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    Mar 29, 2024  
2022-2023 Graduate Catalog 
    
2022-2023 Graduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Public Administration, MPA


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The mission of the MPA program is to prepare leaders for public and nonprofit organizations through an innovative curriculum and dedicated teaching; creating and disseminating knowledge to the field of public administration through interdisciplinary research and professional development activities; and serving the profession and the community to promote democratic governance and enhance quality of life.

Current information may be obtained by accessing the department’s web site at https://hps.unt.edu/master-public-administration-mpa.

The MPA degree is accredited by the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA) (1029 Vermont Avenue NW, Suite 1100, Washington, DC 20005; 202-628-8965). The curriculum conforms to NASPAA standards.

Admission requirements


All general admission requirements to the Toulouse Graduate School, as outlined elsewhere in this bulletin, must be fulfilled. Application must first be made to the Toulouse Graduate School through the office of the graduate dean. Once the student is admitted to the graduate school, the application will be reviewed by the department for admission to the MPA program. Applications to the MPA program are reviewed throughout the year.

The Master of Public Administration program uses a holistic review process for considering applications for admission. The application packet includes official transcripts for all college work (from which a grade point average is computed). Additional information may be requested for review, including up to three letters of recommendation from persons capable of evaluating the applicant’s potential for graduate study, an essay describing the applicant’s career objectives and explaining how an MPA degree will help achieve those objectives, or a current resumé. These additional materials, if requested, may be submitted to the department directly at mpa@unt.edu. Department application deadlines conform to university deadlines for applications, as indicated on the university’s website.

Degree requirements


The MPA degree requires 36 to 40 semester credit hours, depending on work experience. Depending on the length and level of managerial experience, students accepted into the program are placed into one of three categories: pre-career, in-career, or mid-career. Pre-career is for students with no managerial experience, and requires 40 hours of graduate course work, including an internship. In-career is for students with less than three years of full-time public management experience. It requires 39 hours of graduate course work. Mid-career is for students with three or more years of full-time, executive management experience, and requires 36 hours of graduate course work. The internship is not required for in-career or mid-career students.

Elective courses (18-21 hours)


Pre-Career and Mid-Career students must take six electives for 18 hours of credit. In-Career students must take 7 courses for 21 hours of credit.

Internship requirements


The purpose of the MPA internship is to provide pre-career students the opportunity to gain administrative experience in a public or nonprofit organization. It is required of all MPA students, unless they have a waiver of the requirement from the MPA Program Coordinator. Students interested in pursuing the MPA as In-Career or Mid-Career students are encouraged to send an email to the MPA Program Coordinator at mpa@unt.edu prior to New Student Orientation.

Internships must be paid and at least 440 hours of employment. If one internship is less than the minimum number of hours, an additional internship must be completed to receive academic credit for PADM 5800 . Pre-career students must register for PADM 5035  in the first or second semester of the program and before beginning an internship appointment. This course prepares students for the internship with resumé and interview preparation, and discussions of professional and ethical conduct. Pre-career students must register for PADM 5800  in the semester that coincides with their final internship hours.

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