Master of Public Administration (MPA)

School of Government & Law

Make a Difference with Our Master of Public Administration Program.

A recognized leader in the field of education, the Taft University System is pleased to offer a Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree. This intensive, graduate degree program provides students with the skills, knowledge, and network they will need to be successful professionals and engaged citizens serving the public good across local, national, and international government, nonprofit, and private sectors.

Our MPA program is designed to meet the growing need to advance public policy, enhance public management, and bridge the private and public sectors.  Its curricular focus is grounded in a comprehensive view of public service education that equips students with the skills needed to implement effective policy; manage organizations with diverse stakeholders; and apply rigorous, evidence-based analysis to inform decision-making. Our students move on to successful careers, making an impact by serving the public good, finding jobs in national, state, local, and international government, nonprofit organizations, and for-profit companies throughout the US and around the world.

Our MPA program is offered in both the Independent Study and Directed Study modalities.

Learning Modalities | Curriculum | Program Outcomes | Admissions Process

Upcoming Start Dates:
Independent Study: September 2nd | October 28th
Directed Study: September 2nd | January 6th

Tuition: $315/credit

Credits Required: 30

Total Program Tuition: $9,450

Learning Modalities:
Independent Study & Directed Study

Admissions Requirements:
Bachelor’s Degree

Program Catalog | FAQs

Did you enroll in our MPA program before the October 26, 2021 start date? You can find your program catalogs and other relevant information here.

Choose the Learning Modality that Fits Your Needs & Goals.

Independent Study

Our Independent Study modality gives you the flexibility to fit your program around your career and lifestyle.

Students have 8 weeks to complete each course, working independently with the support of a faculty mentor. The time to degree completion may be accelerated or extended, within the guidelines of the University.

Each course in the program contains a series of lesson assignments, generally consisting of reading assignments supplemented occasionally by various multimedia. Students are evaluated through examinations and/or research assignments, which are submitted for faculty evaluation.

Pay tuition in installments completely interest-free — each semester, just make a 30% downpayment upfront, followed by 3 monthly payments.

Start on any of six start dates throughout the year.

Directed Study

Our Directed Study modality offers a more structured and collaborative online learning experience.

Students will move through the program with a cohort of other students, typically completing one course at a time and two courses, or six credits, per semester. Each 8-week course in this program contains a series of readings, lesson assignments, and regular online asynchronous discussions.

Directed Study students may apply for federal financial aid to cover the cost of their education.

Start on any of three start dates throughout the year.

 
 

Curriculum

A total of 30 credits are required for graduation from the University with an MPA. A student may transfer in a maximum of 15 credits.

All required and elective courses in the MPA program are available to view below.

 

+ Required Courses

This is the gateway course to the field of public administration. It examines the major intellectual and constitutional foundations of American government and public administration as well as current trends. The course includes theoretical and practical aspects of key governmental processes, the historical development of the field, contributions of social science to understanding organizations, and ethical issues in contemporary government activities.

This course explores the study of the legal framework of public administration. Basic principles of constitutional law and the institutions of American government are reviewed. The development of administrative agency as a contemporary legal and social phenomenon and its relationship to other branches of government are considered.

Covers political and organizational perspectives on the policy-making process: agenda setting, policy design, adoption, implementation, evaluation, modification or termination, policy leadership skills, negotiation, and strategic mapping.

This course considers issues related to politics in states and communities using a comparative approach. “Its focus is on conflicts in states and communities and the structures and processes designed to manage conflict” (Dye & MacManus, 2015, Preface). The course considers how conflict is carried on, how leaders act in conflict situations, and decisions are made about who gets what.

This course covers the foundations of international relations and provides a comprehensive view of how interdependence and the forces of globalization are creating serious challenges to governments. The political, economic, and cultural forces are discussed in relation to contemporary globalization and world affairs.

This course addresses the conceptual foundations and craft skills required to perform policy analysis. Students in this course will consider core economic principles and learn key research and communication skills, which are needed to construct applied analysis.

This course covers the theory and practice of public budget preparation and review, governmental accounting and auditing, and political issues in the budget process. The course includes consideration of capital budgeting, revenue estimation, and the history of budget reform efforts.

This course covers economics and the role of the government in an economy. Economists are concerned with the distributional aspects of resources and the ramifications of resource use. The primary objective of this course is to familiarize the student with basic economic concepts and theories that have been developed to explain economic issues that are faced, decisions that are made, and policies that are implemented.

This course considers whether globalization benefits or harms national economies. This course takes a close look at how changes in regulations governing international trade and investment, when coupled with changes in political systems and technology, have dramatically altered the competitive playing field confronting many businesses. It discusses the resulting opportunities and threats and reviews the strategies that managers can pursue to exploit the opportunities and counter the threats.

This Capstone course requires preparation of a written project demonstrating scholarship on some aspect of public administration, normally in-depth treatment of an applied management concern; must be approved by a thesis committee (chairperson and two faculty members). Concurrent enrollment in final courses with Dean’s approval.

 

Program Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the program, graduates will be able to:

PLO1 – Demonstrate an advanced understanding of public administration's theoretical and historical foundations.

PLO2 – Use core competencies for managing individuals, groups, clients, and programs.

PLO3 – Apply ethics and the values of personal integrity, accountability, equity, and fairness in the public interest.

PLO4 – Apply knowledge and skills to improve the quality of operations in public organizations and the community.

PLO5 – Summarize, appraise, and communicate technical and professional information orally and in writing.

 

Admissions Process

  • Apply Online

    Complete our online Application Form and attach any prepared documents. Additional documents may be emailed directly to Admissions@Taft.edu or your Admissions Representative after your application form is submitted.

    Required Documentation:

    • Bachelor’s Transcript

    • Resume

    • Copy of ID

  • Transfer & Portfolio Credit Approval

    Students enrolling in our MPA program are able to transfer in up to 15 credits from previously-taken coursework or experiential learning. To bring in transfer credits, incoming students must pay our Transfer Credit Evaluation Fee. Students receiving portfolio credits must pay our Portfolio Credit Evaluation Fee.

    Please email your admissions representative or Admissions@Taft.edu with any questions.

  • Choose Your Start Date

    Independent Study students are able to begin their program on any of six start dates throughout the year.

    Directed Study students are able to begin their program on any of three start dates throughout the year.

    Complete information about our start dates, holidays, and other important dates can be found on our Academic Calendar.

    Once you’re accepted into the program, your admissions representative will confirm your start date with you.

  • Complete Your Enrollment Materials

    Once your start date is confirmed, you’ll be provided with enrollment materials to fill out and sign.

    For students using our cash pay option, this includes the first tuition payment.