MASTER OF  PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION

The faculty and staff of the Master of Public Administration program are delighted to help you pursue or enhance your career in the public and nonprofit sectors.  The MPA degree requires 36 hours of graduate credit including seven core courses, one advanced research course and track electives (39 hours are required for the MPA / GCHSA). 

The Master of Public Administration degree is a thirty-six hour program, with an emphasis on the technical and managerial skills necessary for a career in government, military, and non-profit organizations.  All classes are taught through the internet on a semester system.  The MPA program is a member of the National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration (NASPAA). 

Mission Statement

The purposes of the Master of Public Administration program are:

1.  to train students through theory and practice to become effective public managers, possessing both general understanding and technical expertise in the unique aspects of public administration;

2.  to serve the North Texas area by extending faculty and student resources of Midwestern State University into the region and by developing affiliations and support relationships with professional public administrators and community advisory groups;

3.  to introduce students to the profession and ideals of public administration, to help students understand the importance of honor, integrity, and ethical behavior in their personal and professional lives, and to assist students in developing a commitment to build ethical public organizations; and

4.  to cultivate in students an appreciation for the democratic process, an awareness that they are accountable to the public, a spirit of respect for all peoples, and an understanding that a public office is a public trust.

Currently there are three tracks of specialization in addition to the general MPA degree.  Those tracks are Administration of Justice, thesis, and Health Services Administration.  Also, students may wish to pursue an 18 hour Graduate Certificate in Health Services Administration in conjunction with the MPA.  Regardless of which option you choose, the MPA program faculty members are committed to preparing you for high quality public service.
Internet Courses Are Now Available! All Students taking the Internet Option Courses Pay Instate Tuition!


Graduate Admission Requirements

A bachelor's degree from a college or university approved by a regional accrediting agency is required.  Transcripts from all schools attended must be submitted to the Registrar.   Any undergraduate major is accepted and no leveling work is required.   An applicant who has earned a master's or higher degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education may be accepted without conditions on the basis of such degree. 

Unconditional Admission Guidelines

Unconditional Admission may be granted to an applicant who meets the general admission requirements of Midwestern State University graduate admission, and has met the department’s minimum Competency requirements including consideration of the following:¹

1)       A competitive score on the quantitative section of the GRE;

2)       A competitive score on the analytical writing section of the GRE;

3)       A competitive score on the reading section of the GRE;

4)       Successful completion of College Algebra with a B or better within the last 3 years, or other documented evidence of analytical skills required for graduate level work approved by the Department Chair;

5)       Successful completion of a College level course in Technical/Report Writing with a B or better within the last 3 years, or other documented evidence of graduate level writing skills approved by the Department Chair; and

6)       A basic knowledge of Excel, Word and PowerPoint to enable the student to adequately prepare assignments and effectively function within the Web-based instructional modes used in instruction.

¹  Please note these requirements are not a change from those written in the current Midwestern State Catalogue, but a clarification.

Conditional Admission Guidelines

Applicants who do not meet the requirements of unconditional admission may be admitted conditionally subject to specific requirements determined at that time.  As a general rule,

1)       Conditional admission shall continue through the first twelve hours of graduate study.

2)       If the conditional admission requires leveling courses they must be completed in the first semester of attendance with a grade of B or better, unless the department agrees otherwise.

3)       Upon reaching twelve hours, the student's records will be reviewed to determine eligibility for full admission status.

4)       The student must have a 3.2 grade point average in the first twelve hours and have no grade lower than a B in courses within the major.

5)       Any student removed from the program for academic reasons or rejected for admission to the MPA program may apply for a waiver according to directions below

Requirements for Academic Good Standing

Any student who receives two grades of C or D, or a combination of C and D, or one F will be administratively removed from the program.  MPA courses in which the student earns a grade of C or lower, may be repeated one time for a higher grade, with the approval of the department’s academic review committee.  A 3.0 overall grade point average is required for graduation, and students must have a grade of B or better in all courses in the major.

Core Curriculum 

Each student shall complete the seven courses of the core curriculum, and one advanced research course.  Core courses may be substituted in an equivalent course has been taken at the undergraduate level.  In such cases, a course substitution shall be made which allows the student to take another course but this does not reduce the number of hours required for the degree.  The core curriculum courses are:

                          The required Advanced Research Course is

PUAD 6063 Graduate Seminar in Advanced Research.

Requirements for a Graduate Minor in Public Administration

A minor requires eighteen hours in Public Administration.

Assessment and Evaluation

To complete their degree each student must write a Comprehensive Paper.  This paper is begun in PUAD 5023 and completed as a part of the course requirements in PUAD 6063.   Students must also successfully pass a comprehensive Oral Exam that covers the information they have studied while enrolled in the program. In the beginning of their final academic term, the student should also approach their academic advisor or the Department Chair and request a copy of the list of oral exam questions for that term so they can study and research the questions.  They must write up a response to each question and turn it in to the Department Chair.  This must be submitted to the Chair at least three weeks prior to the beginning of final exams week.  With the Chair’s approval the student may then schedule their oral exam.  The exam will be presided over by the Department Chair.

Additional Electives  

Some graduate courses from other academic programs may be applied to the MPA degree with the approval of the academic adviser. 

Class Meetings Schedules

MPA courses are offered on-line, but in rare cases students may be asked, or may request, to meet face-to-face during the semester to discuss highly complex or technical topics.  These meetings will be voluntary and any notes created for them will be published online.  However, students enrolled in the Health Administration Services track must note that all courses in this track meet face-to-face at the beginning and end of the semester.

For application questions please contact the department.

Phone: (940) 397-4752
E-Mail: mpa@mwsu.edu
The Master of Public Administration program at Midwestern State University is a member of the National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration (NASPAA).