MPA-Public Administration

INTRODUCTION

Public Administration involves the study of the management of governmental and not for profit entities. It is the who, when, where and how policies are formulated, implemented, and evaluated. It is where campaign promises are carried out (or not). Gannon University’s Master of Public Administration Program provides students with the tools they need to be able to be successful as a public administration professional and can be completed on a full or part time basis.

Public administration is a rapidly changing field where new ways of doing things are continually proposed and where politics and values are always in flux. Public administrators are held to high standards to be accountable, to be ethical, to be efficient and effective, and to be responsive to their constituents. Recent dramatic changes in the worlds of politics, government, international relations, not-for-profits, and the private sector have cast a new light on the importance of leadership within the public sector.

The urgency for leadership studies and development has never been greater. A commitment to instilling qualities of leadership in students lies at the heart of a Gannon University education. That long-standing focus on leadership has become even more intense through development of new academic programs and scholarships that will uniquely position Gannon graduates to take leadership roles in fields that will be most in demand in the next century. Governments, agencies, foundations, and authorities are seeking highly motivated individuals with communication, critical analysis, marketing, finance, strategic planning abilities, grant writing experience, program development capabilities, organizational skills, and the ability to solve problems creatively.

Gannon is a student-oriented, value-centered teaching university. This philosophy guides our approach to teaching, advising, and designing our curriculum. We work closely with students on an individual basis, challenging students to grow while ensuring they meet their personal objectives. Courses are rigorous and challenging by design, but we work with students to build the skills they need for the world of the new millennium.

What are the origins of public administration? How has public administration evolved and changed? What motivates human behavior? What are the differences and similarities between public, private, and nonprofit management? What are the various theories of organization? What is the science of “muddling through”? How are policies formulated and implemented? What is strategic planning and how is it done? How are budgets and financial statements created? How do we evaluate programs? What role do ethical considerations play in public administration and what tools exist to help “good people make tough choices”? These are some of the questions that students will grapple with during time studying the field of public administration at Gannon.

Our central location to city, county, state, and federal government offices makes Gannon University a virtual public administration laboratory. Our close proximity allows for continuous interaction with government and agency leaders who visit classes on a regular basis and often serve as instructors themselves. This is a program in which real world case studies are often the focus of seminar deliberations and class projects. In addition, internship opportunities abound. This practical experience adds balance to academic life.

MISSION OF THE MPA PROGRAM

Gannon’s MPA program:

• Prepares its graduates to be competent administrators, professionals and leaders in public and nonprofit organizations, domestically and internationally.

• Educates socially responsible world citizens through civic and community engagement and innovation and develops a worldview by infusing international perspectives and activities into the curriculum.

• Is dedicated to emphasizing public service values such as public interest, efficiency, effectiveness, democratic representation and participation, equity, diversity, sustainability, and accountability.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

• A Bachelor’s degree in any discipline from an accredited college or university

• A completed application for admission

• Transcripts from all prior institutions attended

• TOEFL or IELTS scores if English is not a first language

• Students may also be offered “Provisional Acceptance” if their GPA is a minimum of 2.7. Provisional acceptance requires students to earn a minimum of a 3.0 average in the first three Core classes completed in the program within two consecutive semesters. If a student does not earn a minimum grade of “B” in each of the first 9 credits, they will not be permitted to register for further MPA courses.

• Three letters of recommendation

While applications may be submitted at any time, Gannon reviews applications on a rolling basis. Please contact our admissions representative to discuss details about our next start date and how to apply. Students must complete the application process prior to the start date of a given session.

INTERNSHIPS AND COOPERATIVE EDUCATION

In consultation with the Director of Graduate Programs, students may accept field placements related to their interests and academic studies. Placements range from short-term assignments to fulltime positions. If students are looking for experience, internships complement book learning and classroom lectures and are also a great resume builder. If interested, students can consult the Director of Graduate Programs. In some circumstances, elective credits are awarded for these placements.

STEM DESIGNATION

Gannon University’s MPA program is a STEM designated graduate program.

WHAT IS A STEM DESIGNATED DEGREE PROGRAM?

A STEM designated degree program is an academic program that falls under one or more of the approved categories from the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The DHS has a published list of programs that can be classified as STEM designated which can be viewed online.

WHAT DOES THE STEM DESIGNATION MEAN?

The programs in the STEM designated list have been recognized by the government for their focus on science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) topics. The STEM designation also has special implications for international students who are studying in the United States on a student F-1 visa. For most international students, there is an opportunity to complete work experience following the completion of their degree through a program called Optional Practical Training (OPT). The standard duration for OPT is 12 months. However, if the student has completed a STEM approved program, OPT can be extended by as much as 24 months for a total of 36 months. For any clarification of the I-20 purpose, please contact Gannon University’s Office of Global Admissions and Outreach.

CURRICULUM REQUIREMENTS

The MPA is a professional degree program. Each student begins studies with a wide variety of academic and work backgrounds. As such, the design of the curriculum is dependent upon your experiences and academic background. The MPA curriculum requires 36 credits and is outlined as follows:

• Core Curriculum (27 credits) - This series is designed to give you the basic principles and theories of public administration along with the necessary skills to help students succeed in public administration.

• Concentration (9 credits)

  • Global Public Administration (GPA)

  • Nonprofit Organization and Management

  • Custom Concentration - tailored to the scholarly or professional development needs of the student. In this concentration, a student can take any three graduate courses (9 credits) offered by Gannon University, with the approval of both the MPA program director as well as the program director of the "home" program director (i.e., where concentration courses are offered).

The MPA program is fully face to face on ground program.

Students should consult with the Program Director to determine a systematic plan including their choice of electives and a research project given their prior course work, their areas of interest, and their future career plans.

MPA 4+1 Plus Program

Senior undergraduate students at Gannon University can join the 4+1 Master of Public Administration (MPA) Program. Undergraduate students may take up to four 3-credit MPA graduate courses in their senior year. To complete the remaining graduate coursework in one calendar year, students must enroll in the summer semester immediately following graduation. For all inquiries, please contact the MPA program director.