MPA Program Specializations For Students Entering September 2010

The MPA Program Specializations information on this page is valid for students entering the MPA Program September 2010.

Use this Link to view MPA Program Specializations information valid for students entering the MPA Program prior to September 2010.

Focusing on topics in the field

Students may choose from one of the following specialization areas:

Nonprofit Management
Public Management
Policy and Program Development (Coordinated by Faculty Member)
Student Designed Specialization (With Approval of Faculty Advisor

Public Management

Description

The Public Management specialization prepares students for managerial positions in all levels and areas of government. Students seeking to prepare for administrative positions with federal agencies or leading local/state departments, including advancing to management positions within those organizations, will find this area appropriate. This specialization provides course work in a variety of management, analytical, fiscal and technology skills.

This specialization prepares students for careers in all aspects of public service, but with particular emphasis on governmental operations and the management of federal, state and local agencies.

Research and Public Service Center Affiliation(s)

Students selecting the Public Management specialization are often affiliated with the Institute for Public Administration (IPA), the Center for Community Research and Service (CCRS), or the Health Services Policy Research Group. They may also be associated with other centers affiliated with the School.

Specialization Courses

In addition to the MPA core requirements, students are required to take at least 9 credit hours of coursework within the area of specialization:

UAPP 668 - Government Budgets and Fiscal Federalism

UAPP 684 - Performance Management

UAPP 664 - Case Studies in State and Local Management (in second year of fulltime study)

Beyond this, students are encouraged to choose an additional 3-6 credit hour focus area that supports their overall field of study. For example, a student specializing in Pubic Management might take a focus in community development depending on their related career goals and interests. The increasing frequency with which practitioners 'sector hop' between government and nonprofit service while varying their professional activities within those organizations make this specialization particularly relevant to a large portion of students.

Nonprofit Management

Description 

The Nonprofit Management specialization prepares students for leadership roles with institutions working in the areas of local and community-based economic development, housing, poverty, urban and neighborhood planning and governance, as well as for roles as managers and leaders of nonprofit organizations.

This specialization prepares students to meet the needs of a growing segment of graduate students seeking careers in public service, but not necessarily in public sector or governmental organizations. Such career options could include nonprofit advocacy, fundraising/development and nonprofit communications.

Research Center Affiliation 

The Nonprofit Management specialization is supported by the active research and public service programs of several research centers including the Center for Community Research and Service (CCRS) and the Center for Disability Studies (CDS). Frequently research assistants who choose Nonprofit Management as their specialization work on projects through the centers noted above.

Specialization Courses

In addition to the MPA core requirements, students are required to complete 9 credit hours of coursework within the area of specialization.

UAPP 672 Nonprofit Organizations: Scope, Framework and Dynamics (3)

UAPP 673 Governing Nonprofit Organizations (3)

UAPP 674 Strategic Fundraising and Marketing for Nonprofits

Beyond this, students are encouraged to choose an additional 3-6 credit hour focus area that supports their overall field of study. For example, a student specializing in Nonprofit Management might take a focus in housing, community development, or health, depending on their related career goals and interests.

Policy and Program Development

Description

The Policy and Program Development specialization allows students, in collaboration with an MPA faculty member, to select a policy-based area of study offered either by the MPA Program or in collaboration with other academic units across the campus. The specific policy areas have been developed by MPA faculty members and approved by a committee chaired by the MPA director and include course work linked to the study of the policy process, types of policy, means and methods to evaluate policy, and practical application of policy alternatives. A three-credit gateway course (UAPP 667 - Public Policy Management in the US) is supplemented with at least 6 additional course credits within the specific policy area.

This specialization prepares students for career options that intertwine policy and program development with agency management and operations. It may also be a good choice for those contemplating continuing their graduate education beyond the master's level. Examples include disaster management, finance, education and planning.

Research Center Affiliation

Students selecting the Policy and Program Development specialization may be affiliated with research centers or institutes within the School of Public Policy and Administration or other centers across the University. Actual affiliations will depend on the policy area and availability of opportunities.

Specialization Courses

In addition to the MPA core requirements, students are required to take at least 9 credit hours of coursework within the area of specialization. Three credits are derived from the gateway course (UAPP 667) and an additional six credits as listed for the specific area:

UAPP 667- Public Policy and Management in the US

Area of Specialization Course

Beyond this, students are encouraged to choose an additional 3-6 credit hour focus area that supports their overall field of study and professional interests. For example a student specializing in Policy and Program Development might consider a focus that would add depth in a specific field like financial management or policy analysis. Another option would be to pursue course work form the Public Management or Nonprofit Management specialization areas.

Student Designed Specialization

Description 

The Student Designed specialization allows students, with the approval of their faculty advisor and the MPA director, to formulate a specialized program of study related to their unique academic and professional interests. Proposals for a student designed specialization must demonstrate a clear and relevant relationship to the field of public administration/management, organizational leadership, public policy or advocacy in the public interest and must identify at least nine credits of specialization-related graduate course work.

This specialization prepares students for a wide array of career options and may be a good choice for those contemplating continuing their graduate education beyond the master's level. Examples could range from sports management or health promotion to children's advocacy issues.

Research Center Affiliation

Students selecting the Student Designed specialization may be affiliated with research centers or institutes within the School of Public Policy and Administration, other centers across the University or relevant off-campus organizations.

Specialization Courses

Beyond this, students are encouraged to choose an addtional 3-6 credit hour focus area that supports their overall field of study and professional interests. For example, someone specializing in a Student Designed Specialization might take a focus that would add depth area like financial management or policy analysis. Another option would be to pursue course work in one of the other specialization areas like Public Management or Nonprofit Management.