Public Administration - M.P.A. Download to print

The Master of Public Administration (M.P.A.) is designed for students wishing to become policy analysts, managers and executives within public and nonprofit organizations. The degree is offered fully online. Each online course utilizes a mix of web-based instruction supported by audio and video technologies direct to the respective student's home.

The M.P.A. program consist of theoretical and applied coursework designed to equip the graduate with the requisite analytical and critical skills necessary to serve the public interest and advance in their career tracks.

Official transcript(s), 3.00 undergraduate GPA, GRE scores, a goal statement, current resume, three letters of recommendation and a writing sample. The writing sample, preferably a paper completed in undergraduate school should be single authored and exemplify the critical thinking skills of the applicant and include full citations.

All applicants must submit GRE scores whether or not they possess another graduate degree or are transferring from another graduate degree program that did not required the GRE for admission.

Applicants whose undergraduate GPA is higher than 3.00, but revised GRE scores are slightly lower than 150 on the verbal or quantitative sections, or the applicants whose GRE scores are higher than 150 on the verbal or quantitative sections, but whose undergraduate GPA is lower than 3.00 may be admitted conditionally providing other supporting materials are strong.

International applicants whose country of origin's language is not English, must also submit minimum proficiency scores of any of the following: TOEFL (paper-based) 550; TOEFL (internet-based) 79; IELTS 6.5; MELAB 80.

At any time during their M.P.A. program, or after their initial admission, students may transfer in a maximum of 12 semester hours (4 courses) of graduate coursework towards their M.P.A. degree. Transferring in of courses is conditional on the following criteria: (1) the course is graduate level from another accredited university; (2) the course is equivalent to the Kent State M.P.A. program course for which the applicant is seeking to receive credit. This is assessed by the M.P.A. coordinator and requires the submission of the formal course syllabus; (3) official transcripts indicating a grade of B or better (A=4.0); and (4) the submission of a Request for Transfer of Graduate Credit form (available upon request).

For more information about graduate admissions, please visit the Graduate Studies website.

The M.P.A. degree program is designed to be completed in two years of full-time coursework, or three and a half years, part-time. Full-time is nine hours of coursework (three courses) per semester.

The degree requires the completion of 36-39 semester hours of coursework (12-13 courses). The three semester hour difference is dependent upon whether the student is required to complete a formal field internship placement of three hours, or not. Generally, students with current or previous administrative level experience are exempt from the internship requirement.

The 36-39 hours are divided into: eight core courses, three elective courses of the student's choice, a formal field placement internship (if required) and a final integrative capstone course.

Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs and Administration (NASPAA)
1029 Vermont Avenue, NW, Suite 1100
Washington, DC 20005
202-628-8965
www.naspaa.org