae 

International students must submit additional documentation and should visit the International Students page (https://www.umflint.edu/graduateprograms/international-students) for more information.      

Transfer of Credit

Up to six (6) credit hours of graduate credit completed at an accredited institution may be accepted for transfer. Transfers of credit are subject to the approval of the program director. Transfers are made in accordance with the policies of the Horace H. Rackham School of Graduate Studies. Information on requesting transfer of credit is available at https://www.umflint.edu/graduateprograms/requesting-transfer-credit.

Time Limit for Degree Completion

Students are expected to complete all work within five years from the date of first enrollment in the program. Students exceeding this time limit must file a petition.  See the Rackham School of Graduate Studies for further information.

Requirements


Thirty-six credits as follows:

B. General Program or Concentration Courses (9 credits)


One of the following tracks:

General Program


The General Program allows students to gain deeper insight into public administration more broadly.  It is ideal for many public service professionals, especially those seeking to work in governmental organizations at the local, state or federal level.

Criminal Justice Administration


The primary objective of the concentration in Criminal Justice Administration is to provide advanced education in administration and policy analysis to persons already employed in agencies in the criminal justice system.  The educational needs of those with specialized, technical, or liberal arts degree, and others with limited or outdated training in administration are addressed.  Designed to serve those seeking to update knowledge to deal with the more complex and numerous tasks facing professionals in the criminal justice system, the concentration includes study of contemporary developments in criminal justice administration, most notably the interdependence between preprosecutorial and post-prosecutorial agencies and functions and the close relationship between administration and policy.

Health Care Administration


The concentration in Health Care Administration, offered in collaboration with the Department of Health Sciences and Administration, provides advanced education in administration and policy analysis primarily to persons employed within the health care field. It addresses the educational needs of those with specialized, technical, or liberal arts degrees, as well as others with limited or outdated education or training in administration. Focusing on contemporary developments in health care administration, the program concentration prepares students to deal with the complex tasks and challenges of today’s health care system.

Nonprofit Administration and Social Entrepreneurship


The concentration in Nonprofit Administration and Social Entrepreneurship is designed to meet the needs of current and future public administrators working in the nonprofit and socially aware for-profit sectors. The concentration also serves, and is appropriate for, those with bachelor’s degrees but no current or previous relevant employment.

Social and Public Policy


The Social and Public Policy Concentration of the MPA Program is designed to provide students a deep and broad understanding of public policy in a variety of areas.  Given the growing complexity of United States and international policy, this concentration prepares students to better understand policy trends and to engage in thoughtful policy analysis and policy drafting.

Note


With consent of the program director, up to six credits in the following courses may be applied to the program:

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