Master of Public Administration
The School of Business and Management offers a Master of Public Administration degree. The Master of Public Administration (MPA) provides the expertise needed of graduates to fulfill policy roles in nonprofit organizations, governmental organizations, and firms in the private sector that conduct business with the public sector. This degree program emphasizes close iinvolvement with leaders from a wide variety of public sector organizations so our students are able to make contributions at any level. The program provides for broad study in functional areas of public administration and for concentrated study with emphasis areas of Human Resource Management and Public Affairs Administration.
Program Requirements
The program requires 30 semester units not including the undergraduate foundation courses that vary with preparation. Students must complete all foundation courses before 15 units of graduate coursework are completed. See course descriptions below for detail.
Foundation Courses |
Units | |
| Introduction to Financial Accounting (AC003 or equivalent) | 3 | |
| Introduction to Political Science (PS courses approved by Program Director) | 3 | |
| Introduction to Psychology (PY001 or equivalent) | 3 | |
| Introduction to Sociology (SO001 or equivalent) | 3 | |
Core Courses |
Units | |
| PA200 | Organizational and Management Theory | 3 |
| PA228 | Government Budget and Finance | 3 |
| PA261 | Spatial Analysis for Policymakers | 3 |
| PA270 | Human Resource Management | 3 |
| PA280 | Leadership Concepts | 3 |
| PA292 | Public Policy and Administration (Capstone) | 3 |
| Core Total | 18 | |
| Area of Emphasis | 12 | |
| Total | 30 | |
AREAS OF EMPHASIS |
||
| The emphasis courses consist of twelve additional graduate units in one or a combination of the following areas: | ||
Human Resource Management |
Units | |
| PA215 | Conflict Management | 3 |
| PA221 PA235 |
Labor Management Relations or Recruitment, Training, and Development |
3 |
| PA285 | Managing Diversity | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | |
Public Affairs Administration |
Units | |
| PA255 | Administrative Law | 3 |
| PA265 | Contemporary Issues in Administration | 3 |
| PA285 | Managing Diversity | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | |
General Emphasis |
Units | |
| Any 12 units of electives approved by the graduate program advisor. | 12 | |
Course Descriptions
PA200 Organizational and Management Theory (3)
A systematic and experimental approach to the analysis of structural components of organizations as well as the behavior of people in them from private to public and nonprofit organizations. The purpose of the course is to provide the student with a thorough understanding of management theories, contemporary management application issues, and organizational models as they relate to organizational culture and structure.
PA215 Conflict Management (3)
Focuses on theoretical and practical analysis of principles and processes for the management of conflict in employment relationships. Provides a framework for understanding and developing skills and techniques for the identification, prevention, and resolution of conflict in workplace relationships; explores the design of effective conflict management systems in the workplace. Cross-listed with BA215.
PA221 Labor/Management Relations (3)
Stresses the managerial perspective. Labor law, union organizing, campaigns, and negotiations are studied with a view to the development of labor policies. The case method and lecture/discussions are used. Cross-listed with BA221.
PA228 Government Budget and Finance (3)
This course will focus on concepts of financial management in the public and private sectors and relates performance in public financial management to notions of public value. Both practical and theoretical dimensions of government budgeting, finances, and reporting will be explored. Cross-listed with BA228.
PA235 Recruitment, Training, and Development (3)
Focuses on staffing needs and how to meet them, interview techniques, assessment of candidate potential and placement, assessment of training needs and means of developing effective training programs, and career planning and management. Cross-listed with BA235.
PA250 Research Methodology (3)
Develops concepts and procedures relating to decision-making to achieve organizational objectives. Includes application of quantitative and non-quantitative methods to organizational situations, survey analysis, research techniques, and the use of computers and information systems in program development and evaluation. Replaced by PA261 effective Spring 2007.
PA255 Administrative Law (3)
Examines court decisions affecting administrative law. Topics include jurisdiction, venue, judicial ethics and discretion, abuses, and contemporary problems.
PA261 Spatial Analysis for Policymakers (3)
For future leaders who need spatial technology to inform business and public sector decision-making. Coursework involves geographic information systems (GIS) applications to practical problems of retail service, public works management, public safety planning and reporting, land-use planning and economic development. The course also reviews issues of how GIS can be efficiently brought into the organization to support management analysis. Cross-listed with BA261 and SY261.
PA265 Contemporary Issues in Public Administration (3)
This course investigates contemporary issues in public administration with a focus on evaluating the effectiveness of governmental policies, processes, and policy management techniques. Inclusive will be an examination of the role of society in shaping public institutions and how these institutions influence and structure public policy making and administration..
PA270 Human Resource Management (3)
Offers an overview of the full personnel function, emphasizing professional responsibilities for employment, compensation, employee and labor relations, benefits administration, legal compliance matters, and human resources planning. Cross-listed with BA220.
PA280 Leadership Concepts (3)
Gives an historical and philosophical approach to leadership, identification of personal goals and leadership behaviors in administration, and understanding group dynamics and group leadership. Techniques in time management, stress management, and resume writing are developed. The course is organized as laboratory for self-study of the individual as a leader and for development of leadership strategies. Cross-listed with SY281.
PA285 Managing Diversity (3)
Considers the specific issues concerned with managing a diverse workforce and clientele; ethnicity, class, religious beliefs, age, gender, sexual orientation, and learning or physical disabilities will be considered. Emphasis will be placed on recruitment, retention, and the culture of the workplace. Cross-listed with BA219.
PA292 Public Policy and Administration (Capstone Course) (3)
Prerequisites: PA230, 250, 270, 280, and 290
This course is used to integrate and apply the knowledge gained from previous courses with an emphasis on policy formulation, implementation and evaluation as well as ethical decision-making in public agencies.
Admission Information
Students may apply to enter the MPA program for the Fall, Spring, or Summer semesters and should meet the following requirements:
A bachelor's degree from an accredited institution
A cumulative grade-point average of 2.5 or better
Two academic and/or professional recommendations
Work experience preferred
A personal interview with the Program Director may be required
The satisfactory completion of undergraduate coursework in financial accounting, political science, psychology, and sociology
International students should also refer to the general graduate admission requirements