Curriculum
The MPA program is a 42-credit program. Students who enroll full-time (three classes per semester) should be able to complete the program in two years. For those who opt to be part-time (less than three classes per semester), it will take three or more years, depending on your pace. Many students have completed the program by taking one course per semester due to work, family, and other obligations.
Core Courses
The current general course rotation is as follows:
Fall
- PAD 6060 Introduction: Public Administration in Modern Society
- PAD 5700 Public Administration Research Methods
- PAD 6417 Human Resource Management
Spring
- PAD 6060 Introduction: Public Administration in Modern Society
- PAD 6227 Government Budget and Finance
- PAD 6106 Administrative Behavior
- PAD 6066 Capstone Seminar
Summer
PUP 6006 Program Evaluation (a six-week, online intensive class: clear the decks!)
Concentrations
Students can concentrate in an area that aligns most with their career path. Each concentration has three required courses and one elective. There are multiple options for electives, but it does need to be approved by the program director.
Public Policy
For students who are interested in pursuing a public policy concentration, the following courses are required:
- PUP6007 Policy Analysis
- PAD6706 Research Design (Prerequisite: PAD 5700 with a grade of B or better)
- PAD6207 Economics and Municipal Finance
- SELECT 1 Public Policy elective
*Please note that this concentration requires statistical analysis.
Local Government
For students who are interested in pursuing a local government administration concentration, the following courses are required:
- PAD6807 Urban Administration
- POS6158 Politics/Policy in Local Government
- PAD6207 Economics and Municipal Finance
- SELECT 1 Local Government elective
Nonprofit Management
For students who are interested in pursuing a nonprofit management concentration, the following courses are required:
- PAD6142 Management of Nonprofit Orgs
- PAD6208 Nonprofit Financial Management
- PAD6164 NPO Stakeholder Relations
- SELECT 1 Nonprofit Management elective
Health Administration
For students who are interested in pursuing a health administration concentration, the following courses are required:
- HSA6114 Health Organization/Delivery
- HSA6905 Policy and Law in Healthcare
- HSA6435 Health Economics (Prerequisite: PAD 6227)
- SELECT 1 Health Administration elective
Electives
The following topics are offered on a rotating basis. See the most recent Course Rotation document that was sent to all students for which electives are being offered.
- Comparative Public Administration
- E-Governance
- Ethics
- Grants in the Public Sector
- Jacksonville
- Strategic Planning for Public and Nonprofit Organizations