MPA Curriculum
Degree Requirements
The Master of Public Administration degree consists of 39 graduate hours, 24 of those hours being required core courses. The core courses include:
- Public Administration 701: Public and Nonprofit Governance
- Public Administration 702: Research Methods in Public Administration
- Public Administration 710: Public Sector Organizational Theory and Behavior
- Public Administration 725: Public Management of Human Resources
- Public Administration 765: Public Sector Economics
- Public Administration 802: Quantitative Methods for Public Sector Professionals
- Public Administration 865: State and Local Government Finance
- Public Administration 895: Public Decision Making
There are no prerequisites for the MPA program. Students develop a Plan of Study in consultation with and approval by their faculty advisor and the graduate coordinator. Students are encouraged to take advantage of the 15 hours of electives to tailor educational experiences to career goals. Common choices for electives emphasize public management, public finance or public policy.
A fast-track option does not exist in which a student can complete both a bachelor's degree and a Master of Public Administration degree. An undergraduate student, within 10 hours of completing their degree and with 3.0 GPA or greater, may take graduate courses during their final semester under the University's Senior Rule option.
Full-Time Students
- A typical full-time student taking 3 courses (9 credit hours) per semester can obtain
the Master of Public Administration degree in 2 years.
→ Year 1: Fall - 3 courses; Spring - 3 courses; Summer - 1 course
→ Year 2: Fall - 3 courses; Spring - 3 courses
Part-Time Students
- A typical part-time student taking 2 courses (6 credit hours) per semester can obtain the Master of Public Administration degree in 3 years.
- A part-time student taking 1 course (3 credit hours) per semester can obtain the Master of Public Administration degree in 5 years.
Internships
Students with limited work experience in the public sector are encouraged to consider
an internship as part of their MPA program. Intern positions are remunerative and
awarded on a competitive basis.
Deadlines
- The Master of Public Administration degree is designed for students to begin study in the fall semester.
- The deadline for departmental financial aid is Febuary 15.
- The deadline for degree/certificate applications for fall semester admission is April 1.
- Admission to begin study in the spring semester is considered on an exceptional basis and class availability. The deadline for spring semester admission is November 1.
Curriculum
The Master of Public Administration degree draws upon the methods and perspectives of the social and behavioral sciences, economics and the humanities. The link between these disciplines and the challenges of public management are emphasized through the use of practitioners in the classroom, policy-relevant research assignments, public affairs seminars and internships.
Teaching faculty have significant professional experience in state and local government and are engaged in cutting-edge research relevant to public and nonprofit organizations in Kansas. This experience allows faculty to bring pertinent perspectives on public management into the classroom.
Contact
Bethany Kennedy, Student Services Coordinator
Wichita State University Hugo Wall School of Public Affairs
bethany.kennedy@wichita.edu
(316) 978-7240
