MPA Curriculum and Program Requirements

 

Learning Goals of the MPA Program

The National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration (NASPAA) require, as the basis for our curriculum, the adoption of a set of required competencies related to our mission and public service values.   Courses are designed to equip students with the theoretical and practical skills necessary to exercise competency in the following areas:

  • To lead and manage in public governance;
  • To participate in and contribute to the policy process;
  • To analyze, synthesize, think critically, solve problems and make decisions;
  • To articulate and apply a public service perspective; and,
  • To communicate and interact productively with a diverse and changing workforce and citizenry.

NASPAA Required Competencies Portfolio & Student Learning Assessment  

As part of our program’s external accreditation, all MPA students are required to develop a Required Competencies Portfolio. Portfolios include artifacts (assignments) and self-assessments from core courses designed to demonstrate a student’s mastery of the learning goals of the MPA program. MPA faculty use these artifacts to assess student learning outcomes at the course and program levels. Students use these artifacts as writing samples and/or opportunities to demonstrate other relevant skill sets when seeking employment.

Grades and Academic Standards

Grades of A, B, or C are the only grades to be considered as passing. A maximum of six semester hours with a grade of "C" may count toward the completion of degree requirements. However, each of the six administrative core courses must be completed with a minimum grade of "B-." Students must also maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 point scale.

A student must maintain a B average (see Degree Requirements and Academic Probation, pgs. X-X of the Handbook) to remain in good standing in the MPA program. Students whose graduate GPA falls below 3.0 (exclusive of incompletes) are placed on academic probation. Such students must bring their GPA up to 3.0 within a semester. Students who fail to do this will receive a notice of termination from the program.

A student who accumulates a combination of three or more No Grade (NG) reports will not be permitted to register for more courses.

A student who has received a grade of C or D may repeat that course upon approval of the MPA Director and The Graduate School. When a student repeats a course, the grade point average is calculated on the basis of the last grade attempted.

A student earning an F grade in any course will be dismissed from the MPA program and the University. An F earned at WCU may not be made up at another institution of higher learning for the same course.

Course Requirements

The MPA degree requires the completion of 36 – 39 semester hours of approved graduate study in the public administration core and a selected concentration. Each course in the MPA program represents three (3) semester hours. Students must complete a minimum of 36 semester hours of course work exclusive of internship hours.

The distribution of hours is as follows:

  • 21 Semester hours of core courses
  • 12 Semester hours of Elective Courses
  • 3 Semester hours of PPA 600: Capstone Seminar in Public Administration
  • 3 Semester hours of PPA 601: Public Policy and Administration Internship (required of pre-service students with less than one year of relevant post-baccalaureate work experience)

Credit Transfers & Waivers

Credits through previous graduate study at another college or university may transfer credit under certain circumstances. Application forms for transfer of credit may be obtained online at The Graduate School website. The following conditions are the minimum requirements for acceptance of transfer credit:

  1. The credits must have been earned at an accredited graduate school.
  2. The courses taken must be approved by the department or program in which the applicant intends to enroll at West Chester and by the associate provost and dean of graduate studies.
  3. The maximum number of credits that may be transferred shall not exceed 30 percent of the total required for completion of the student's degree program, rounded to the next highest three-credit increment.
  4. The grade earned for courses to be transferred must be B or better. (An "A" equals 4.0.)
  5. An official transcript and a course catalog description or syllabus must be submitted. Transcripts must be sent directly to The Graduate School by the institution that granted the credits, and they must clearly indicate that the courses to be transferred are graduate courses for which graduate credit was given.
  6. The courses for transfer must have been taken recently enough to fall within the six-year time limitation.

PPA 601, Public Policy and Administration Internship, may be waived for students with more than one year of relevant post-baccalaureate work experience. The MPA Director will make the final decision regarding waiver eligibility. Only students with a myWCU Advisor Note indicating the waiver will be cleared for graduation.

MPA Administrative Core Course Descriptions

The MPA Administrative Core consists of seven (7) courses or twenty-one (21) semester hours. All MPA students must successfully complete each of the seven core courses (see the Grades and Academic Standards section of this Handbook). A list of each of the core courses, accompanied by a link to the course descriptions in the Graduate Course Catalog.

PPA 500 Foundations of Public Administration 

PPA 501 Analysis and Decision Making I

PPA 502 Analysis and Decision Making II

PPA 503 Public Budgeting and Finance

PPA 504 Public Human Resource Management

PPA 505 Public Sector Organization Theory and Behavior

PPA 506 Foundations in Nonprofit Administration

MPA Concentrations

In addition to the administrative core, the MPA degree requires the completion of twelve (12) semester hours of elective credits. The concentration areas are: Public Administration General, Nonprofit Administration and Public Management. Pending approval by the MPA Director, students may transfer electives from other departments within the University or from any approved graduate certificate program. For more information on the transfer of credits, please see the Transfer of Credits section of this Handbook.

Public Administration General Concentration

This concentration is designed to equip students with the skills necessary to enhance the field of public service through positions both inside and outside of government in the nonprofit and even private sector, e.g., as consultants to governmental organizations or as governmental service providers. The concentration is designed for individuals with professional work experience who desire to enhance their administrative and public management skills as well as pre-service students who do not have professional experience. This concentration can be pursued concurrently with a graduate certificate.

In addition to the administrative core, twenty-one (21) semester hours, students in the Public Administration General Concentration are required to complete four (4) concentration courses (12 semester hours). This concentration requires an internship experience of three (3) semester hours for pre-service students with less than one year of relevant post-baccalaureate work experience, and a culminating capstone seminar. Courses are selected under advisement of the MPA Director or faculty adviser. Students may transfer these electives from other departments within the University or from any approved graduate certificate program.

MPA Public Administration General Concentration Suggested Electives Courses
  • PPA 510 Topics in Public Administration 
  • PPA 511 Technologies for Public Administration
  • PPA 512 Communication for Public Administration
  • PPA 513 Administrative Law
  • PPA 514 American Public Policy
MPA in Public Administration General Concentration Degree Requirements
  1. Administrative core (21 semester hours)
    • PPA 500 Foundations of Public Administration
    • PPA 501 Research Methods in Public Administration
    • PPA 502 Policy Analysis and Program Evaluation
    • PPA 503 Public Budgeting and Finance
    • PPA 504 Public Human Resource Management
    • PPA 505 Public Sector Organization Theory and Behavior
    • PPA 506 Foundations in Nonprofit Administration

  2. Suggested (but not required) Public Administration General Concentration Electives (12 semester hours)
    • PPA 510 Topics in Public Administration
    • PPA 511 Technologies for Public Administrators
    • PPA 512 Communication for Public Administrators
    • PPA 513 Administrative Law
    • PPA 514 American Public Policy

  3. Capstone Seminar (3 semester hours)
    • PPA 600 Capstone Seminar in Public Administration

  4. Internship (3 semester hours)
    • PPA 601 Public Policy and Administration Internship (Required for pre-service students with less than one year of relevant post-baccalaureate work experience) 

Nonprofit Administration Concentration

This concentration is designed for those who want to enhance their knowledge of nonprofit administration. It is appropriate for individuals pursuing careers in a wide range of nonprofit fields and is intended to provide a core set of skills and knowledge for people who desire to enhance their management and supervisory skills within the context of a nonprofit organization.

In addition to the administrative core, twenty-one (21) semester hours, students in the Nonprofit Administration Concentration are required to complete three courses in the concentration (9 semester hours) and one additional elective course (3 semester hours). This concentration requires an internship experience of three (3) semester hours for pre-service students with less than one year of relevant post-baccalaureate work experience. Courses are selected under advisement of the MPA Director or faculty adviser. Students may transfer electives from other departments within the University or from any approved graduate certificate program as elective requirements.

MPA Nonprofit Administration Concentration Required and Elective Course Descriptions
  • PPA 530 Topics in Nonprofit Administration
  • PPA 532 Grant Writing
  • PPA 533 Nonprofit Fundraising Essentials
  • PPA 535 Strategic Management for Nonprofit Organizations
MPA in Nonprofit Administration Degree Requirements
  1. Administrative core (21 semester hours)
    • PPA 500 Foundations in Public Administration
    • PPA 501 Research Methods in Public Administration
    • PPA 502 Policy Analysis and Program Evaluation
    • PPA 503 Public Budgeting and Finance
    • PPA 504 Public Human Resource Management
    • PPA 505 Public Sector Organization Theory and Behavior
    • PPA 506 Foundations in Nonprofit Administration

  2. Nonprofit Administration Concentration Requirements (9 semester hours)
    • PPA 532 Grant Writing
    • PPA 533 Nonprofit Fundraising Essentials
    • PPA 535 Strategic Management for Nonprofit Organizations 

  3. Electives (3 semester hours)
    • Selected under advisement of MPA Director or faculty advisor

  4. Capstone Seminar (3 semester hours)
    • PPA 600 Capstone Seminar in Public Administration

  5. Internship (3 semester hours)
    • PPA 601 Public Policy and Administration Internship (Required for pre-service students with less than one year of relevant post-baccalaureate work experience)

Public Management Concentration

This concentration is designed for individuals that want to focus on the managerial operations of public administration and improving the quality and efficiency of services delivered by public organizations at the local and regional levels. The concentration is designed for managers and officials from local, county, and regional government bodies that desire to enhance their general management skills as well as gain insight into public policy issues of particular concern to these officials. This concentration can be pursued concurrently with a graduate certificate.

In addition to the administrative core, twenty-one (21) semester hours, students in the Public Management Concentration are required to complete four (4) concentration courses (12 semester hours). This concentration requires an internship experience of three (3) semester hours for pre-service students with less than one year of relevant post-baccalaureate work experience, and a culminating capstone seminar. Courses are selected under advisement of the MPA Director or faculty adviser. Students may transfer these electives from other departments within the University or from any approved graduate certificate program.

MPA Public Management Concentration Suggested Electives Course Descriptions

PPA 512 Communication for Public Administration

PPA 513 Administrative Law

PPA 514 American Public Policy

PPA 515 Social Equity & Public Administration


MPA in Public Management Concentration Degree Requirements
  1. Administrative core (21 semester hours)
    PPA 500 Foundations of Public Administration
    PPA 501 Research Methods in Public Administration
    PPA 502 Policy Analysis and Program Evaluation
    PPA 503 Public Budgeting and Finance
    PPA 504 Public Human Resource Management
    PPA 505 Public Sector Organization Theory and Behavior
    PPA 506 Foundations in Nonprofit Administration

  2. Suggested (but not required) Public Administration General Concentration Electives (12 semester hours)
    PPA 512 Communication for Public Administrators
    PPA 513 Administrative Law
    PPA 514 American Public Policy
    PPA 515 Social Equity & Public Administration

  3. Capstone Seminar (3 semester hours)
    PPA 600 Capstone Seminar in Public Administration

  4. Internship (3 semester hours)
    PPA 601 Public Policy and Administration Internship (Required for pre-service students with less than one year of relevant post-baccalaureate work experience)

MPA Electives

Elective courses, including external options, are selected with the aid of the MPA Director or faculty advisor, taking into consideration the stated objective of each concentration and the specific career goals of individual students.

Students may select elective courses from other approved graduate and graduate certificate programs at West Chester University. All elective courses are selected under advisement of the MPA Director or the student’s faculty adviser. Students wishing to take courses offered by other WCU graduate and graduate certificate programs and count them as electives toward the fulfillment of MPA degree requirements should consult with the MPA Director or faculty advisor to secure the necessary permission. Elective courses taken in other WCU graduate and graduate certificate are considered as transfer credits by the Graduate School and thus are subject to the nine-hour limitation on the number of transfer credits that may be counted toward fulfilling MPA degree requirements. Please see the Conditions of Transfer Credits section of this Handbook for more information regarding WCU’s credit transfer policy.

Graduate Certificates

For students who do not wish to pursue a Master's degree but who are seeking to specialize in a specific area, we offer graduate certificates in the following areas: Public Administration, Nonprofit Administration, Public Management, and Food Policy. Certificates are designed for persons who desire to enhance their management and supervisory skills in these particular areas. To earn the certificate, students must complete twelve (12) semester hours with a minimum grade of "B" in each course. Those interested in the certificate option must follow and meet the same admissions criteria as master's degree students. Degree students also may apply for the certificates after completing the certificate course requirements with a minimum grade of "B" for each course.

Certificate in Public Administration

The certificate in public administration is designed for persons who desire to enhance their management and supervisory skills. Those interested in the certificate option must follow and meet the same admissions criteria as master's degree students. To earn the certificate, students must complete twelve (12) credit hours from the administrative core and elective courses. Degree students in the MPA General Concentration may also apply for the certificate after completing the stated requirements.

Course Catalog

Certificate in Nonprofit Administration

The certificate in nonprofit administration is designed for those who desire to enhance their management and supervisory skills within the context of a nonprofit organization. Those interested in the certificate option must follow and meet the same admissions criteria as master's degree students. To earn the certificate, students must complete three (3) credits from the administrative core (PPA 506) and nine (9) credits from the nonprofit administration concentration required credits (PPA, 530, 531, 532 and 535). Degree students in the MPA Nonprofit Management concentration also may apply for the certificate after completing the stated requirements.

Course Catalog

CERTIFICATE IN PUBLIC MANAGEMENT

This certificate is designed for individuals that want to focus on the managerial operations of public administration and improving the quality and efficiency of services delivered by public organizations at the local and regional levels. The certificate is designed for managers and officials from local, county, and regional government bodies that desire to enhance their general management skills as well as gain insight into public policy issues of particular concern to these officials. Those interested in the certificate option must follow and meet the same admissions criteria as master's degree students. To earn the certificate, students must complete twelve (12) credit hours from the administrative core and the public management concentration elective courses.

Course Catalog

CERTIFICATE IN FOOD POLICY

The certificate in Food Policy is designed for those who want to participate in interdisciplinary courses that will increase their knowledge on food and nutrition policy. It will enable them to obtain important tools to work with vulnerable audiences. The certificate can be earned full time or part time online. Those interested in the certificate option must follow and meet the same admissions criteria as master's degree students. To earn the certificate, students must complete a total of twelve (12) credit hours including six (6) credits from the public policy and administration core (PPA 506 and PPA 532) and six (6) credits from the nutrition core (NTD 600/NTD 601 and NTD 625). 

Course Catalog

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