Public Administration, MPA

Master of Public Administration Overview

The Clark University Master of Public Administration (MPA) program is designed to strengthen and advance the managerial and analytical skills of mid-career professionals in both public organizations and nonprofit institutions.  This widely accepted professional credential is ideal for students who have a commitment to public service and are seeking a career in a non-profit organization or a position with federal, state, or local government. The goal of this graduate level, professional program is to develop administrators who can effectively address the varied managerial, economic and political aspects of public issues and programs. The program also assists professionals from other fields who wish to make the transition to the administration of government, nonprofit, or other public institutions.

This 10 unit degree provides skills required for leadership roles in a wide range of public service careers. A Clark Master of Public Administration equips students with a solid academic foundation and training in nonprofit management, public management, and public affairs. Students gain knowledge and can implement policies, projects, and programs within government and non-profit organizations. A graduate of this program will be able to address public needs in effective and imaginative ways so they may lead a career of consequence for their constituents.

Course of Study

All MPA students must successfully complete ten (10) graduate courses: six (6) core courses and four (4) electives or one (1) concentration plus one (1) elective. Electives may be selected from courses offered in the MPA or another School of Professional Studies graduate program.  Further options for selecting electives that suit individual interests may be discussed with the students’ academic advisor. 

The School of Professional Studies offers Assessment of Prior Learning (APL) credit for up to two (2) graduate level courses.  APL credit is awarded for both demonstrated learning and experience. APL is offered to adult learners with three (3) or more years of work experience. It is the student’s responsibility to apply for and create a portfolio with the necessary documentation to demonstrate proficiency in the subject matter.  APL credit can be applied to a core or elective degree requirement, depending on the program.  Admitted SPS graduate students interested in APL should review the APL policy and process and consult with their academic advisor before the end of their first term in the program.  There is an administrative fee associated with the APL process.

Required Core Courses

The six (6) core courses below. Policy Analysis or Issues and Cases should be taken early* in the program and the Capstone should be taken in the student’s last term. 

• MPA 3120 - Organizational Behavior & Leadership
• MPA 3320 - Ethics and Professional Life
• MPA 3820 - Labor Relations and Collective Bargaining
• MPA 3999 - Capstone Practicum

• Choose 1 of the following 2 courses:

• MPA 3100 - Issues and Cases in Public Administration *
• MPA 3400 - Policy Analysis *

• * International Students with minimal or no background in American government or civics, may substitute the Issues and Cases and/or Policy Analysis course with an MPA course approved by the MPA Program Director.

   

• Choose 1 of the following 2 courses:

• MPA 3050 - Cultural Competence
• MSPC 3620 - Cultural Diversity And Intercultural Communication

Internship

An internship option is available to students who enter the MPA program and meet the internship qualification criteria. Internship counts as an elective in the program.

• MPA 3940 - Internship

Elective Courses

Students are free to select their elective courses according to their own preferences. Often, however, students prefer to concentrate their electives in one particular area. The concentrations in MPA are listed above. (MSC courses count as electives in the MPA program).

List of Concentrations

While concentrations are optional, students may choose to pursue one to focus their studies in a particular area as part of the program.  Students interested in declaring a concentration must consult with their academic advisor.

Each concentration requires three (3) courses.  Students who elect to complete a concentration must also take an additional graduate elective course to fulfill the 10-course requirement for the degree.

Learning Outcomes

The Master in Public Administration offers students the opportunity to develop foundational competencies in organizational systems; ethics and corporate and social responsibility; workplace dynamics, communication, and career management; applied research; and theoretical grounding. The concentrations allow students to specialize in areas that are particular to career paths and industries. 

1. Organizational Systems - effectively navigate organizational landscape and communicate with others in the public service and non-profit sectors. (Sample course: MPA 3120 Organizational Behavior and Leadership)
2. Ethics and Social Responsibility - apply values and ethics within the public service and non-profit sectors. (Sample course: MPA 3220 Ethics and Professional Life)
3. Workplace Dynamics, Communication, and Career Management - lead, manage, and engage others in public service and non-profit sectors. (Sample course: MSPC 3300 Professional Communication Seminar)
4. Applied Research - analyze research designs and data; apply findings for effective and efficient decision-making (Sample courses: MPA 3900 Research & Marketing Analytics; MPA 3999 Capstone) 
5. Theoretical Grounding - participate and contribute to the policy formulation process. (Sample courses: MPA 3400 Policy Analysis; MPA 3100 Issues and Cases)

More detailed information about learning outcomes and core competencies can be found on the MPA website.

Courses

• MPA 3020 - Fundraising and Grant Writing
• MPA 3030 - United States Health Care Policy
• MPA 3040 - Health Care Administration
• MPA 3050 - Cultural Competence
• MPA 3110 - Applied GIS For Decision Makers
• MPA 3111 - Cannabis Education and Enforcement
• MPA 3112 - Regulatory Frameworks for Cannabis Control
• MPA 3113 - Health and Public Safety Implications of Cannabis Use
• MPA 3114 - Social Policy and Equality
• MPA 3115 - Global Migration
• MPA 3116 - International Organizations
• MPA 3117 - Comparative Public Adminstration
• MPA 3121 - Workplace Development in the Public and Non Profit Sectors
• MPA 3122 - Criminal Justice and Public Administration
• MPA 3170 - Change Management
• MPA 3218 - Cannabis Law
• MPA 3219 - Social Equity and Social Impact of Cannabis
• MPA 3224 - Non Profit Program Development
• MPA 3260 - Leadership
• MPA 3310 - Self as Agent of Change
• MPA 3311 - Historical and Contemporary Understandings of (In) Equities
• MPA 3312 - Social Change and Transformation
• MPA 3313 - Praxis
• MPA 3380 - Strategic Marketing for Nonprofit Organizations
• MPA 3440 - Special Topics: Public Administration
• MPA 3540 - Nonprofit Management
• MPA 3550 - Politics and Public Management
• MPA 3590 - Global Health
• MPA 3620 - Public Budgeting and Accounting
• MPA 3660 - Intervention, Mediation and Negotiation
• MPA 3710 - Managing Human Services Organizations
• MPA 3740 - Strategic Management for Public and Nonprofit Organizations
• MPA 3820 - Labor Relations and Collective Bargaining
• MPA 3840 - Project Management
• MPA 3880 - Cost Benefit Analysis of Public Programs
• MPA 3900 - Research Methods and Strategies
• MPA 3930 - Fundamentals of Business Analysis
• MPA 3940 - Internship