PROGRAM OVERVIEW
What can an MPA Program do for you?
Subjects commonly covered in MPA Programs
Why choose the UofU MPA Program?
What can an MPA Program do for you?
Many people are uncertain what a Master of Public Administration curriculum involves, and what the degree can do for them. MPA programs exist in all states and in many countries around the world. The degree attracts people who aspire to work, or are already working, in government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and businesses that interact closely with governments. It is considered a valuable degree for those seeking advancement into supervisory, managerial, analyst, and support-staff positions. The MPA curriculum includes a variety of subjects that are interdisciplinary in nature, and focused on professional practices. Accordingly, students from all majors and professional backgrounds (with a bachelors degree) are eligible for admission to the MPA Program.
Subjects commonly covered in MPA Programs:
- Administrative theory & practice
- Organizational behavior and change
- Legal and political context of public management
- Public policy analysis & program evaluation
- Public human resources management
- Public budgeting & finance
- Ethical foundations of public administration
- Research design and methods of inquiry
- Concentration fields or areas of specialization such as nonprofit management, local government management, budgeting & finance, human resources management, and many others.
Students completing the MPA degree can look forward to greatly enhanced prospects for employment at all levels of government, as well as for promotion, lateral transfers, and career changes across public, nonprofit, and private sectors.
"The MPA program gave me the education I needed to be able to work better with
my board and the community. Especially helpful were my courses on financial
management and human resources for nonprofits. Through the MPA experience I
have been able to become an effective leader in the nonprofit sector, making a
difference in the cancer community each day."
Jill Angerbauer, MPA
Executive Director
Cancer Wellness House
Why choose the UofU MPA Program?
- Its Reputation for Excellence: The UofU MPA program is ranked in the top 17% of public administration and public affairs programs in the most recent U. S. News & World Report rankings. This ranking reflects high respect for a program with a long tradition of excellence. Established in the 1970s, it is now recognized as a premier program for public servants. Its alumni are employed in hundreds of agencies and nonprofit organizations all over the United States and the world. Many are now agency heads, division chiefs, program directors, senior analysts, and some are elected politicians.
- Nonprofit Concentration: The UofU MPA offers the most extensive nonprofit management concentration in the region. Over one-third of currently enrolled students come from nonprofit organizations, or aspire to work in them. Other areas of concentration include local government management, public policy analysis, public human resources management, and environmental policy. Many students tailor their own concentrations in consultation with their advisers.
- Joint-Degree Options: The UofU MPA Program offers a number of joint degree programs that save up to one year of full-time study. These include joint a MPA/JD, MPA/MSW, MPA/PhD in Social Work, MPA/PhD in Education Leadership & Policy, and a new MPA/Master of Health Administration program.
- Economical Education: Compare the cost of tuition and fees for MPA programs around the country, and you will find that the University of Utah MPA is a great deal! Full-time enrollment (nine credit hours) in our evening program currently costs $2,411.50 per semester in tuition and fees. Executive Cohort students pay $3554.50 per semester of full-time study, which includes expenses for the Washington D.C. Seminar.
- Caters to Practitioners and Non-traditional Students: All core courses and many concentration courses are offered on weekday evenings, usually from 6-9 pm. Most Executive-cohort classes are offered on weekends (Friday nights and Saturdays). About 80% of the MPA students are mid-career professionals. This offers great advantages to traditional “pre-service” students looking for contacts that eventually result in hiring.
- Broadly Trained and Experienced Faculty: The faculty combine high academic qualifications with years of experience in the field. All regular faculty possess PhDs from highly respected universities, and publish in the best journals in their fields. Many of them also have experience working in public agencies and nonprofit organizations, and continue to consult or advise on a regular basis. Highly experienced practitioners with advanced graduate degrees are also employed to teach courses related to their expertise.
- Active Alumi Network: The UofU MPA faculty maintain active relationships with MPA graduates who currently work in public agencies and nonprofits. A variety of events are scheduled each year to bring alumni together with current students and faculty. The alumni also help the faculty evaluate the relevance of course subjects, and they are always looking for opportunities to hire promising MPA students. Many UofU MPA students find jobs through alumni contacts.
- Active Student Association: The MPA Student Association is very active in helping students complete all requirements for the degree by sponsoring or providing orientation sessions, tutorials and discussion sessions on various requirements, service-learning opportunities, and social events that foster collegiality and encouragement.