2009-2010 Graduate Catalog 
    
    Mar 29, 2024  
2009-2010 Graduate Catalog [Archived]

Public Administration M.P.A.


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(36 credits minimum without internship) (39 credits when internship required)

The Program

The Public Administration Program at Indiana State University, established in 1976, exists to educate and train students dedicated to the profession of public management. The program offers the traditional master’s degree in public administration (M.P.A.). It also supports two on-line certificate programs—one in public administration and the other in public personnel administration. M.P.A. course work is offered primarily during weekday evenings. Certificate courses are offered on-line. The program is a member of NASPAA, and is also associated with the American Society for Public Administration (ASPA) and the  Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM). A full-time M.P.A. director manages the programs and advises M.P.A. and certificate students. 

Curriculum

The M.P.A. Program at Indiana State University requires a minimum of 36 graduate credit hours for mid-career public sector or nonprofit sector professionals. Students without significant public or nonprofit management experience must also complete a 3-credit, semester long internship at a site determined by the M.P.A. director in consultation with the student. A core of seven courses, or 21 credit hours, is required of all M.P.A. students. Electives may be taken from a menu of political science and public administration courses. Students may take directed courses outside the Department of Political Science with the approval of the M.P.A. director.

Electives (12 credits):


Professional Project Presentation (3 credits):


Additional required training for students without significant demonstrated work experience:


Culminating Experience:


Students will enroll in Public Administration 697, Capstone Project, toward the end of their M.P.A. programs. Capstone projects will be developed, produced, and written by students, but faculty must approve each project. Students may choose a faculty director for their projects. Each project will be professionally presented at a forum scheduled for that purpose at the end of each fall and spring semester. Both project production and presentation must be judged satisfactory (or pass) by the faculty for the degree to be awarded. Unsatisfactory projects may be presented twice more. If a project is judged unsatisfactory three times, the student will be required to re-enroll in Public Administration 697, and produce another project.

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