Department of Political Science and Public Administration - Master of Public Administration

Faculty

Acting Department Head: Dr. King Godwin 

Master of Public Administration

Graduate Faculty

Professors: Dr. Nasir Ahmed, Dr. Lemmy Akoma, and Dr. Charles Mitchell

Associate Professors: Dr. Sarah Dennis, Dr. Rose Harris, and Dr. Fabian Nabangi

 

Mission

The mission of the Master of Public Administration Program is to prepare individuals from diverse and multicultural backgrounds for administrative careers in federal, state, and local government services and other public and non-profit organizations. The MPA Program prepares its student’s to be critical thinkers who are capable of applying the knowledge of public administration specifically in the areas of policy-making, policy evaluation and execution with a focus on ethical conduct in public management. The Master of Public Administration Program at Grambling State University is the only accredited MPA program in north Louisiana and one of only two accredited MPA programs in the state of Louisiana.

 

Overview

The Department of Political Science and Public Administration offers the Master of Public Administration (MPA) with a concentration in one of four areas:

  • Public Management
  • State and Local Government
  • Human Resource Management
  • Health Services Administration

A minimum of 45 credit hours is required for the MPA degree including 30 hours in core courses, a minimum of 12 in at least one area of concentration, and 3 elective hours. In addition to the course work, a student must pass a written Comprehensive Examination in the Core Area and in the chosen Area of Concentration. Eligibility requirements for the exam are set forth in the “Policies and Procedures for the Administration and Evaluation of the Comprehensive Examination” guidelines. In lieu of the Comprehensive Examination, a student may complete the Master’s Thesis option.

Requirements for admission to the MPA Program include the following criteria:

  • Regular admission to the Graduate School
  • A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in the United States or proof of equivalent education at a foreign university
  • A 3.00 or higher GPA on the undergraduate level
  • Minimum GRE or GMAT scores (Contact department for minimum score)

Requirements for graduation from the MPA Program include the following criteria:

  • Completion of 45 semester hours of course work with a minimum GPA of 3.00, which must include 30 hours of core MPA courses
  • A passing grade on a written comprehensive examination. Eligibility requirements to take the comprehensive examination are set forth in the “Policies and Procedures for the Administration and Evaluation of the Comprehensive Examination” which is available from the Department of Political Science and Public Administration. A Master’s Thesis Option may be used in place of the Comprehensive Examination.

 

MPA Curriculum Plan  

Core Courses

Public Administration 523

3

Public Administration 500

3

Public Administration 519

3

Public Administration 556

3

Public Administration 502

3

Public Administration 512

3

Public Administration 504

3

Public Administration 506

3

Public Administration 560

3

Public Administration 553

3

Concentration Area

12

Elective

3

TOTAL HOURS

45

 

Areas of Concentration

A minimum of 45 credit hours is required for the MPA including at least 12 credit hours for an area of concentration. Students must choose at least one area of concentration. Students should see Departmental advisor for other requirements and specifics for each concentration area.

Public Management

Public Administration 513

3

Public Administration 514

3

Public Administration 515

3

Public Administration 516

3

Public Administration 517

3

Public Administration 518

3

Public Administration 520 (Required)

3

Public Administration 521

3

 

State & Local Government Administration

Public Administration 510

3

Public Administration 513

3

Public Administration 514

3

Public Administration 515

3

Public Administration 516

3

Public Administration 517

3

Public Administration 518

3

Public Administration 520 (Required)

3

Public Administration 531

3

 

Human Resource Management

Public Administration 522

3

Public Administration 524

3

Public Administration 525 (Required)

3

Public Administration 527

3

 

Health Services Administration

Public Administration 540 (Required)

3

Public Administration 541

3

Public Administration 542

3

Public Administration 543

3

Public Administration 544

3

Public Administration 546

3

Public Administration 547

3

 

Electives*

Public Administration 505†

3

Public Administration 507**

3

Public Administration 550

3

Public Administration 552

3

Public Administration 565

3

 

*Not an exhaustive list. See departmental advisor for other elective courses.

**This course cannot be used as a substitute for a core course.

†Required for students whose undergraduate degree is not in Political Science or Public Administration. May also be required for students with an overall GPA below 3.0.