Program Description

The Master of Public Administration program provides a quality graduate degree that is affordable, responsive to local workforce needs and is accessible to working part-time commuting students who seek to serve the public through employment in governmental and other non-profit institutions.

The Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree is an interdisciplinary program sponsored by the departments of Political Science, Criminal Justice, Geography and Regional Planning, and Economics and Business Management. Academic stewardship of this program will be the responsibility of a graduate committee consisting of one representative from each of these departments, selected by the recommendation from the graduate committee. Faculty teaching courses in the Public Administration program will serve as participating, but non-voting, members of the graduate committee.

Program Objectives

The primary purpose of this Master’s Degree program is to transmit to students the knowledge and skills necessary for the effective and efficient administration of public and non-profit agencies. The program goal is to train people for leadership positions in the public sector, with a particular emphasis on the development of core knowledge areas and administrative skills. Specifically, the program is designed to promote:

1. The development of an advanced grasp of the nature of public administration and its function within the American political system; this includes a knowledge of the process by which public policy is created and implemented at the local, state and federal levels of government;
2. Advanced knowledge of the principles, theories and practices related to directing a complex public-sector organization. Specifically:
   1. a grasp of the principles and practices of organizational behavior and leadership;
   2. advanced knowledge of the principles and practices of budgeting and public finance;
   3. an advanced understanding of the legal environment affecting public sector management.
3. The development of organizational and managerial skills necessary to direct a complex public organization, including:
   1. skills critical for successful human resources management;
   2. strategic planning and problem-solving skills;
   3. quantitative and qualitative program evaluation techniques;
   4. interpersonal skills and an understanding of group dynamics.
4. The development of quantitative analytical techniques, statistical methods, and qualitative research competencies relevant for public management.
5. An awareness of ethical issues affecting the public sector.
6. A concentration of study in one of three areas: non-profit management, public management, or criminal justice administration.

Admission Requirements

The Graduate Committee will evaluate applications for admission. Each application will include:

1. Official transcripts indicating a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, which includes at least 15 credits of coursework in a field appropriate for the program, such as management, political science, regional planning or criminal justice;
2. A minimum 2.8 GPA overall or minimum 3.0 GPA for the last two years of undergraduate studies;
3. A satisfactory GRE or MAT score;
4. A narrative statement (of approximately 350 words) about your professional goals, academic experience, work experience and other factors that support your application.
5. Three letters of recommendation. At least one academic recommendation is suggested.

The graduate committee will also consider, on an individual basis, applicants with significant professional experience or special qualifications who do not meet minimum admission standards.

Program Requirements - 36 Credits

The M.P.A. program at Westfield State centers on a fixed set of seven required “core” courses and a 15 credit substantive specialization. Our core is informed by the NASPAA curriculum guidelines described in their “Standards for Professional Masters Degree Programs”. As such, our core courses cover the essential areas of knowledge or skill necessary for public sector management. Overall, the M.P.A. curriculum requires students to complete 36 credit hours, comparable to other programs nationally and in the state.

Public Management Track - 15 Credits

Fifteen credits chosen from the following (or from other GARP graduate offerings as approved by an assigned advisor):

• PADM 0620 - Public Budgeting: Politics and Practices Credits: 3
• PADM 0625 - Administrative Law Credits: 3
• PADM 0610 - Human Resource Management Skills Credits: 3
• PADM 0640 - The Regional Economy of New England Credits: 3
• PADM 0665 - Managing Towns and Cities Credits: 3
• PADM 0680 - Special Topics in Public Administration Credits: 3
• PADM 0699 - Independent Study in Public Management Credits: 3
• GARP 0515 - City Planning Theories and Practical Applications Credits: 3
• GARP 0600 - Sustainability and Governance in the 21st Century Credits: 3
• GARP 0535 - Community Preparedness: Organization and Development of Community Master Plans Credits: 3
• GARP 0544 - GIS: Mapping Community Data Credits: 3

Note:

Because completion of the Capstone Experience validates and demonstrates mastery of curricular objectives, there will be no comprehensive examination requirement for students in the public administration program.