Public Affairs (MPA)
Overview
Public Administration is a discipline developed from the study of political science, management and law. Public administration, both as scholarly study and professional preparation is interdisciplinary substance and methodology, borrowing from economics, sociology, psychology, business and industrial engineering as well as political science and law.
The Public Policy concentration has a dual-purpose mission: to conduct research into pressing policy issues and then to share the findings with leaders and citizens in an effort to find viable solutions.
Graduates will be skilled public managers with specific expertise in one of several policy areas.
The Global Security Studies and Leadership concentration prepares students for careers in intelligence, national security and other sectors of the global economy. This program will broaden the skill sets of students through focus on advanced research, effective team communication and critical analysis. The GSSL program will prepare students to work with people from different backgrounds, abilities, and knowledge bases.
Accelerated MPA On-Line Program
The Department is also offering the public administration concentration online. This presents the opportunity to earn an advanced degree while fulfilling professional and personal obligations. This allows students to choose a course of study that best fits their educational goals. The inclusion of multiple start dates throughout the year allows students to take courses at their convenience.
Admission Requirements
To be admitted to the graduate program in public affairs, prospective candidates must first meet all requirements for graduate admission to UT Rio Grande Valley, as well as the other requirements listed below:
- Three names of individuals who may be contacted for personal or professional recommendation.
- Personal Statement detailing professional goals and reasons for pursuing the graduate degree indicating references to previous employment and experience.
Application for admission must be submitted prior to the published deadline. The application is available at www.utrgv.edu/gradapply.
Prerequisite
The students who have no public sector work experience or have taken no advanced PAFF or POLS courses must take PAFF 4300 Introduction to Public Administration to enter the MPA Public Administration concentration. Students whose academic preparation in public administration or political science is deficient may be required to do additional leveling coursework before gaining clear admission to the program in any of the three MPA concentrations
Program Requirements
Choose of the following concentrations:
Public Administration Concentration:
Required Courses (18 Credits)
| PAFF 6301 | Graduate Seminar in Public Administration | 3 |
| PAFF 6302 | Scope and Methods | 3 |
| PAFF 6303 | Policy Implementation and Program Evaluation | 3 |
| PAFF 6304 | Public Budgeting and Finance | 3 |
| PAFF 6305 | Political Leadership: Decision-Making and Management in Public Organizations | 3 |
| PAFF 6306 | Public Personnel Administration | 3 |
Electives* (9 Credits)
Choose from the following:
*Courses not located in the MPA Program electives – either the Public Administration or Public Policy track – may be considered for inclusion of up to 6 semester hours with completion of a 3.0 GPA or better based on consultation and consideration by the MPA Program Director.
Capstone Requirement (9 Credits)
Choose one of the following options:
Thesis
Or
Research Grant
Or
Capstone
| PAFF 6360 | Public Administration Internship | 3 |
| PAFF 6362 | Public Administration Capstone: Past, Present, and Future | 3 |
| | Additional Public Administration Elective | 3 |
Public Policy Concentration:
Required Courses (18 Credits)
| PAFF 6301 | Graduate Seminar in Public Administration | 3 |
| PAFF 6302 | Scope and Methods | 3 |
| PAFF 6303 | Policy Implementation and Program Evaluation | 3 |
| PAFF 6304 | Public Budgeting and Finance | 3 |
| PAFF 6305 | Political Leadership: Decision-Making and Management in Public Organizations | 3 |
| PAFF 6306 | Public Personnel Administration | 3 |
Electives* (12 Credits)
Choose from the following:
*Courses not located in the MPA Program electives – either the Public Administration or Public Policy track – may be considered for inclusion of up to 6 semester hours with completion of a 3.0 GPA or better based on consultation and consideration by the MPA Program Director.
Capstone Requirement (6 Credits)
Choose one of the following options:
Thesis
Or
Professional Report
| PAFF 7306 | Public Policy Capstone: Professional Report | 3 |
| | Additional Public Policy Elective | 3 |
Global Security Studies and Leadership Concentration:
Required Courses (18 Credits)
| PAFF 6302 | Scope and Methods | 3 |
| PAFF 6305 | Political Leadership: Decision-Making and Management in Public Organizations | 3 |
| PAFF 6330 | Public Policy Analysis | 3 |
| PAFF 6334 | Current Issues in Public Policy/Global Security | 3 |
| PAFF 6380 | Global Security | 3 |
| PAFF 6381 | Homeland Security in the U.S. | 3 |
Electives** (15 Credits)
| PAFF 6315 | Management of Governmental Information Systems | 3 |
| PAFF 6336 | Seminar in International and Development Policy | 3 |
| PAFF 6337 | Public Policies in the Mexico-U.S. Border Region | 3 |
| PAFF 6392 | Directed Research in Global Security Studies and Leadership | 3 |
| PAFF 6393 | Special Topics in Global Security Studies and Leadership | 3 |
| PAFF 6394 | Internship in Global Security Studies and Leadership | 3 |
| PAFF 6395 | Independent Study in Global Security Studies and Leadership | 3 |
**Note: Students may take six semester credit hours for elective credit outside the MPA-GSSL Program as approved by the Director.
Capstone Experience
Practicum: (3 Credits)
| PAFF 7307 | Practicum in Global Security Studies and Leadership | 3 |
Total Credit Hours: 36