Public Affairs with a Concentration in Public Policy (MPA)

Overview

The Masters of Public Affairs with a concentration in Public Policy provides students with the analytical skills and knowledge to tackle highly complex policymaking processes in convergence with multiple perspectives, sectors, and disciplines. Our program’s location on the US-Mexico border enables students of public policy to immerse themselves in the analysis of transboundary problems utilizing quantitative and qualitative methods which will help them better understand border issues such as migration, health, energy and the environment. The concentration provides a deeper understanding of decision-making processes, the role of knowledge, its organization and governance to facilitate and accelerate societal transitions and transformations. Students in this concentration will engage with inter and transdisciplinary viewpoints that will afford them a well-informed view of policy making and analysis at the local, regional, national and international levels.

Graduates will be skilled public managers with specific expertise in one of several policy areas.

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:

  1. Three names of individuals who may be contacted for personal or professional recommendation.
  2. 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 6302Scope and Methods

3

PAFF 6303Policy Implementation and Program Evaluation

3

PAFF 6305Political Leadership: Decision-Making and Management in Public Organizations

3

PAFF 6330Public Policy Analysis

3

PAFF 6331Qualitative Methods in Public Policy

3

PAFF 6337Public Policies in the Mexico-U.S. Border Region

3

Prescribed Electives – 12 Hours

Choose five from the following:

PAFF 6301Graduate Seminar in Public Administration

3

PAFF 6304Public Budgeting and Finance

3

PAFF 6306Public Sector Human Resources

3

PAFF 6314Formulation of Public Policy

3

PAFF 6315Management of Governmental Information Systems

3

PAFF 6332Environmental Policy

3

PAFF 6333Seminar in Health Care Policy

3

PAFF 6334Current Issues in Public Policy/Global Security

3

PAFF 6336Seminar in International and Development Policy

3

PAFF 6350Introduction to Urban Planning

3

PAFF 6363Internship

3

PAFF 6374Directed Research

3

PAFF 6375Special Topics

3

PAFF 6380Global Security

3

PAFF 6381Homeland Security in the U.S.

3

Non-thesis Option

Capstone - 6 Hours

PAFF 6364Masters of Public Affairs Capstone

3

Any PAFF course

Thesis Option

Thesis - 6 Hours

PAFF 7300Thesis I

3

PAFF 7301Thesis II

3

Total Credit Hours: 36