MA in Urban Affairs & Public Policy Fall Beginning 2011

 

Program of Study as of Fall 2011

Important Note:  Students admitted to the MA prior to Fall 2011 should refer to the curriculum on this link.

The faculty of the school of Public Policy and Administration has approved enhancements to the MA program.  The new program was implemented.

Areas of Focus

Students in the M.A. program may choose one of the initial pre-defined areas of focus:

  • Urban and Regional Planning
  • Housing and Community Development
  • Health Services Policy
  • Nonprofits and Philanthropy
  • Historic Preservation
  • Media and Public Policy

In addition, students are also free to develop their own area of focus with the advice and consent of their academic advisor.

Curriculum and Requirements

Students must complete 36 credits of course work that includes 20 credits of core curriculum. There is 10 - 13 credits of coursework that collectively define an area of focus.  As a culminating learning experience, students may write an analytical paper (3-credits) or a thesis (6-credits).  

Total Credits 36

21 credits Core Credits
9-12 credits Area of Focus Credits
3 - 6 credits Credits of Analytical Paper or Thesis
  

Core credits:

21 credits

Overview of the Field-  Students must take the following two courses (5 credits):
UAPP 619 Contemporary Issues in Urban Affairs and Public Policy  (2 cr.)
UAPP 666 Contemporary Issues in Urban Affairs and Public policy  (1 cr.)
UAPP 703 Urban Society & Public Policy (3 credits)  (3 cr.)
     
Research Skills - Students must take following two courses (6 credits):
UAPP 702 Research Methods in Urban & Public Policy  (3 cr.)
UAPP 691 Quantitative Methods for Public Policy Analysis  (3 cr.)
     
Theory -  Students must take course listed below  (9 credits):
UAPP 613
UAPP 706
Planning Theory & Urban Policy  OR
Planning for Sustainable Communities & Regions
  (3 cr.)
UAPP 693 Economics in Public & Nonprofit Sectors  (3 cr.)
UAPP 701 Public Policy  (3 cr.)

Area of Focus

9-12 credits

Depending on whether student chooses the analytical paper or thesis option (see below), students take between 9 and 12 credits of coursework that collectively define an area of focus.  Faculty will pre-define several areas that the School has strength in, but students are also free to develop their own area of focus with the advice and consent of their academic advisor.  The initial pre-defined areas of focus include:

  • Urban and Regional Planning
  • Housing & Community Development
  • Health Services Policy
  • Nonprofits & Philanthropy
  • Historic Preservation
  • Media & Public Policy

Analytical Paper or Thesis

3-6 credits

As a culminating learning experience, students may write an analytical paper (3 - credits) or a thesis (6 credits). 

How do I decide between the MA and MPA programs?

We have created a chart (in .pdf format) to help compare and contrast the two programs.