Public Administration, MPA
Introduction
Program Director: Robyn Mobbs, PhD
The Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree provides graduate professional education for students interested in public service leadership positions and careers with public and nonprofit agencies and organizations. The program serves students new to public service as well as those already in the field who are interested in furthering their careers.
To learn more about our renowned faculty, please visit our website to view our faculty bios.
The School of Public Affairs offers three distinct ways to complete the MPA:
- Accelerated MPA
- Executive MPA
- Traditional MPA
Students pursing the executive and traditional options may also choose to designate a concentration within one of the optional focus areas or complete the MPA without a specified concentration. Students in the accelerated format are not able to choose a concentration due to the cohort nature of the program and sequencing of classes; they can, however, pursue un-transcripted specializations.
Program Delivery
- Courses are offered on campus, online, and in remote and hybrid formats. The Accelerated MPA is offered in a cohort model, typically on campus; however, during the COVID-19 pandemic, courses are being delivered in other formats.
Program Requirements
- Students must successfully complete at least 36 credit hours of approved coursework (or 39 credit hours if the internship is required) for the Traditional and Accelerated MPA formats. Students must successfully complete at least 30 credit hours of approved coursework for the Executive MPA format.
- Students must maintain at least a 3.00 cumulative GPA in this program.
- Students must earn at least a B- in all core coursework and at least a C in all elective coursework to be accepted for graduate credit towards the degree.
- No more than 6 credit hours of Independent Study may be applied toward the degree.
- Students who have not had at least one year of professional work experience in the public or nonprofit sectors must complete an internship through an additional 3-semester-hour course, bringing their total semester-hour requirements to 39.
- This program must be completed within 6 years.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | ||
| All MPA students (with the exception of those in the Executive MPA option) must complete the following seven core courses or approved equivalents: | 21 | |
| Introduction to Public Administration and Public Service | ||
| Organizational Management and Behavior | ||
| Research and Analytic Methods | ||
| Economics and Public Finance 1 | ||
| The Policy Process and Democracy | ||
| Public Service Leadership and Ethics | ||
| Evidence-Based Decision-Making | ||
| Elective Courses | ||
| Select four elective courses from a pre-approved list and/or with approval from the program director. | 12 | |
| Internship | ||
| PUAD 6910 | Internship 2 | 3 |
| Other Courses | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Capstone Seminar (during the final semester) | ||
| Master's Thesis 3 | ||
| Total Hours | 39 | |
| 1 | Students in the Local Government Concentration must take PUAD 5503 Public Budgeting and Finance |
| 2 | Internship: Students who have limited experience (generally defined as less than one year of experience) in public, nonprofit or relevant private-sector service must enroll in PUAD 6910 Internship. The decision to require PUAD 6910 Internship for a particular student is made by the faculty admissions committee or the student's faculty advisor upon the student's acceptance to the MPA program. A minimum of 300 hours of supervised work and study is required to earn the 3.00 credit hours for this course. The internship requirement raises the total credit hours needed to earn the MPA degree from 36 to 39. |
| 3 | Taken for 3 or 6 credits with approval by and in consultation with the program director prior to enrolling in the course. |
MPA Options
In addition to the traditional MPA program, students may consider the accelerated and executive options.
Accelerated MPA
The Accelerated MPA (AMPA) is a fast-paced, full-time option that brings academically superior students together with a dedicated research and teaching faculty in the midst of the vibrant downtown Denver environment. The students in the cohort enjoy a unique experience as they go through all classes in the MPA together, fostering a community of scholar-practitioners.
The AMPA option enables students to focus their energies on a concentrated program of study and earn a nationally accredited, 36-hour MPA in 12 months. All coursework is completed in-person as a cohort. The online option is not available for students in the AMPA program. Students in the AMPA program are not able to choose a concentration due to the cohort nature of the program and sequencing of classes; they can, however, pursue non-transcripted specializations.
Students are admitted to the program in cohorts of up to 20 participants. A new cohort starts each August. The cohort format helps to increase the opportunity to become acquainted with other graduate students and increases the opportunities for interaction between program participants and faculty. It is preferred that applicants have some knowledge of economics, statistics, and political science prior to starting the program, although this is not required.
The AMPA option is priced at a flat rate, regardless of in-state or out-of-state student status, providing out-of-state students with substantial savings. Students interested in pursuing the AMPA option should designate this as their desired program on their admissions application.
Executive MPA
The Executive MPA program is designed for senior-level professionals in the nonprofit and public sectors. The Executive MPA requires a minimum of 30 credit hours to complete the degree. Professional experience counts for two courses, leaving 10 courses to complete, as opposed to the 12 courses of the Accelerated or Traditional MPA options.
Initial Leadership Experience (3 credit hours)
All students will enroll in the Rocky Mountain Leadership Program (3 credit hours), which is a six-day seminar typically held in Breckenridge. The RMLP brings together public and non-profit professionals from across the country to collaborate on current management issues while honing leadership skills. Federal employees may elect the Office of Personnel Management's (OPM) federal Management Assessment Seminar at either the Western or Eastern Management Development Centers in lieu of the Rocky Mountain Leadership Program. For more information about the OPM program option please see www.leadership.opm.gov.
Coursework
Required courses (15 credit hours)
All students will complete PUAD 5001 Introduction to Public Administration and Public Service (3 credit hours) and PUAD 5002 Organizational Management and Behavior (3 credit hours) together as an Executive cohort. Both courses are held in a hybrid format, which combines a one-week intensive session on the Denver campus with additional online instruction. Students will also complete three additional core courses (9 total credit hours) from the regular MPA core. The remainder of the core courses may be taken in the student's preferred format as either online, weekend intensive, or through the traditional campus-based classroom setting.
Electives (9 credit hours)
In consultation with an advisor, students select three elective courses that best meet their professional goals. These may be taken online or in the classroom. Students may complete up to 9 credits through the federal OPM Management Development Center provided they are approved for graduate credit by the American Council on Education.
Capstone or Thesis (3 - 6 credit hours)
Students elect to take either PUAD 5361 Capstone Seminar (3 credit hours) or PUAD 6950 Master's Thesis (3 - 6 credit hours) during their final semester.
Optional Concentrations
Students in the Traditional and Executive MPA programs may select one of the concentrations below or complete the MPA without a specified concentration. Students completing a concentration take their electives in the area of their concentration, complete the advanced seminar project in the area of their concentration and are advised by faculty from the concentration.
All MPA concentrations require a total of 12 credits hours of concentrated elective coursework and may either be taken as part of the MPA program or as a stand-alone Graduate Certificate.
Disasters, Hazards and Emergency Management Concentration
The concentration in Disasters, Hazards, and Emergency Management (DHEM) provides advanced education in the management of emergencies, hazards, disasters, and community resilience. DHEM is designed for students who work or will work in the field of natural and man-made hazards, community resilience, and emergency management. The DHEM concentration requires a total of 12 credit hours.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| CRJU 5720 | Public Policies for Hazards and Disasters | 3 |
| Select at least one of the following: | 3 | |
| Public Service in Emergency Management and Homeland Security | ||
| Principles of Emergency Management | ||
| Disaster/ClimateChangePlanning | ||
| Elective Courses | ||
| Select two additional elective courses from the list below or select unlisted courses that have been approved in advance by the program director | 6 | |
| Environmental and Hazards Law | ||
| Collaboration Across Sectors | ||
| Managing Conflict and Change | ||
| Public Policy Analysis | ||
| Program Evaluation | ||
| Negotiation and Conflict Resolution | ||
| Seminar in Environmental Politics and Policy | ||
| Seminar in Environmental Management | ||
| Total Hours | 12 | |
Education Policy Concentration
The concentration in Education Policy provides students with an understanding of how K-12 education is governed, financed and regulated in the United States. Students will become familiar with the interaction between federal, state, and local policies and with the context in which education policy is formulated and implemented. The Education Policy concentration requires a total of 12 credit hours.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| PUAD 5200 | Education Policy | 3 |
| PUAD 5210 | Education Finance | 3 |
| Elective Courses | ||
| Select two additional elective courses from the list below or select unlisted courses that have been approved in advance by the program director | 6 | |
| Seminar in Nonprofit Management | ||
| Nonprofits and Public Policy | ||
| Nonprofit Financial Management | ||
| Strategic Management for Nonprofit and Public Managers | ||
| Social Entrepreneurship | ||
| Policy Formulation & Implementation | ||
| Public Policy Analysis | ||
| Program Evaluation | ||
| Political Advocacy | ||
| Local Government Management | ||
| Local Government Politics and Policy | ||
| Social Problems and Policies | ||
| Special Topics: Public Administration (Education Systems Leadership and Policy Institute) | ||
| Total Hours | 12 | |
Emergency Management and Homeland Security Concentration
The concentration in Emergency Management and Homeland Security (EMHS) provides advanced education in the management of emergencies, hazards, disasters, and homeland security. The EMHS program is designed to meet the needs of students who wish to work, or are currently working, in the field of emergency management and homeland security. The EMHS concentration requires a total of 12 credit hours.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| CRJU 5650 | Public Service in Emergency Management and Homeland Security | 3 |
| Select at least one of the following: | 3 | |
| Principles of Emergency Management | ||
| Public Policies for Hazards and Disasters | ||
| Disaster/ClimateChangePlanning | ||
| Elective Courses | ||
| Select two additional elective courses from the list below or select unlisted courses that have been approved in advance by the program director | 6 | |
| Contemporary Issues in Law Enforcement | ||
| Environmental and Hazards Law | ||
| Risk Assessment | ||
| Introduction to GIS | ||
| Disasters, Climate Change, and Health | ||
| Collaboration Across Sectors | ||
| Managing Conflict and Change | ||
| Public Policy Analysis | ||
| Program Evaluation | ||
| Negotiation and Conflict Resolution | ||
| Seminar in Environmental Politics and Policy | ||
| Seminar in Environmental Management | ||
| Total Hours | 12 | |
Environmental Policy and Management Concentration
The concentration in Environmental Policy and Management provides an understanding of how our natural environment is governed and affected by relationships between various entities, including legislatures, administrative agencies, courts, government and more. The EPM concentration requires a total of 12 credit hours.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| Complete the following two courses: | 6 | |
| Seminar in Environmental Politics and Policy | ||
| Seminar in Environmental Management | ||
| Elective Courses | ||
| Select two additional elective courses from the list below or select unlisted courses that have been approved in advance by the program director | 6 | |
| Health Risk Communication | ||
| City Design Fundamentals | ||
| Special Topics: Landscape Architecture | ||
| Administrative Law | ||
| Law and Public Policy | ||
| Social Problems and Policies | ||
| Environmental and Hazards Law | ||
| Public Service in Emergency Management and Homeland Security | ||
| Sustainable Energy Policy | ||
| Special Topics: Public Administration (Environmental Justice and Crime) | ||
| Total Hours | 12 | |
Gender-Based Violence Concentration
The concentration in Gender-Based Violence (GBV) focuses on the management and policies surrounding gender-based violence, as well as grass-roots social justice work and best practices in this emerging field. Each fall, 10 to 20 students are accepted into the GBV cohort, allowing the participants to build a strong community of advocates and learners. This program combines online courses with four intensive campus seminars spaced throughout the two-year program. The concentration in GBV requires a total of 12 credit hours.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| CRJU 5910 | Nature and Scope of Interpersonal Violence | 3 |
| CRJU 5920 | The Psychology of Interpersonal Violence | 3 |
| CRJU 5930 | Interpersonal Violence Law and Public Policy | 3 |
| CRJU 5940 | Interpersonal Violence Leadership, Advocacy, and Social Change | 3 |
| Total Hours | 12 | |
Local Government Concentration
The concentration in Local Government prepares students to become well-versed in the forces that shape the agendas of the public sector, including those of municipalities, counties, special districts, regional authorities, and councils of government. Additionally, students gain an understanding of government management and policy making. The concentration in Local Government requires a total of 12 credit hours.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| PUAD 5503 | Public Budgeting and Finance | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Local Government Management | ||
| Local Government Politics and Policy | ||
| Social Problems and Policies | ||
| Elective Courses | ||
| Select two additional elective courses from a list that has been approved in advance by the program director | 6 | |
| Collaboration Across Sectors | ||
| Strategic Management for Nonprofit and Public Managers | ||
| Human Resource Management | ||
| Intergovernmental Management | ||
| Managing Diversity | ||
| Managing Conflict and Change | ||
| Citizen Participation: Theory and Practice | ||
| Administrative Law | ||
| Negotiation and Conflict Resolution | ||
| Political Advocacy | ||
| Public Financial Management and Policy | ||
| Seminar in Environmental Management | ||
| Public Service in Emergency Management and Homeland Security | ||
| Total Hours | 12 | |
Nonprofit Management Concentration
The concentration in Nonprofit Management prepares students to become innovative and critical thinkers in the areas of nonprofit organizational management and public policy, with a unique approach that bridges theoretical knowledge with real-world experience. As students prepare for their careers or advancement in their current positions, they gain insight into the interdependence between the nonprofit, public, and for-profit sectors. Graduates are able to span the boundaries of these three sectors to assess community needs, navigate the realm of public policy, and strategically and effectively manage organizations that ultimately benefit society. The Nonprofit Management concentration requires a total of 12 credit hours.
The School of Public Affairs’ affiliation with the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance gives students the opportunity to earn the Certified Nonprofit Professional (CNP) credential through completion of the Nonprofit Management concentration coursework, additional required extracurricular activities, and an examination. Contact cnp@ucdenver.edu for more information about this credential.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Course | ||
| PUAD 5110 | Seminar in Nonprofit Management | 3 |
| Elective Courses | ||
| Select three elective courses from a list that has been approved in advance by the program director | 9 | |
| Effective Grant Writing for Nonprofit and Public Sector Managers | ||
| Nonprofits and Public Policy | ||
| Civil Society and Nongovernmental Organizations | ||
| Nonprofit Financial Management | ||
| Fundraising & Financial Resource Development | ||
| Nonprofit Boards and Executive Leadership | ||
| Strategic Management for Nonprofit and Public Managers | ||
| Social Entrepreneurship | ||
| Total Hours | 12 | |
Public Policy Analysis Concentration
The concentration in Public Policy Analysis provides training in the tools and skills needed to assess the impact of public policies and programs, including policy analysis, cost-benefit analysis, program evaluation, multivariate regression, and other analytical techniques. The Public Policy Analysis concentration requires a total of 12 credit hours.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Course | ||
| PUAD 5320 | Public Policy Analysis | 3 |
| Elective Courses | ||
| Select three additional elective courses from the list below or select unlisted courses that have been approved in advance by the program director. | 9 | |
| Education Policy | ||
| Policy Formulation & Implementation | ||
| Intermediate Statistical Analysis | ||
| Program Evaluation | ||
| Seminar in Environmental Politics and Policy | ||
| Public Policies for Hazards and Disasters | ||
| While many MPA students have the option to take PUAD 5503 - Public Budgeting and Finance as a core course, students pursuing a concentration in Public Policy Analysis do not take this course as a core course. They must instead take PUAD 5004 - Economics and Public Finance to earn the concentration. | ||
| Total Hours | 12 | |