MPA Outline

This program is designed for persons already in or preparing to enter public service here in the United States and abroad. The program is designed to enable the student to perform management or staff functions in such areas as finance, budget analysis and personnel management. Students are prepared with a knowledge of political and legal processes of government and with an appreciation for managerial decision-making skills required by public agencies.

The program has two tracks: an American Administration Track and an International Administration Track. The American Administration Track allows students to take a more “traditional” MPA track and is the best route for students looking for employment or promotion in the public or non-profit sectors in the United States. The International Administration Track provides students an international perspective on the operations and management of public and non-profit organizations in other countries, and is the best route for students looking for employment abroad.

MPA students may choose between the Thesis Plan and the Alternate Plan. The Thesis Plan requires 34 credits (including credits taken for the thesis, but not including the research tool). The Alternate Plan requires 34 (not including the research tool) credits along with the submission of an alternate plan paper written as a part of the requirements of a designated course. For either plan, 18 credits of core courses are required. These core courses include:

Admission Requirements for the MPA (Master of Public Administration) are:

1. An undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for the last two years of undergraduate coursework, OR:

   Other factors (e.g. promising public or private sector work experience) demonstrating that the program can be successfully completed.

2. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university;
3. All students need a reasonable background knowledge in government and quantitative methods. In some cases, the student's advisor may require that knowledge and skill deficiencies be remedied.

The GRE is not required for admission to this program. All applicants are required to submit the following information to the College of Graduate Studies by March 1st for the fall semester:

1. Application for Graduate Study
2. All college transcripts in duplicate
3. Verification of baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university
4. Required information from international students.
5. A deadline exemption form only if applying to the program after the March 1st.

Upon receipt of the above information, the College of Graduate Studies forwards the student's file to the department for admission recommendation. After the graduate coordinator of the Political Science/Law Enforcement Department has recommended the student be admitted to the program, the Dean of the College of Graduate Studies will certify that the student meets the admission requirements and will then admit the student to the program and the College of Graduate Studies.

Program Outline

There are 34 credits required for both the American Administration Track and the International Administration Track of the MPA. In order to complete the required 34 graduate credits, students must take the following courses:

Common Core Courses: 19 credits

• POL 600: Research Methods (3 credits)
• POL 606: Organization Theory (3 credits)
• POL 611: Orientation for Graduate Students (1 credit)
• POL 622: Seminar: Theory and Practice (3 credits)
• POL 628: Seminar: Public Management (3 credits)
• POL 662: Human Resource Management (3 credits)
• POL 663: Budget and Fiscal Management (3 credits)

American Administration Track: 9 credits

ONE of the following (totaling 3 credits):

· POL 550: Topics in Public Law (with permission)

· POL 560: Topics in Public Policy/Administration (with permission)

· POL 562: Collective Bargaining: Public Sector

· POL 570: Topics in Institutions & Process (with permission)

· POL 571: Public Opinion and Polling Methods

· POL 572: Urban Government

· POL 573: Legislative Process

· POL 574: Executive Process

· POL 580: Topics in Political Methodology (with permission)

· POL 660: Seminar: Public Administration

· POL 670: Seminar: Public Law

· POL 680: State-Urban Governance

TWO of the following (totaling 6 credits):

· POL 610: Seminar: American Politics

· POL 650: Seminar: Ethics and Values in Administration

· POL 691: Internship (with permission)

International Administration Track: 9 credits

ONE of the following: (totaling 3 credits):

· POL 530: Topics in International Relations (with permission)

· POL 532: International Law

· POL 533: International Organization

· POL 534: US Foreign Policy

· POL 535: Capitalism, Nationalism and Democracy

· POL 536: International Political Economy

· POL 537: International Conflict Resolution

· POL 539: Comparative Social Policy

· POL 540: Topics in Comparative Politics (with permission)

· POL 548: Political Change and Development

· POL 549: Comparative Criminal Justice Systems

TWO of the following: (totaling 6 credits):

· POL 620: Seminar: Issues in Comparative Government and Administration

· POL 630: Seminar: International Relations

· POL 650: Seminar: Ethics and Values in Administration

Required Electives (0-5 credits, depending on Thesis/APP)

Choose any 500/600 level electives selected in consultation with an advisor.

Research/Language Tool (Graduate College Requirement)

As required by the Graduate College, MPA students must demonstrate proficiency in an advanced research methods area. This research requirement may be satisfied by taking POL 669: Seminar in Public Policy Analysis, or with the approval of the students advisor, by taking some other advanced research course or by demonstrating a foreign language competency. These credits may not be applied toward the Masters degree.

Required Thesis or Alternate Plan Paper

POL 694: Alternative Plan Paper (1-2 credits)

POL 699: Thesis (3-6 credits)

A thesis prospectus and a thesis defense are required for all students taking the thesis option.

All MPA students must pass comprehensive exams. The policy on comprehensive exams can be found here: Comprehensive Exam Policy

Extended Campus

The Department of Political Science and Law Enforcement at MSU offers a Masters Degree in Public Administration (MPA) with courses meeting both on-campus in Mankato and in the Twin Cities metro area through our extended campus at 7700 France Avenue in Edina, MN. The extended campus and its requirements are the same as the on-campus requirements listed immediately above.