Bulletin Year: Fall 2007 - Summer 2009 Graduate Bulletin | View the current NMU Catalog. | View this department in the current bulletin.

Contact Information

Address:  208 Cohodas Administrative Center
Phone:  906-227-2019
Fax:  906-227-1819
Department Email:  polisci@nmu.edu

Public Administration at NMU

The master of arts degree program in public administration (MPA) is designed for both in-service and pre-service students. MPA students will expand their theoretical understanding of the field of public administration and develop essential competency in basic methodological and technical areas. Students also select a concentration in a sub-field that will advance their career expertise. The program offers concentrations in the areas of criminal justice administration, human resource administration, state and local government, and public management.

The MPA is housed in the Political Science Department and the public administration courses are taught by political science and public administration faculty. In addition, courses from other departments augment the core requirements. This interdisciplinary approach to graduate education enables MPA students to benefit from the numerous areas of expertise and diverse perspectives represented throughout the university.

Program Requirements

Students must satisfy the designated core requirements, the requirements in their designated concentration and enroll in the PS 592 Experiential Applications Seminar.

Pre-service students (those without one year of prior relevant work experience) are required to enroll in a public administration internship. In-service students (those with one or more years of prior relevant work experience) may request exemption from the internship requirement.

Students must submit two approved file papers, and pass a written and oral comprehensive examination prior to graduation.

Admissions Requirements

Applicants are required to comply with the regular admission requirements of the College of Graduate Studies. In addition:

  1. MPA applicants must also have at least a 3.00 undergraduate GPA or a 3.00 GPA based on 12 or more semester hours of graduate work.
  2. Applicants must submit an essay explaining how the MPA will assist in the advancement of their goals.
Application materials are reviewed by the MPA director and a three-person faculty graduate screening committee.

Conditional admission will be granted to students with an undergraduate GPA of 2.75 - 3.00. Students granted conditional admission must receive a minimum grade of “B” (3.00) in each of their first three courses after admission to the program.

Applications are accepted throughout the year.

Prerequisites

 
Students should have a basic understanding of American government, familiarity with economic analysis and basic mathematical skills. In addition, some courses may require prerequisite work. The MPA director will review each student’s transcripts and record of previous work experience in determining which prerequisites will be required.

Professional Experience

Up to four credits of requirements may be waived in recognition of prior, relevant professional work experience in a particular subject area. The director of the graduate program in public administration and one faculty member will review requests for professional experience credit and make appropriate recommendations to the dean of graduate studies. The request will include a detailed job description, an employer’s evaluation of the employee’s performance, and a student essay describing how his/her work experiences provided knowledge that would have been gained in the designated course.

Plan of Study

 
Upon admission, students will consult with the program director to outline their course of study and select appropriate courses. A plan of study form must be approved before completion of 12 credits of graduate work.

Programs

Bulletin Year: Fall 2007 - Summer 2009 Graduate Bulletin | View the current NMU Catalog.