Program

Master of Public Administration (M.P.A.)

The Rutgers University-Camden M.P.A. degree prepares 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 extramural experience to real-world governance challenges facing Camden, the South Jersey/greater Philadelphia region, and the world. Students have 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 Rutgers-Camden M.P.A. degree is accredited by the Network of Schools of Public Policy, 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 policy analysis.

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 a specialization in public management or community development.

The public management specialization prepares candidates for government service and work in the nonprofit sector. The community development specialization provides students with theoretical and applied exposure to domestic and international aspects of power, policy, advocacy, and resource allocation to address urban public administration.

Students also have the option of choosing a policy focus in education policy or international public service and development as a way to structure the elective course requirement. The education policy focus is designed for students who have an interest in applying the core and specialization curricula to policy issues in the education arena. The policy focus in international public service and development is designed for students interested in pursing careers in foreign service or work with international nongovernmental organizations.

Executive Master in Public Administration

The executive master in public administration program (in South Jersey) is offered in collaboration with Rutgers Center for Executive Leadership in Government. This highly selective, 42-credit program targets mid- to upper-level managers with at least five years of administrative and/or managerial experience for executive leadership positions.

Students are admitted as a cohort each fall, and classes are held on Saturday mornings in West Windsor, New Jersey. The curriculum is designed to develop and enhance students' leadership, organizational, policy, and public management skills, with courses taught in a hybrid-learning format. Degree requirements can be completed in 24 months with one-week summer residencies offered over two summers. Up to 12 credits are awarded for relevant professional experience.