Public Affairs with a Concentration in Public Administration and Nonprofit Leadership (MPA)
Overview
The Masters of Public Affairs with a concentration in Public Administration and Nonprofit Leadership 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.
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
Students in the MPA Public Affairs with a concentration in Public Administration and Nonprofit Leadership will complete 36 hours for the degree. The program includes a thesis and non-thesis option.
Required Courses
Core Courses - 15 hours
| PAFF 6301 | Introduction to Public Administration |
| PAFF 6314 | Formulation of Public Policy |
| PAFF 6380 | Introduction to Global Security and Intelligence |
| POLS 6370 | Research Methods and Applied Statistics |
| PAFF 6364 | Masters of Public Affairs Capstone |
Concentration Courses
Concentration Core - 9 hours
| PAFF 6304 | Public Budgeting and Financial Management |
| PAFF 6306 | Public Sector Human Resources and Leadership |
| PAFF 6310 | Public Service Ethics |
Prescribed Electives
Students will choose six hours of prescribed electives list below.
Choose two - 6 hours
Non-thesis Option
Choose two additional prescribed electives – 6 hours
Thesis Option
Thesis Courses - 6 hours
Total Credit Hours: 36