Degree Title: Master of Public Administration

Program Name and Numbers: Public Administration - MP4410, MP4411, MP4413

Department/Unit: Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Affairs

Delivery Mode: MPA Athens Campus (MP4410), Ohio Executive MPA (OEMPA) Hybrid/Dublin Campus (MP4411), Online MPA (MP4413)

Program Mission: The MPA program prepares students for careers in public, private, and nonprofit organizations.

Program Learning Objectives: Students graduating from the program will have the ability

• 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
• To communicate and interact productively with a diverse and changing workforce and citizenry.

Program Overview: The traditional on-campus program (MP4410) is designed to provide students without substantial work experience with a sound combination of theoretical knowledge and applied learning necessary for employment in public, private, and nonprofit organizations. Students have an opportunity to focus their studies and elective coursework around areas such as social innovation and entrepreneurship, program evaluation, nonprofit management, and economic development, among others. A signature part of the on-campus program is the applied learning experience where students work with area nonprofit organizations or local/state/federal government agencies.

The Ohio Executive MPA (OEMPA) (MP4411) program provides early to mid-career students with disciplinary knowledge of public policy and administration, public service and leadership, and data management and applications. The OEMPA program is a unique combination of monthly residency-based classroom learning and online interaction.

The Online MPA (MP4413) is a fully online program designed to provide students with a sound combination of theoretical knowledge and professional skills for employment in public, private, and nonprofit organizations. Students have an opportunity to choose from three concentrations: public leadership and management, non-profit management, and environmental and energy policy.

Opportunities for Graduates: Graduates of the program have found successful employment in local, state, and federal governments, as well as, private and nonprofit organizations.

Link to Program: http://www.ohio.edu/mpa

Graduation Requirements: MPA (MP4410) requires 36 credit hours plus a writing class. Students must complete an applied learning or internship experience and a portfolio or thesis.

OEMPA (MP4411) requires 36 credit hours and students must complete a portfolio.

Online MPA (MP4413) requires 36 credit hours and students must complete a portfolio.

Culminating Experience: The culminating experience for MPA students in all three program formats is a Portfolio capturing the student’s learning experiences in the program through the submission of select research and professional papers. The portfolio is presented in person or via written submission to a faculty committee. Traditional, on-campus students (MP4410) have the option of selecting a Thesis in lieu of the portfolio.

Admission Requirements: Applicants must meet the minimum requirements established by the Graduate College to be considered for admission.