Department Chair: Michael O'Neill, Ed.D.
The Master of Public Administration (MPA) and the MPA with
an emphasis in Health Services Administration (MPA/HSA) programs provide
mid-career and aspiring professionals with an opportunity to obtain
advanced managerial education applicable to a broad range of public
sector, nonprofit, and health care organizations. The programs cover all
the significant content areas identified by the National Association of
Schools of Public Affairs and Administration (NASPAA) in its Standards
for Professional Master's Degree Programs in Public Affairs/Policy. The
program is designed to be completed in 23 months.
Learning Objectives
- To provide students with knowledge of how to apply
management theory and research to common operational, functional, and
resource issues in the public sector.
- To expand and deepen knowledge and appreciation of
the health care sector and administration.
- To develop managerial skills necessary for the
provision of services to the public.
- To examine ethical implications and responsibilities
of public managers as a foundation for understanding managerial actions.
- To learn techniques used in planning, organizing,
staffing, and evaluating the work of public agencies and to develop the
necessary skills.
- To enable students to engage in self-assessment and
goal setting for lifelong learning and continued professional growth.
Program Requirements
The MPA curriculum is comprised of 12 courses (36 credits).
The MPA program's capstone requirement is achieved by completing and
passing a written comprehensive case analysis exam during the last
course of the program (MPA 650, Integrative Seminar). Students who
select the Health Services Administration (HSA) emphasis will apply
their 6 credits of the HSA coursework toward the emphasis. Students
pursuing an emphasis in HSA take PA 660 and PA 617.
- PA 611 - Introduction to Public Management
- PA 613 - Management and Organization
- PA 620 - Administrative Ethics
- PA 670 - Quantitative Methods
- PA 636 - Human Resource Planning and Management
- PA 638 - Emerging Technologies for Public Managers
- PA 660 - Managed Care and Health Care Law
- PA 617 - Health Care Issues
- PA 623 - Economics and Finance for Public Managers
- PA 633 - Public Sector Budgeting
- PA 680 - Program and Policy Evaluation
- PA 650 - Integrative Seminar in Public Management
Degree Requirements
- Completion of all coursework with a minimum
cumulative 3.0 GPA
- Passing a comprehensive case analysis examination
during the last course
- Successful completion of all degree and concentration
requirements
Learning Outcomes
Professional level oral and written communication skills,
including ability to communicate and facilitate work processes
effectively on-line
- Knowledge of techniques to plan, evaluate and manage
programs and related skills
- Increased knowledge of technology and how it impacts
the management of public organizations
- Knowledge of various areas of and trends in public
sector economics and finance
- Knowledge and skill in various human resource
management functions
- Effective leadership and teamwork skills
- Knowledge and ability to apply quantitative research
and analytical skills
- Ability to develop and analyze budgets and to manage
organizational performance using a budget
- Knowledge and broad-based understanding of the U.S.
health care systems, legal policy, and managerial issues
