Public Administration, MPA

Contact: MPA Program Coordinator
Department of Political Science & International Affairs
402 Bartow Avenue, Mail Box #2205
Kennesaw, Georgia 30144-5591
Office: (470) 578-7869
Fax: (470) 578-9152
email: mpa@kennesaw.edu
Web address: http://mpa.hss.kennesaw.edu/

The Master of Public Administration (MPA) is a professional degree that prepares persons interested in public service for administrative and leadership positions in governmental agencies and nonprofit organizations. The program’s student and teaching-oriented faculty seek to contribute to the development of professional individuals with an ethos of public service values by providing them with a combination of solid academic learning and concrete practical experiences. The MPA Program is located in the Department of Political Science and International Affairs. The Program works in cooperation with a number of other departments as well as the A. L. Burruss Institute of Public Service that provides community services and technical assistance to nonprofit and public organizations in Georgia.

Accreditation

The Master of Public Administration Program is formally accredited by Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA).

General Requirements for Admission to the MPA Program

MPA Program admission requires:

A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university with at least 2.75 grade point average;
Submission of an application to the Office of Graduate Admissions and a non-refundable application fee; International students must also provide satisfactory TOEFL or IETLS scores;
Scores from a standardized graduate admission test, such as GRE, MAT, GMAT or LSAT. Request that your scores be sent electronically to KSU. -OR- Obtain an admissions test waiver. Go to http://mpa.hss.kennesaw.edu/resources/ for the waiver request form.
Submit a statement of purpose essay of approximately 1,000 words addressing the following questions: “In what way do you expect the Master of Public Administration degree to affect or enhance your career goals and aspirations?
A current résumé;
Two letters of recommendation from faculty or work supervisors with direct knowledge of the applicant that address the applicant’s potential for graduate study and use of an MPA degree.

Students are admitted to the program based upon an overall review of all credentials including any work and community service experience that indicates potential success in graduate work and in professional public service.

Transfer Credit

Up to nine semester hours of graduate work from other accredited institutions may be transferred. To be transferred, course work from other institutions must correspond to Kennesaw State University’s MPA curriculum. Students will need to provide course descriptions and syllabi wherever possible, and the amount of credit granted will be at the discretion of the program director. Such course work may be no more than five years old.

Grades

Expectations for satisfactory graduate level student performance are detailed in Academic Policies section of this catalog.

Petition to Graduate

MPA candidates must petition to graduate at least one semester prior to completion of their degree requirements.

Program of Study

The MPA Program is a 36 semester-hour course of study that consists of three components: A 7-course core curriculum required of all students (21 hours); a 4-course concentration of the student’s choice (12 hours); and a professional exercise (3 hours). Students will be required to participate in a program assessment exercise prior to graduation.

Core Curriculum (21 Credit Hours)

The core curriculum ensures that every MPA graduate is versed in both the theory and practice of this professional field. Courses include the history and values of democratic administration, the institutions and individuals that comprise it, and the tools used to achieve the goals of such administration.

Concentrations (12 Credit Hours)

The concentration courses enable students to prepare themselves for professional careers in the public nonprofit sectors. Students may choose one of the following concentrations, or a combination of courses to total 12 credit hours.

Government Administration

Required:

PAD 7455:Administrative Law

Select three of the following:

Information Systems Administration

IS 8100:Advanced IT Project Management
IS 8700:Information Systems Policy and Strategy
Students will select one other graduate IS or MPA course, or other graduate course approved by the program director.

Nonprofit Administration

Required:

Select two of the following:

MPA Professional Exercises (3 Credit Hours)

Students are required to select one of the following with the consent of the program director:

Program Total (36 Credit Hours)

Special Notes:

Kennesaw State University offers qualified students the opportunity to apply for a dual option MBA/MPA Program. MBA-MPA is a dual degree with the Coles College of Business and the College of Humanities and Social Sciences. To be admitted into the dual degree program, the applicant must specify the option at the time of application to the Graduate School. Students interested in applying for the dual degree option MBA/MPA Program should consult with either the MPA Director or MBA Director with regard to the admission requirements and required courses.