The Department of Public Policy and Administration graduate program offers multidisciplinary professional education in management and public policy to prepare people for careers in government, international development, nonprofit organizations, and education. The master of public administration (M.P.A.) degree program is accredited by the National Association for Schools of Public Affairs and Administration. The program provides students a firm foundation in both public administration and public policy. Toward this end, the core curriculum emphasizes managerial professionalism, leadership, decision making, analytic skills, substantive knowledge, and ethics, as well as specific competencies in such areas as public finance and information systems.
In addition to the common core of coursework in public policy and administration, all students must select one of four concentrations: public management, international public service and development, community development, or education policy and leadership. The public management concentration is geared toward government service or work in the nonprofit sector. The international public service and development program is designed for those seeking career opportunities in the fields of international development policy and administration. This program is a more specialized course of study that includes overseas service in the Peace Corps or work in an international development organization. The community development concentration is designed to provide students with theoretical and applied exposure to domestic and international aspects of power, policy, advocacy, and resource allocation to address urban public administration. The education policy and leadership concentration is designed for certified teachers seeking to upgrade their management and leadership skills and to obtain a degree which will help qualify them for a principal's certificate. All concentrations lead to the award of an M.P.A. degree.
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