Public Administration

Academic Programs

 Masters of Public Administration    Minor in Nonprofit Management    Nonprofit Certificate Program

Master of Public Administration Degree

The mission of the Master of Public Administration (M.P.A.) program is to prepare students for careers and leadership roles in public and nonprofit organizations and to nurture their commitment to ethical public service in a diverse society.
For more detailed information on the MPA program please refer to the MPA Student Handbook.
Program Admission Requirements. Applicants must satisfy University-wide graduate admission requirements, submit a letter of intent, and complete undergraduate courses in research methods or statistics and U.S. government (politics). The 500 word letter of intent should state the applicant’s reasons for pursuing the M.P.A., how their educational and/or career experience has prepared them for the M.P.A. program, and how the degree will help the applicant achieve her or his goals. Two letters of recommendation are required. Applicants may be admitted as unconditional, conditional, or special graduate students. Admission as a special graduate student does not guarantee subsequent admission as a degree-seeking student; such students must reapply for degree-seeking status. 
Degree Requirements. The minimum number of semester credit hours required for the degree, exclusive of coursework or other study required to remove deficiencies, is 39. In addition to these basic degree requirements, students without previous public service employment must complete an additional 6 semester credit hours of PAD 6963,6 Internship. 
Degree candidates must complete the following requirements: 
A. 24 semester credit hours of core courses: 
PAD 5003 Introduction to Public Administration 
PAD 5023 Quantitative Methods for Public Administration 
PAD 5033 Theories of Public Organizations 
PAD 5233 Scope and Methods of Inquiry 
PAD 5323 Public Policy Formulation and Implementation 
PAD 5343 Human Resource Management in the Public Sector 
PAD 5363 Public Sector Financial Management 
PAD 5393 Economics for Public Administrators
Normally, students enroll in PAD 5003 during their initial semester. 
B. 12 semester credit hours of electives, chosen in consultation with a faculty advisor. 
C. Comprehensive examination. Degree candidates are required to pass an oral comprehensive examination. The examination is administered in the form of a presentation to a faculty committee of the exit paper written by the student in the required PAD 6923 Applied Research course. 
Important Links: 
Graduate School Application
MPA Recommendation Form 
Assistantship & Financial Aid
Class Schedule Fall 2009
Class Schedule Summer 2009
Application for graduation procedures
MPA Policies and Procedures Fall 06
Change of Catalog Request Form
Quick Check List 
1. Submit graduate application to the Office of Graduate Studies 
2. Send all transcripts to the Office of Graduate Studies 
3. Send in resume to the Department of Public Administration (optional) 
4. Send in 500 word letter of Intent (statement of purpose) to the Office of Graduate Studies 
5. Submit two letters of recommendation to the Office of Graduate Studies 

The mission of the Master of Public Administration (M.P.A.) program is to prepare students for careers and leadership roles in public and nonprofit organizations and to nurture their commitment to ethical public service in diverse society.

For more detailed information on the MPA program please refer to the MPA Student Handbook.

Program Admission Requirements: Applicants must satisfy University-wide graduate admission requirements, submit a letter of intent, and complete undergraduate courses in research methods or statistics and U.S. government (politics). The 500 word letter of intent should state the applicant’s reasons for pursuing the M.P.A., how their educational and/or career experience has prepared them for the M.P.A. program, and how the degree will help the applicant achieve her or his goals. Two letters of recommendation are required. Applicants may be admitted as unconditional, conditional, or special graduate students. Admission as a special graduate student does not guarantee subsequent admission as a degree-seeking student; such students must reapply for degree-seeking status. 

Degree Requirements: The minimum number of semester credit hours required for the degree, exclusive of coursework or other study required to remove deficiencies, is 39. In addition to these basic degree requirements, students without previous public service employment must complete an additional 6 semester credit hours of PAD 6963,6 Internship. 

Degree candidates must complete the following requirements: 

A. 24 semester credit hours of core courses: 

PAD 5003 Introduction to Public Administration 

PAD 5023 Quantitative Methods for Public Administration 

PAD 5033 Theories of Public Organizations 

PAD 5233 Scope and Methods of Inquiry 

PAD 5323 Public Policy Formulation and Implementation 

PAD 5343 Human Resource Management in the Public Sector 

PAD 5363 Public Sector Financial Management 

PAD 5393 Economics for Public Administrators

Normally, students enroll in PAD 5003 during their initial semester. 

B. 12 semester credit hours of electives, chosen in consultation with a faculty advisor. 

C. Comprehensive examination. Degree candidates are required to pass an oral comprehensive examination. The examination is administered in the form of a presentation to a faculty committee of the exit paper written by the student in the required PAD 6923 Applied Research course. 

Important Links: 

Graduate School Application

MPA Recommendation Form 

Quick Checklist 

1. Create account for completing the online application at https://apply.embark.com/grad/utsa/36/.

2. Review requirements and eligibility for applying to the MPA program.

3. Submit completed online application, with 500 word Letter of Intent, requesting all transcripts from previous colleges and universities be mailed to The Graduate School. 

4. Submit two letters of recommendation to the Office of Graduate Studies 

 

Deadlines

Spring

November 1st

Summer

May 1st

Fall

July 1st