Public Affairs with a Concentration in Public Administration (MPA)
Overview
The Masters of Public Affairs with a concentration in Public Administration seeks to develop the next generation of public servants and leaders in search of the public good. With an interdisciplinary approach toward knowledge and skills required for public administration, this concentration provides its students with multi-level organizational approaches to provide, through collective action, innovative solutions to some of the biggest problems addressed in modern societies. At the same time, the concentration explores areas of scholarship in theory and practice that can lead to the pursuit of a PhD in governance studies, public affairs, community innovation, and leadership studies, as well as to careers in local, regional, state and federal government.
An accelerated online version of the program is also available. Students are not allowed to alternate enrollment in accelerated and traditional program courses.
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. Please provide:
- 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.
Program Requirements
Required Courses - 18 Hours
| 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 Sector Human Resources | 3 |
Prescribed Electives – 12 Hours
Non-thesis Option
Capstone - 6 Hours
| PAFF 6364 | Masters of Public Affairs Capstone | 3 |
| Any PAFF course | |
Thesis Option
Thesis - 6 Hours
Total Credit Hours: 36