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Graduate Catalog 2024-2025
Master of Public Administration (PUAM)
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Advisor:
Dr. Matthew S. Mingus
The School of Public Affairs and Administration seeks to improve the lives of people in West Michigan and beyond, one dedicated public service graduate at a time! We uniquely value the common good, democratic governance, ethical leadership, the intersection of theory and practice, and a plurality of ideas and perspectives while pursuing social justice and the efficient, effective, equitable, and transparent practice of public service.
The MPA program seeks to improve the quality of public service by developing professionals and leaders equipped with knowledge and skills in theories, methodology, and innovative practice in the interdisciplinary field of public administration. Our graduates lead and manage a diverse range of governmental, nonprofit, and health care organizations and make positive impacts on the lives of citizens locally, nationally, and globally.
Students must demonstrate that they have achieved competency across the following domains:
- To apply theories and techniques of leadership and management in contexts of public governance;
- To demonstrate the ability to participate in and contribute to the public policy process;
- To analyze problems, synthesize information, think critically, and make evidence-based decisions in order to solve public and collective problems;
- To articulate and apply a public service perspective focused on common good, liberty, social justice for all, and democratic governance; and
- To communicate and interact productively with a diverse and changing workforce and citizenry.
Reflecting on the multi-disciplinary nature of the field, the MPA program draws upon the talents of a diverse and multidisciplinary team of faculty within the School of Public Affairs and Administration. Faculty and other resources are also used from other academic departments or units throughout the University as well as the larger community.
Admission Requirements
Applicants to the MPA program must meet the Graduate College requirements of an undergraduate degree from an accredited college or university with an overall grade point average of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Students with an undergraduate GPA of at least 2.5 who also demonstrate a record of relevant work experience and professional advancement may be considered for conditional admission.
The following must be submitted in order to be considered for admission:
- The completed University online application for Graduate Admission, with paid application fee;
- An official transcript showing an earned undergraduate degree;
- A written statement of how the MPA will help the applicant meet their personal and career goals;
- A detailed resume including all academic, professional, and volunteer experience;
- An experience statement explaining why the applicant does or does not need the professional field experience (PADM 7120) and, if applicable, why the applicant may qualify for 3 or 6 hours of credit waivers based on work experience in public-serving organizations.
Admission decisions are based on undergraduate grade point average, any prior graduate course work, work experience, and statement of career goals. MPA admissions decisions are made on an ongoing basis and applicants are usually notified within three weeks of submitting all required application materials. To ensure admissions by the start of the semester or summer session, all admissions materials must be received by August 1, for fall admissions, December 1, for spring admissions, and April 1, for summer admissions, though earlier applications may allow for better course availability.
Note: International applicants must follow the process and timing specified by WMU’s international admissions. The School of Public Affairs and Administration (SPPA) usually makes a decision within one week of receiving materials from that office.
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MPA Program Requirements (39 hours)
The MPA curriculum provides a foundation in the principles of administration, addresses the practical responsibilities of managers and leaders, develops knowledge of program and policy analysis, and seeks to build student skill sets in these areas. The curriculum assumes that candidates already have basic computer literacy and a working knowledge of the American political processes at local, state, and national levels.
The 39-credit hour program includes four components: the Core Program, a personalized Area of Emphasis, the Capstone Portfolio, and a Professional Field Experience. In-career students (status determined upon admission based on evidence of significant administrative, programmatic, or managerial/supervisory experience in a relevant sector) will have PADM 7120 waived and based on responses contained in the “experience statement” may have either an additional 3 or 6 credit hours of coursework waived. Depending on the applicant’s specific experience this may involve waiver of specific courses, or a reduction of the hours required for the personalized Area of Emphasis. This means the required program of study for the MPA may range from 30 to 39 credit hours depending on the amount of and level of professional experience at the time of program admission. Pre-career students must complete a three-credit hour (300 contact hour) professional field experience.
1. Core Program (15 hours)
The Core Program includes course work in the theoretical foundation of public administration, critical areas of administrative functions and responsibilities, and methods of programmatic and policy analysis. Students complete each of the following five courses:
2. Area of Emphasis (18 hours)
In addition to the Core Program, each MPA student must develop and complete a personalized Area of Emphasis, which must be approved in advance by an MPA advisor. For example, a student may focus on non-profit leadership, public policy, public management (local, state, or national), local/regional development, tribal governance, human resources, and so forth. Much of this advising may happen while taking PADM 6001.
A typical area of emphasis would include a management course, a human resources or leadership course, and a budgeting or finance course, such as:
Human Resources/Leadership (3 hours):
Budgeting/Finance (3 hours):
Note:
This would ensure exposure to key administrative functions while retaining an additional 9 credit hours to develop even more depth in the student’s chosen area of emphasis. The Graduate Catalog listing of PADM courses is a great place to explore possible areas of interest, and faculty advisors are available to discuss how this program can help students advance in their chosen careers.
3. Capstone Portfolio (3 hours)
The following two course-sequence of the Capstone Portfolio is required of each MPA student regardless of their area of emphasis.
Note:
This requirement is focused on integrating the theory and pragmatic considerations studied during the MPA program to show how competency has been developed throughout the program. Enrollment in PADM 6001, usually in the first semester of the program, allows students to fully understand the nature of the portfolio requirement and develop an appropriate program plan for completing the MPA degree. Enrollment in PADM 6800, usually in the last semester of the program, provides an opportunity to develop a summative portfolio that documents mastery of the required competencies.
4. Professional Field Experience (3 hours)
For pre-career students (status determined upon admission based on evidence of significant administrative or managerial experience in a relevant sector), the fourth major component of the MPA is a planned professional field experience, or internship, equivalent to three credit hours (minimum 300 contact hours). The goal of the internship is to provide candidates with work experience, which will afford realistic exposure to the world of professional administration and to the organizational and bureaucratic environment of a public-serving agency. This requirement is usually met after at least half of the MPA coursework has been completed.
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