Master of Public Administration (834)
The master of public administration (M.P.A.) degree requires all students to: 1) satisfactorily
complete 42 credits of coursework with a minimum cumulative grade-point
average of 3.0 (no more than 6 credits with a grade of C or C+ are
allowed); and 2) satisfactorily complete all requirements in a specialization.
The 42 credits of coursework are divided into required core courses, and courses for specializations, electives, internships, or research requirements. The mix of courses a student takes is determined by the specialization selected, and whether the student chooses the option of a policy focus in education policy or international public service and development.
Students may enroll in elective courses through the Rutgers Law School in Camden, the School of Business-Camden, and other departments at Rutgers University-Camden, Rutgers University-New Brunswick, and Rutgers University-Newark with prior permission from the M.P.A. graduate director and the school or department in which the proposed elective is to be taken.
Core Curriculum
All students in the M.P.A. program must complete 42 credits including a set of core courses. For those specializing in public management or community development (see below), the core curriculum consists of the following seven courses:
56:834:501 Foundations of Policy Analysis (3)
56:834:503 Law and Public Policy (3)
56:834:515 Introduction to Public Budgeting and Finance (3)
56:834:525 Public and Nonprofit Management (3)
56:834:535 Research Methods (3)
56:834:557 Human Resources Management (3)
56:834:675 Research Workshop (3) (prerequisite: all core courses)
Specializations
All students must choose one of three specializations:
Public Management (PM) Specialization
The
public management specialization is designed to provide public and nonprofit managers or those preparing for service in the public sector with essential
knowledge and skills in administration, budgeting and finance,
communications, information systems, law, leadership, personnel, and
policy analysis that are important for effective management in local,
state, and federal agencies or nonprofit organizations.
In addition to the core courses, students specializing in public management take:
56:834:505 Organizational Behavior (3)
56:834:536 Public Management Information Systems (3)
56:834:553 Financial Management of Public Programs (3)
Community Development (CD) Specialization
The
community development specialization is designed to provide students
with theoretical and applied exposure to domestic and international
aspects of power, policy, advocacy, and resource allocation to address
issues in urban public administration.
In addition to the core courses, students specializing in public management take:
56:834:603 Theory and History of Community Development (3)
56:834:606 Poverty Alleviation Strategies (3)
56:834:608 Geographic Information Systems in the Public Sector (3)
Optional Policy Focus within the PM and CD Specializations:
In addition, students may opt for a policy focus in one of two areas: education policy and international public service and development. A policy focus is a way to structure the M.P.A. elective course requirement.
To complete the education policy focus, students take:
56:834:549 Curriculum Leadership (3)
56:834:546 Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Education (3)
56:834:547 Creating a Culture of Continuous Improvement (3)
One additional education policy or leadership course (if not required to take an internship)
To complete the international public service and development policy focus, students take:
56:834:556 International Negotiations (3)
56:834:616 International Economic Development (3)
56:834:670 International Conflict and Conflict Resolution (3)
One additional international policy course (if not required to take an internship)
Internship for the PM and CD Specializations
Unless waived for relevant work experience, students specializing in public management or community development must complete a one-semester internship.
56:834:541 Internship I (3)
Education Leadership (EL) Specialization
The education leadership specialization is available for experienced teachers and education administrators who display the potential and motivation necessary to assume responsibilities as school principals. The course of study includes rigorous coursework, seminars, and a one-year internship under the supervision of a qualified mentor principal and a Rutgers faculty mentor. Upon completion of the program, successful participants will have earned an M.P.A. degree with an educational leadership certification, and will have fulfilled the requirements for a certificate of eligibility as school principal, including completion of the written examination administered by the Education Testing Service (ETS) and the required assessment incorporated into the program through the administration of the PROFILOR (offered directly through Rutgers University-Camden).
The core curriculum for the education leadership specialization consists of the following seven courses:
56:834:501 Foundations of Policy Analysis (3)
56:834:515 Introduction to Public Budgeting and Finance (3)
56:834:525 Public and Nonprofit Management (3)
56:834:535 Research Methods (3)
56:834:557 Human Resources Management (3)
56:834:600 Education Law and Finance (3)
56:834:621 Educational Leadership (3) (prerequisite: all core courses)
In addition, students take four education leadership specialization courses:
56:834:522 Educational Supervision of Instruction (3)
56:834:536 Public Management Information Systems (3)
56:834:548 Developing Curriculum for Deep Learning (3)
56:834:558 Executive Leadership and Communication Skills (3)
As noted above, students specializing in education leadership must complete a 300-hour professional internship.
56:834:544 Education Leadership Internship II (6)
An additional elective (3 credits) completes the program.
All students complete the Research Workshop and the writing of a capstone paper in their final semester.
Executive M.P.A. Program - South Jersey (831)
Students with the requisite work experience who are admitted to the executive M.P.A. program take the seven courses of the core M.P.A. curriculum listed above, plus three more: Organizational Behavior, Public Management Information Systems, and Executive Leadership and Communication Skills, for a total of 10 courses. The program utilizes a
cohort model in which students move through the program together as a class. Classes meet on Saturday mornings in West Windsor, New Jersey, and courses are offered in a hybrid learning format.
