Public Administration (MPA)
Master of Public Administration
Unit: College of Arts and Sciences (GA)
Department: Urban and Public Affairs
Program Website
Academic Plan Code(s): PADMMPA
Program Information
General Information
The Master of Public Administration (MPA) Program at the University of Louisville is central to the University's urban/metropolitan mission. The academic curriculum provides students with a solid foundation in public and nonprofit administration and prepares graduates for placement and advancement in public, private and nonprofit sector careers. The MPA faculty also advances knowledge in the field of public administration through their theoretical and applied research. The MPA is fully accredited by the National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration.
The MPA requires 42 credit hours for completion. A student can enroll on either a part-time or full-time basis. Classes are offered in formats and at times that accommodate students who work full time. Traditional classes are offered Monday through Thursday, one evening a week, from 5:30 until 8:15 PM. Hybrid-distance courses have fewer classroom meetings. Some courses are offered entirely online.
The program includes faculty from various disciplines and is aimed at providing recent college graduates, public sector practitioners, and persons in related fields with a mix of theoretical knowledge and applied skills. The degree program is available to qualified individuals holding a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university. No specific undergraduate major is required; however, coursework in economics and political science at the undergraduate level is helpful.
MUP/MA Programs
The Master in Public Administration Program offers joint degree programs with the Master in Urban Planning and the Master of Arts in Art (Creative) and Art History (Concentration in Critical and Curatorial Studies). For more information about the two dual programs please go to the program webpage.
Admission Requirements
The procedures for admission to the MPA program are as follows:
- Submit a completed online graduate application to the University of Louisville, Graduate School, Graduate Admissions. Program candidates may be admitted for fall, spring or summer semesters.
- Official transcripts verifying the receipt of a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution must be submitted to the Graduate School, Graduate Admissions.
- The Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is required. An admission decision will not be made without the GRE scores. See www.gre.org for further information about the GRE or call (800) GRE-CALL, (800) 473-2255.
- A written personal statement is required. The statement should indicate why the applicant wishes to pursue the MPA degree.
- Two letters of recommendation are required. Normally, at least one letter should be from someone who can comment on the applicant's academic performance.
- International applicants are required to take the TOEFL examination if English is not their native language. Applicants who have not scored 550 or higher on the TOEFL (210 or higher on the computer-based version) may choose to apply to the Intensive English as a Second Language (IESL) Program. Successful completion of this program or passing the Exit Examination in the advanced level of IESL will constitute proof of English proficiency.
Program Requirements
The MPA requires 42 credit hours for completion: a core curriculum of 24 credit hours, including six (6) credit hours of practicum internship or thesis; 12 credit hours from one of the three areas of emphasis; and six (6) credit hours of electives.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| PADM 600 | Foundations of Public Administration | 3 |
| PADM 601 | Research Methods for Public Affairs | 3 |
| PADM 603 | Policy Analysis and Program Evaluation | 3 |
| or PADM 606 | Urban Policy and Administration | |
| PADM 604 | Public Budgeting and Finance | 3 |
| or PADM 611 | Financial Management of Nonprofits | |
| PADM 621 | Urban Demography and GIS | 3 |
| or PADM 623 | Urban Data Analysis | |
| PADM 642 | Human Resources Management | 3 |
| PADM 682 | Practicum/Internship | 6 |
| or PADM 695 | Thesis | |
| Area of Emphasis (see below) | 12 | |
| Electives | 6 | |
| Minimum Total Hours | 42 | |
MPA students may choose six (6) credit hours of elective credits from among all PADM (Public Administration) or PLAN (Planning) courses. Students in dual degree programs requiring a thesis or internship may only be required to take three (3) credit hours of PADM 682 Practicum/Internship.
MPA Areas of Emphasis
MPA Students complete 12 credit hours from one of the three areas of emphasis below:
Urban Governance
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Twelve hours selected from the following: | 12 | |
| Public Management | ||
| Urban Policy and Administration | ||
| Ethics in Public Administration | ||
| Urban Economics | ||
| Economic Development | ||
| Mediation and Dispute Resolution | ||
| Social Equity and the Public Sector | ||
| Sustainable Development & Planning | ||
| Sustainable Urbanism | ||
| Minimum Total Hours | 12 | |
Nonprofit Management
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Twelve hours selected from the following: | 12 | |
| Nonprofit Management | ||
| Grantsmanship and Fundraising | ||
| Nonprofit Leadership and Community Engagement | ||
| Ethics in Public Administration | ||
| Mediation and Dispute Resolution | ||
| Social Equity and the Public Sector | ||
| Cultural Competency and Action | ||
| Introduction to Sustainability | ||
| Minimum Total Hours | 12 | |
Sustainable Urban Development
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Twelve hours selected from the following: | 12 | |
| Policy Analysis and Program Evaluation | ||
| Planning Theory and History | ||
| Organizational Behavior | ||
| Housing and Community Development | ||
| Economic Development | ||
| Sustainable Development & Planning | ||
| Behavioral Dimensions of Urban Sustainabilty | ||
| Sustainable Urbanism | ||
| Introduction to Sustainability | ||
| Minimum Total Hours | 12 | |
