Public Administration

Courses for the MPA program are listed in our digital Graduate Catalog.

View Masters Courses

The MPA requires either 36 or 38 credits, depending on whether or not a student has agency or educational administrative experience. Students who have such experience complete the 36 credit program; students who do not have experience are required to complete a fieldwork course which adds an additional two credits to their program. The curriculum consists of eight required core courses (21 credits) and five elective courses (15 credits) which give students the option of choosing an area of specialization if they so desire. Two of the required courses (3 total credits) are related to the capstone project, which is developed across the first year of the program.

Students with no previous agency experience are required to complete PUAD 590 Fieldwork in Public and Community Services Administration (2 credits), a 100 contact hour field experience during the second, third or fourth semester. This is scheduled individually and will bring the total program to 38 credits.

The MPA program is designed to be a part-time program for working adults. All classes meet for full days on weekends, with each course consisting of five class sessions. Students become part of a group that meets on Saturdays and remains together for the duration of the program. Core courses relate to the needs of those intending to serve in administrative and managerial roles in health care, non-profit, and criminal justice organizations.

Elective courses include public sector budgeting and accounting, legal and regulatory issues, computer applications, and specialty topics in health care, non-profit, and criminal justice management. Students who follow the prescribed course sequence can expect to complete the program in 15 months, including two summers of academic work.

Students are required to travel to Alfred University to attend class once during the completion of this program. Campus visits are for one week during the summer. Campus housing is available to students and Alfred University and CITE assist students in making arrangements. Costs associated with these visits are not included in the cost of tuition. Information about housing and transportation is distributed to accepted students.

Individuals who do not have previous public administration experience are required to complete a 100 contact-hour, two-credit field experience at a health care, criminal justice, or non-profit agency that fits their interest area. Students who have previous experience have the option of pursuing a field experience if they desire to broaden their experience in public administration, but are not required to do so. See sequence of courses.