The Master of Public Administration (MPA) is a 48-credit program* which seeks to provide the highest quality graduate education for current and prospective students interested in a career in public service through in government or nonprofit organizations. The program strives to achieve local, state and national prominence through a contemporary curriculum, innovative instruction, scholarly and applied research, and service to key stakeholders. Program activities are designed to develop and enhance management skills essential to public and nonprofit organizations oriented towards a diverse metropolitan environment. Through small, stimulating seminars, convenient evening courses, and modern facilities, our students will acquire the essential skills necessary for public service professionalism—excellence in technique, ethics and leadership—to help meet the challenges in the years ahead. Our students will be able to demonstrate critical analytical and writing skills related to public policy and administration by the time they graduate. They will be able to demonstrate oral communication skills, and students will be able to demonstrate analytical competencies acquired through internships. We invite you to browse our curriculum and contact our office with any questions you may have about our program.
Students must complete, and obtain a passing grade, in all of the courses list below:
Students select an additional four courses from those listed below, with at least one course from each of the three subfields: Organization Management and Leadership: Equity, Ethics, and Legal Issues in Public Administration: Issues in Public Policy and Administration:
Students must complete a 3-credit internship experience (200 hours). Students with prior managerial work experience may substitute a relevant POL course for the internship with the prior approval of the MPA Director. In a case where a student is unable to obtain an internship, a relevant POL course may be substituted with the prior written approval of the MPA Director.
The remaining 9 credit hours may include a mixture of elective courses, or independent study courses taken either through the POL department or in other University of Miami Departments. Independent study and courses taken through other University of Miami Departments require the approval of the MPA Program Director to count toward the MPA credit hour requirements. A maximum of an additional 3 credit hours of internship may count toward the MPA as an elective.