MPA Program Curriculum
The MPA curriculum is composed of three parts: a core curriculum (21 credits), elective courses (12 credits), and a written field project or capstone seminar (3 credits) for a total of 36 credits.
Core Curriculum (21 credits)
MPA 711 Politics, Policy, and Public Administration
MPA 721 Public Policy Analysis
MPA 723 Organization Structure & Behavior
MPA 732 Quantitative and Qualitative Tools for Public Administration
MPA 742 Human Resource Management in the Public Sector
MPA 752 Public Budgeting and Finance
MPA 760 Administrative Law OR MPA 762 Health Care Administration Law for students in Health Care emphasis
Elective Courses (12 credits)
Available MPA courses for constructing a coherent program of study include (but are not limited to):
MPA 726 State and Local Government
MPA 727 Municipal Management
MPA 728 Social Service Policy and Administration
MPA 729 Health Care Agency Organization and Management
MPA 735 Computer Applications in Public Administration (2cr.)
MPA 737 Information Resource Use in the Public Sector
MPA 750 Strategic Planning
MPA 751 Program Evaluation
MPA 756 Managing Economic Development
MPA 757 Regional and Metropolitan Economic Development
MPA 773 Health Care Policy and Finance
MPA 796 Independent Study (1, 2, or 3 cr.)
MPA 797 Special Topics
Graduate courses from other departments or other universities may be used as electives in the program providing they have not been used toward some other degree. Additional approvals will be necessary, including the approval of the MPA Coordinator.
Courses are offered on a Fixed Course Schedule so that students may easily plan their full academic pathway.
Field Project or Capstone Seminar (3 credits)
The Field Project (MPA 790) is an analytical paper demonstrating knowledge of public administration, communication skills, and techniques of analysis. Papers may take several forms including a bibliographic essay, case study, program development, and a program evaluation.
Students may choose to do the Capstone Seminar (MPA 780) instead of a Field Project. This is a comprehensive review of all core courses. You will be tested and must pass all exams demonstrating your knowledge of core courses taken during the course of your MPA degree.
For an advisory discussion of the choice between the Field Project or Capstone Seminar, please read Master of Public Administration: Field Project or Capstone.
Health Care Emphasis
Students may emphasize health care within their MPA program. This is different from the Certificate in Health Care Management as it is simply an emphasis within the MPA degree..
Students must take the following two courses as six of their 12 credits in elective courses if they have designated Health Care as their emphasis:
- MPA 729 Health Care Agency Organization and Management
- MPA 773 Health Care Policy and Financing
Law Enforcement Emphasis
The law enforcement emphasis consists of nine elective credits, three from the MPA program and six from the Criminal Justice Executive Development Institute (EDI) which is offered through the Fox Valley Technical College.