Welcome to the Department of Political Science Graduate Program, where passionate scholars and dedicated faculty collaborate to explore the complexities of politics, governance, and society. Whether you're pursuing advanced research or honing your professional skills, we're here to support and inspire you every step of the way. 

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Mission Statement

The Master of Public Administration (MPA) program at MSU provides students with professionally relevant, and theoretically grounded training, enabling them to become effective and ethically reflective practitioners, guided by values of integrity and service, as they pursue careers in the diverse settings of democratic governance.

Program Description

The MPA degree is a professional degree designed to prepare both pre- and mid-career professionals and administrators for supervisory, analytical support and policy-making positions in public sector agencies and non-profit organizations, at local, state and federal levels. The program stresses sound preparation in a wide range of administrative competencies. MPA coursework includes studies in public administration theory, human resource management, public budgeting, public policy process, leadership, ethics, organization dynamics, and research methods for public administrators. Available courses support specialization in local government, non-profit management, administration of Native American affairs, education leadership, planning and other subspecialties. For early career students, practical experience is gained through a supervised internship with an agency of the student's choosing.

Upon graduation, MPA students are expected to have built their capacities in the following areas:

  •     To lead and manage in public governance;
  •     To participate in and contribute to the policy process;
  •     To analyze, synthesize, think critically, solve problems and make decisions;
  •     To articulate and apply a public service perspective; and
  •     To communicate and interact productively with a diverse and changing workforce and citizenry.

 

Admissions

Degree Requirements