Public Affairs (M.P.A.)

Print Degree Planner (opens a new window) |

Program Admission Requirements

In addition to the Graduate School Admission Requirements , applicants should have a B average in their last two years of undergraduate study and must obtain a satisfactory score on the Graduate Record Exam General Test. In addition, all applicants must submit an up-to-date resume and must submit a 1-2 page essay that addresses the following question: “Why do you want to pursue an MPA and a career in public service? In your answer, be sure to discuss how your job, educational and life experiences relate to this goal.” Prerequisite work may be required of applicants having an inadequate background for the MPA.

Program Description

The Master of Public Affairs degree program is designed for students who possess professional experience and seek additional education to prepare for career advancement (in-service students) and also for students planning careers in the public service area (preservice students). The program requires each student to complete the Public Affairs core requirements (24 hours), select and complete the requirements for a concentration (9 hours), and up to 6 hours of guided electives for in-service students or 3 hours of guided electives and 3 hours of internship (PA 685) for preservice students.

Public Affairs Core (24 hours)

PA 669 - Legal Issues in Public Affairs Credits: 3
PA 670 - Public Affairs Administration Credits: 3
PA 671 - Public Financial Management Credits: 3
PA 672 - Public Organizational Theory Credits: 3
PA 673 - Public Policy Analysis Credits: 3
PA 674 - Research Methods for Public Affairs Credits: 3
PA 699 - Public Affairs Capstone Experience Credits: 3
PA 677 - Public Personnel Management Credits: 3

Public Policy Concentration

Students who wish a concentration in Public Policy must take 24 hours in the Public Affairs core as well as the following:

9 hours from

CJ 670 - Criminal Justice Policy Credits: 3
EDL 820 - Educational Politics and Policies Credits: 3
MHS 510 - Systems and Policy in Health Care Credits: 3
PA 521 - Political and Organizational Leadership Credits: 3
PA 572 - Public Policy Formulation Credits: 3
PA 640 - Environmental Politics and Policy Credits: 3
PA 650 - The Nonprofit Sector Credits: 3
PA 675 - State and Local Governance Credits: 3

Guided Electives (6 hours)

6 hours of guided electives for in-service students. For preservice students this must include 3 hours of internship.

Human Resources Administration Concentration

The Human Resources (HR) Administration concentration requires 24 hours in the Public Affairs core as well as the following:

9 hours selected from

HR 602 - Human Resources Research and Evaluation Methods Credits: 3
HR 605 - Orientation to Human Resources Credits: 3
HR 610 - Human Resource Development Credits: 3
HR 645 - Employee and Labor Relations Credits: 3
HR 660 - Talent Management Credits: 3
HR 675 - Leadership in Human Resources Credits: 3
HR 693 - Selected Topics in Human Resources Credits: 3, R12

Note:

All of the HR classes are offered on-line. The following classes are also concurrently offered in Asheville, assuming minimum enrollment numbers are met: PA 677, HR 602, HR 605, HR 675, and HR 693. If minimum enrollment numbers are not met, enrolled students will be transferred to on-line sections.

Guided Electives (6 hours)

6 hours of guided electives for in-service students. For preservice students this must include 3 hours of internship.

Requirements

Students without public service experience will be required to complete a 3 hour internship (PA 685) and submit an internship report based on faculty guidelines. Students with public service experience will be required to take an additional 3 hours of coursework selected from program electives and professional electives instead of an internship.