Master of Public Administration (MPA) Degree
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Master of Public Administration (MPA)
As society’s challenges have become more complex, the need has grown for socially conscious citizens with an avid interest in politics, foreign affairs, and public policy to step up and take a lead role in government management. National University’s Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree program will prepare you to do just that.
This curriculum focuses on how to apply traditional business skills (financial management, budgeting, research, etc.) to the unique challenges of public administration. Among the skills you’ll be taught are how to utilize critical thinking and research methods, assess new public management, analyze political influences and governmental power division, evaluate government employees and public administration strategies and decision, and synthesize grant proposal resources and approaches.
Become an Effective Leader in Government and Nonprofit Organizations.
If that sounds like a lot, you’re right, but with your MPA credentials, you’ll be prepared for a high-level position in government management at the federal, state, and local levels, as well as for senior leadership positions in nonprofit management.
The Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) accredits public and private schools, colleges, and universities in the U.S.
Course Details
Program Requirements
- 8 courses; 36 quarter units
A general survey course covering the role of the public sector manager in American society today. Studies current issues and leading concepts in the field of non-profit management.
An examination of influences affecting decisions in the urban political arena. Covers segments of the community that impact the decision-making process (i.e., employee groups, labor influences, community groups, media and other special interests). Examines the relationship between intergovernmental agencies.
An examination of the important aspects of personnel management in government, including civil service procedures, affirmative action, employee motivation and organizational development.
A practical study of graphical methods and statistical procedures specifically aimed at presenting, interpreting and solving problems related to public administration.
Role, values, and issues of public management in democratic governance, citizen participation, power structures, and professional codes of conduct.
An examination of historical development of urban planning practices and concepts, general plans and their elements in the urban community. Also discusses the use of technology in planning. Students must complete a minimum of five Public Administration courses prior to taking this course.
An exploration of current governmental fiscal management techniques and issues. Examines various types of financial and technical assistance to quasi-governmental and non-profit management organizations.
A project where students work in teams or individually under the guidance of an assigned faculty advisor. Students clarify research topics and identify data sources in preparation for the project. Students then gather data and present their research in both written and oral form to faculty and classmates. Grading is H, S, or U only. PAD 644 is two months in length.
Program Electives
- 4 courses; 18 quarter units
Students must complete four graduate courses from the following subject areas to meet the elective requirement: CJA, HUB, SCD, HRM, LED. Students who elect to have an area of specialization are not required to take additional elective requirements.
Specialization in Human Resource Management
Specialization Requirements:
- 4 courses; 18 quarter units
A comprehensive analysis of the laws and regulations, both federal and state, that impact human resources management. The course emphasizes equal employment opportunity affirmative action, health and safety, privacy of information and methods of liability prevention in employment matters. Integrated into the course are aspects of ethical considerations as related to Human Resources Management, including employer use of power, organizational business practices, and safety concerns.
A comparison and evaluation of planning, organizing, directing and monitoring of human resources planning processes, including recruiting, selecting, placing and integrating individuals within organizations. A key aspect of the course is the selection process (testing and assessment of skills and traits that influence work performance), employee orientation and integration (employee development and career planning), and aspects of performance management. The course also covers current trends in employee outsourcing.
Employee development is the responsibility of the line manager, the human resources professional, and the employee. This course provides essential managerial-level comprehension of training theory and its practical applications in the business and management environment. Students learn the functions and duties of training: trainer/developer, the identification and assessment of training needs, program design and development, selection of delivery methods and means of instruction, the implementation of training programs, and evaluation. The course integrates training and development, organizational development and career development, critical components of Human Resource Development.
This course provides an overview of the latest technology as it applies to the human resources function and its impact of human resource management administration and organizational development. The course also integrates and assesses fundamental aspects of wage, salary, benefit administration, and employee rewards and incentives as they are becoming increasingly supported by automated systems.
Degree and Course Requirements
To be awarded a Master of Public Administration, students must complete at least 54 quarter units of graduate work. A total of 13.5 quarter units of graduate credit may be granted for equivalent graduate work completed at another institution, as it applies to this degree and provided the units were not used in earning another advanced degree. Students should refer to the section on graduate admission requirements for specific information regarding application and evaluation.
For students in the Bachelor of Public Administration/BS in Criminal Justice Administration/BS in Domestic Security Management/BA Political Science/MPA transition program, the University will waive up to two public administration courses taken as part of the bachelor’s degree (see BS in Bachelor of Public Administration/Criminal Justice Administration/BS in Domestic Security Management/BA Political Science transition program), but these students must still meet the residency requirements for the MPA. The number of courses waived is dependent on the courses taken and grades earned in the transition program.
Specializations
Master of Public Administration in Human Resource Management
The Human Resource Management (HRM) specialization prepares you to manage people, their needs, and their organizational performance. Coursework focuses on recruiting, selecting, training, evaluating, and compensating employees. You’ll explore changes in the workplace — such as governmental regulations, global competition, developing technologies, and organizational transformations — and their influence on worker performance. With technical knowledge and practical skills for supporting a multicultural workforce, you’ll be ready to bring new ideas, efficient tools, and leadership skills to managing an organization’s most valuable resource: its people.
Learn MorePublic Administrators in leadership positions need advanced skills in everything from finance, accounting, auditing, and economics to strategic planning, project management, public policy, and data analysis. NU’s MPA program is designed to prepare you to utilize critical thinking and research methods, evaluate new public management, analyze political influences and governmental power division, evaluate government employees and public administration strategies and decision, and synthesize grant proposal resources and approaches.It’s possible to complete this program in 13 months or less if you have the proper prerequisite background.* By the time you graduate, you’ll be equipped with the knowledge required to manage a wide variety of public agencies and organization. Because you’ll be studying in a cohort of likeminded professionals, you’ll be building a network of professionals already working in various fields of government.
About 29,200 openings for administrative services and facilities managers are projected each year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with an annual median wage of $98,890 for administrative services and facilities managers. Operations specialties managers can make significantly more.
Clearly, senior-level public administrators with the knowledge and credentials to plan, direct, and coordinate activities that help an organization run efficiently are in demand and well compensated. Emsi Labor Analyst data* suggests that employers in public administration seek highly educated professionals, such as those who have earned a market-relevant MPA degree, to fill leadership positions, such as:
- Budget Analysts
- Accountants
- Program Managers, Specialists, and Coordinators
- Executive Directors
- Management Analysts
- City Managers
- Auditors
- Directors and Managers of Human Resources
- Project and Program Managers
- Quality and Compliance Managers
Some of the industries where MPA graduates can expect to be in demand include:
- Public Administration
- Educational Services
- Healthcare and Social Assistance
- Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
- Utilities
- Finance and Insurance
Click here to learn more about career opportunities in public administration.
SOURCE: Emsi Labor Analyst- Report. Emsi research company homepage at https://www.economicmodeling.com/company/ (Report viewed: April 6, 2022.) DISCLAIMER: The data provided is for Informational purposes only. Emsi data and analysis utilizes government sources to provide insights on industries, demographics, employers, in-demand skills, and more to align academic programs with labor market opportunities. Cited projections may not reflect local or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee actual job growth. Current and prospective students should use this data with other available economic data to inform their educational decisions.
If your goal is to move into management, improve your leadership skills, or increase your salary, one approach is pursuing a graduate degree in your field or a closely related field. Many specialized master’s degree programs offer courses and training that can advance your expertise and potential for a higher-level position; two popular examples are the Master’s in Public Administration (MPA) and Master’s in Business Administration (MBA).The MBA has long been considered a top credential in the business field, and the newer MPA adds a focus on public service. The main difference is the direction you want your career to take. Most MBA graduates tend to follow a career path that leads them into business, banking, or retail. NU’s Master’s in Public Administration is designed to prepare you follow your passion into areas affecting our communities and neighbors and positions in either public or nonprofit areas, including:
- City manager
- County administrator
- Mayor
- Director of economic development
- Executive director of a nonprofit
- Membership director
- Advocacy director
- Program director
- Grant administrator
To learn more about the difference between an MPA and an MBA degree, click here.
Because different career tracks require different knowledge and skill sets, NU’s MPA program offers an industry-relevant specialization in HR Management, which focuses on managing people, the human resource of the organization.Moving beyond common sense and good interpersonal skills, you’ll develop the knowledge to recruit, select, train, evaluate and compensate employees. You’ll also examine how changes in the workplace, such as governmental regulations, global competition, developing technologies, and organizational transformations influence the performance and productivity of workers. Technical knowledge and practical skills for dealing with a multicultural workforce offer new ideas on leadership and effective tools for managing human resource. Upon successful completion of this program, you’ll know how to:
- Complete a job analysis of a specific job to be used for recruiting, selection, performance appraisal, training, and compensation
- Develop a recruiting plan and design a selection process for recruiting, interviewing, and selecting candidates for employment for jobs within an organization
- Conduct a needs assessment and design a training program for current employees on a specific topic related to organizational goals
- Assess benefits relevant to the employee population and organizational structure, and formulate a compensation system based upon merit, knowledge, and skill acquisition
- Recognize, analyze, and effectively address ethical, legal, and safety challenges faced in the workplace, and develop methods designed to prevent employer liability
All coursework in National University’s MPA degree program can be taken online. Most online courses offer one or two live voice/visual evening sessions per week, in which instructors orally explain important concepts, visually illustrate problem-solving techniques, and respond to student questions. These sessions are recorded so that students who are unable to attend at the scheduled time can play back the video recording at a convenient time.
Program Learning Outcomes
- Utilize critical thinking and research methods relevant to public administration in a multi-cultural environment.
- Evaluate the concept of new public management within a historical context.
- Analyze the impact of political influences on the public sector decision-making process.
- Analyze the division of power within American government as established by the U.S. Constitution.
- Describe, analyze, and evaluate the various approaches to managing government employees.
- Evaluate the effectiveness of public administration strategies for dealing with the media, community, and local government agencies.
- Evaluate the impact of public administration decisions on urban planning and redevelopment.
- Synthesize resources and approaches for developing grant proposals for community programs and services.
Hear From Our Faculty
A Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree will prepare you for a high-level position in government at the federal, state, and local levels. Apply online today.
NU’s Public Safety Promise
National University, a Veteran-founded nonprofit, is proud to support public safety professionals who protect and serve our communities every day. To show appreciation, we commit to providing affordable, accessible education to all public safety professionals to advance their careers and help them reach educational goals through our Public Safety Promise Scholarship*.
To learn more about NU’s Public Safety Promise contact an enrollment advisor to discuss degree programs and scholarship options or visit https://www.nu.edu/our-university/the-university/partnerships/publicsafety/ .
*Nursing, radiation therapy, and doctoral programs are excluded from the tuition discount.
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Program Disclosure
Successful completion and attainment of National University degrees do not lead to automatic or immediate licensure, employment, or certification in any state/country. The University cannot guarantee that any professional organization or business will accept a graduate’s application to sit for any certification, licensure, or related exam for the purpose of professional certification.
Program availability varies by state. Many disciplines, professions, and jobs require disclosure of an individual’s criminal history, and a variety of states require background checks to apply to, or be eligible for, certain certificates, registrations, and licenses. Existence of a criminal history may also subject an individual to denial of an initial application for a certificate, registration, or license and/or result in the revocation or suspension of an existing certificate, registration, or license. Requirements can vary by state, occupation, and/or licensing authority.
NU graduates will be subject to additional requirements on a program, certification/licensure, employment, and state-by-state basis that can include one or more of the following items: internships, practicum experience, additional coursework, exams, tests, drug testing, earning an additional degree, and/or other training/education requirements.
All prospective students are advised to review employment, certification, and/or licensure requirements in their state, and to contact the certification/licensing body of the state and/or country where they intend to obtain certification/licensure to verify that these courses/programs qualify in that state/country, prior to enrolling. Prospective students are also advised to regularly review the state’s/country’s policies and procedures relating to certification/licensure, as those policies are subject to change.
National University degrees do not guarantee employment or salary of any kind. Prospective students are strongly encouraged to review desired job positions to review degrees, education, and/or training required to apply for desired positions. Prospective students should monitor these positions as requirements, salary, and other relevant factors can change over time.