Master of Public Administration (MPA)

• Prepare public managers to assume management and leadership positions in a variety of organizational settings in Coastal Georgia and beyond;
• Provide students with the knowledge, skills and abilities identified as important to job entry and career advancement;
• Help students develop and apply general public management knowledge and skills in solving problems typically faced by managers in the public and nonprofit sectors;
• Encourage students to demonstrate commitment to public service through such opportunities as internships, organized projects, and community involvement; and,
• Graduate students who have developed the knowledge, skills, and abilities to act ethically and effectively as public administrators who will lead and manage in public governance.

Programmatic outcome data

Student diversity data

Completion rates

Students are required to successfully complete a minimum of 36 semester credit hours (21 within the common core), 9-12 hours of electives and 3-6 hours in an internship and a major paper(capstone) that must be defended orally. The length of time required to complete the program will vary. Classes generally meet in 3 modalities: in-person, hybrid or online. In-person classes usually meet in the evenings.

In selecting electives, students may choose courses based on their interest in general public administration and city management. Additionally, a Nonprofit Organization and Leadership Certificate, Museum Administration Certificate and an Urban Management Track are also available.

MPA curriculum grid

MPA program applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution and show promise of high quality work at the graduate level. Only completed applications are reviewed by the admissions committee. Completed applications are evaluated according to the following criteria:

• Completed Online Application
• A minimum overall GPA of 2.50
• Two professional recommendation letters
• Statement of Purpose detailing the applicant's pertinent and professional experience, education, interest and goals in pursuing the MPA Degree (no more than 2 typewritten pages, single-spaced)
• Resume / Curriculum Vita
• Official transcripts from each college/university attended (undergraduate and graduate)
• For applicants with an undergraduate Overall GPA of 2.50 or higher, a GRE score is not required

The program has two admissions categories: regular and provisional.  An in-person interview is scheduled as determined by the admissions committee.

PADM 6830 History, Scope, and Practice of Public Administration
PADM 6832 Organizational Theory and Behavior
PADM 6833 Management of Human Resources in the Public Sector
PADM 6834 Public Budgeting and Finance
PADM 6839 Statistical Applications for Public Administrators
PADM 6840 Research Methods in Public Administration
PADM 6850 Information Resource Management
PADM 6876 Capstone

PADM 6831 Ethics for Public Administrators
PADM 6837 Intergovernmental Relations
PADM 6838 American Public Policy
PADM 6842 State and Local Government Administration
PADM 6843 Management and Leadership Behavior
PADM 6844 Seminar in Public Policy Analysis
PADM 6845 Urban Policy and Administration
PADM 6846 Administrative Law
PADM 6851 Social Welfare Policy, Planning, and Administration
PADM 6855 Special Topics in Public Administration
PADM 6861 Public Program Evaluation
PADM 6862 Public Policy Implementation
PADM 6863 Collective Bargaining in the Public Sector
PADM 6864 Public Policy Formation
PADM 6865 Special Topics in Public Policy
PADM 6872 Human Resource Training and Development
PADM 6874 Fast Track Internship Experience
PADM 6880 Introduction to Nonprofit Organizations and Leadership
PADM 6881 Nonprofit Management, Planning, and Governance
PADM 6882 Financial Management in Nonprofit Organizations
PADM 6883 Marketing and Fundraising for Nonprofit Organizations
PADM 6884 Human Resources and Volunteer Management for Nonprofit Organizations
PADM 6885 Writing Grants: Foundations, NPOs and Government Contracts
PADM 6000 Special Topics
PADM 6100 Independent Study

Fall:
June 1 - International students
July 31st  -  Regular admissions & graduate assistantships

Spring:
December 1 - Regular admissions, graduate assistantships

Summer:
 April 1 - Regular admissions, graduate assistantships