Master of Public Administration (M.P.A.)
The Rutgers–Camden M.P.A. program is committed to preparing graduates to think critically, serve and lead with empathy and understanding, and promote a democratic way of life through
civic engagement. As a critical component of a public research university,
Rutgers–Camden provides pre-service and in-service students opportunities to
learn by applying classroom and extra-mural experience to real-world governance
challenges facing Camden, the South Jersey/greater Philadelphia region, and the
world. We provide students opportunities to participate in community
outreach and conduct research, in particular through the Senator Walter Rand
Institute for Public Affairs, the Community Leadership Center, and the Center
for Urban Research and Education.
The M.P.A. degree 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 and stresses the public service values of justice, equality, diversity, and transparency. 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.
The 42-credit degree program requires students to take the common core of coursework in public policy and administration. In addition, 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 that will help qualify them for a principal's certificate. All concentrations lead to the award of an M.P.A. degree.
Executive Masters in Public Administration
The executive master's in public administration is offered in collaboration with Rutgers Center for Executive Leadership in Government. This highly selective, 42-credit program targets mid- to upper-level
managers possessing at least five years of administrative and/or
managerial experience for executive leadership positions. The executive
M.P.A. program admits students as a cohort with enrollment limited to 20
students per cohort. Courses are designed to develop and enhance
students' leadership, organizational, policy, and public management
skills. All classes are held on Saturday mornings, off campus. The
Saturday morning classes are augmented with a hybrid-learning format:
course material is also offered online. Degree requirements can be
completed in 24 months with one-week summer residencies offered over two
summers. Additionally, up to 9 credits may be awarded for
professional experience.
