2024-2025 Academic Catalog

Nov 19, 2024

2024-2025 Academic Catalog

Public Administration, MPA

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Master of Public Administration Overview

The Master of Public Administration (MPA) program is dedicated to cultivating ethical, innovative, and effective leaders and problem-solvers to address complex public challenges and to advance the public interest. Rooted in a commitment to public service “to pursue the public interest with accountability and transparency” (NASPAA), our program prepares students to examine their roles and responsibilities as global citizens to tackle pressing issues facing communities at all levels with integrity. In this program, students will engage in rigorous academic coursework, research, and experiential learning opportunities, and gain insights from diverse perspectives to enable them to make meaningful and sustainable contributions to the public sector and nonprofit organizations.

Senior Leadership Program

The Master of Public Administration Senior Leadership (MPA-SL) is a low-residency program intended for mid-career professionals with three to five years of experience in the public sector who want to enhance their knowledge and skills; expand their network; and advance their careers to serve the public.

Each admitted cohort of students engage in online learning as well as convene in person three times a year at the residency. Program is designed to be completed in 18 months.

Admitted students qualify for 2 Clark University graduate course units toward the degree upon successful completion and approval of their Assessment of Prior Learning (APL) portfolio.

Click here for Senior Leadership Program Requirements

Course of Study

All MPA students must successfully complete ten (10) units: seven (7) core units and three (3) elective courses or one (1) concentration. 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 courses. APL credit is awarded for demonstrated learning and experience that satisfy specific Clark course outcomes. 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. An APL application requires a student portfolio with documentation/artifacts that demonstrate their proficiency in the subject matter. There is an administrative fee associated with the APL process.

Internship

Completion of an approved non-credit internship is required. Exceptions are available for those who qualify. Please refer to our academic policies and visit a member of our Experiential Learning team for more information.

Required Core Courses

The seven (7) core units below. Capstone should be taken in the student’s last term.

MPA 3010 - Foundations of Public Service and Administration
MPA 3901 - Research Design & Methods (0.5 Units)
MPA 3011 - Seminar in Public Administration and Nonprofit Management (0.5 Units)
MPA 3120 - Organizational Behavior & Leadership
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
MSC 3620 - Cultural Diversity And Intercultural Communication

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.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

This concentration prepares educators and other working professionals to be change agents within their institutions in advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion for justice as a core competency. A concentration in DEI will create thought leaders in the DEI space, an area of expertise that is applicable across varied industries and sectors and is growing in demand as society moves to a more equitable and diverse construct.

This concentration consists of 3 courses:

MPA 3310 - Self as Agent of Change

MPA 3311 - Historical and Contemporary Understandings of (In) Equities

MPA 3312 - Social Change and Transformation

Healthcare Administration

This concentration centers on developing the skills and knowledge required to ensure healthcare organizations can achieve their strategic goals. The key focus of this concentration is how to efficiently manage all aspects of healthcare administration (policy formulation, management, professional knowledge of the healthcare sector, marketing and finances) to ensure an efficient and effective healthcare operation.

Select a minimum of 3 courses.
MPA 3040 - Health Care Administration
MPA 3840 - Project Management
MPA 3590 - Global Health
MPA 3260 - Leadership
MPA 3170 - Change Management
MSIT 3450 - Health Informatics
SSJ 30330 - Approaches to Community Health
MPA 3930 - Fundamentals of Business Analysis
Approved by advisor MPA 3440 - Special Topics: Public Administration

Nonprofit Leadership

This concentration focuses specifically on the management of nonprofit organizations, including strategic marketing, fundraising, change management and the role of nonprofit leaders in the delivery of services to various constituents.

Learning Outcomes

Clark University commits to providing an education that prepares students to achieve the following program outcomes:

Ethical Leadership: Graduates will demonstrate ethical leadership skills, applying principles of integrity, accountability, and transparency to address complex public challenges and promote social equity.
Innovative Problem-Solving: Graduates will develop innovative problem-solving skills, using evidence-based strategies to propose solutions to pressing public issues.
Public Service Values: Graduates will embody public service values, advocating for inclusive and equitable policies and practices with integrity and compassion.
Global Citizenship and Responsibility: Graduates will recognize their roles and responsibilities as global citizens, critically examining challenges with integrity and empathy, and advocating for inclusive solutions to promote the common good.
Applied Learning: Graduates will apply theoretical knowledge and gain practical skills through experiential learning opportunities, e.g., internships, fieldwork, and community service.
Effective Communication and Collaboration: Graduates will demonstrate effective communication and collaboration skills to achieve common goals and promote positive change.
Lifelong Learning: Graduates will engage in continuous professional development to enhance their skills and leadership in public administration and service.