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2010-2011 Undergraduate & Graduate Catalog

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Master of Public Administration

For additional information about opportunities your college offers, please refer to the College of Community and Public Service section in this catalog.

Director: Hoffman. Professors: Balfour, Jelier, Mast, Payne; Associate Professors: Agard, Borders, Hoffman, Robbins, Schulte; Assistant Professors: Alaimo, Cline, Kimoto, Moon, Ramanath.

Web Site: www.gvsu.edu/grad/mpa

MPA graduates are leaders. They lead their communities and organizations on the basis of advanced administrative skills with a dedication to democratic values and public service. In today's global society, such leadership takes many forms and occurs in a variety of settings. The mission of the Master of Public Administration is to develop both the general knowledge and specific abilities needed for professional careers in public service organizations. The curriculum is designed to prepare students to act ethically and effectively in public management, urban and regional policy and planning, nonprofit management, criminal justice, and health care administration.

As a professional school in an urban setting, the School of Public, Nonprofit and Health Administration is actively involved with the community in professional service activities and applied research. The program offers flexibility and innovation in curriculum design to meet the diverse educational needs of part-time and full-time students, including evening and weekend courses and workshops, and Internet enhanced learning. Because careers in administration are varied and include the public, private, and nonprofit sectors, the curriculum is designed to develop advanced executive abilities through a combination of core competencies and specialized areas of concentration. Satisfactory completion of the program of study leads to the award of the MPA degree.

Accreditation

National Association of Schools for Public Affairs and Administration

Minimum number of hours for graduation: 96

Admission

Admission to the MPA program requires:

  1. A completed graduate application.
  2. A $30 non-refundable application fee unless the applicant has previously applied to Grand Valley State University and has paid this fee.
  3. An official transcript from each undergraduate and graduate institution.
  4. An undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
  5. Three letters of reference from informed sources.
  6. An essay on career and educational objectives.
  7. Scores from either the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or equivalent examination for international students whose native language is not English.

Applicants must have a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher calculated on the last two years of undergraduate work. In addition, applicants must submit an application essay and three letters of recommendation.

Applicants with less than a 3.0 grade point average may be admissible if other indicators predict a likelihood of academic success. These may include five or more years of professional work experience since receiving the baccalaureate degree; a personal interview; and/or a GRE or GMAT score. Decision of the admissions committee is final.

Completed applications are thoroughly reviewed by the school's admissions committee. To ensure full consideration for fall admission, all application materials should be received by May 1. Early application is strongly encouraged. The committee reserves the right to require additional information it deems appropriate and necessary. The majority of students admitted to the school will begin their studies in the fall semester. Late applicants will be admitted on the basis of remaining vacancies. January applications should be received by November 1.

Students who do not meet all requirements but whose experience, achievement, etc., may warrant an exception will be invited for a personal interview to discuss admission and further explore the program. Final admission decisions are promptly communicated in writing to each applicant.

Students in the process of applying for admission may enroll in PA 520 in a non degree status.

Workshop

The MPA program offers workshops on a credit or no-credit basis. The format and scheduling of the workshops as well as other coursework are flexible and may include weekend meetings. Students are admitted to the workshops with advisor approval. No more than three credits of workshops may be applied to fulfill degree requirements.

Transfer Credit

A maximum of 12 semester hours of transfer credit will be given for appropriate graduate courses completed within the previous five-year period with a grade of B or better at another college or university. These transfer credits may be substituted for required courses or given general credit as determined by the faculty.

Requirements for the M.P.A. degree

The MPA degree consists of a minimum of 39 credit hours of coursework. Precareer students must take 3 credit hours of internship in addition to the 39 required hours of course work for a total of 42 credit hours. Students must meet with an advisor upon entry into the program to develop a program of study.

The program core includes 15 credit hours, as follows:

Students must also select one concentration specialization of 15 credit hours.

Concentrations (15 credit hours)

Public Management

And select two of the following:

Urban and Regional Policy and Planning

Health Administration

Nonprofit Management and Leadership

Criminal Justice

Electives

Workshop Electives

At least 9 credits may be selected from other concentration areas or other graduate courses, including the following one-credit workshops (a maximum of three workshop credits may be applied to the degree):

Internship

All pre-career students are required to take at least three internship credits (in addition to 39 hours of course work) from:

Thesis

Students are not required to submit a thesis, but those pursuing policy expertise or those considering going on in a doctoral studies are strongly encouraged to take up to six hours of:

M.S.W. and M.P.A. Degree Programs

The Schools of Social Work and Public, Nonprofit and Health Administration offer prospective students the option to pursue both graduate degrees offered by these units (MSW and MPA). This entails taking coursework in both disciplines in order to be well prepared to seek middle- and upper-level management position is either public or private human service organizations. Those earning the two degrees will attain the knowledge, skills and values of the social work profession with the advanced administrative and technical expertise developed through the study of public administration to become leaders in their organizations and communities. Currently, Grand Valley State University policies enable a student to pursue the MSW degree as the first masters degree and the MPA degree as a second masters degree by completing 21 credits in the MPA program.

Applicants must submit the following items to the Grand Valley State University Admissions Office in Allendale, Michigan:

  • Completed graduate application for admission to both the MSW program and MPA program
  • $30 nonrefundable application fee
  • Official copies of transcripts from all institutions of higher education attended, other than Grand Valley
  • Three letters of recommendation from individuals able to attest to the candidate's qualifications for graduate work and professional practice
  • Current resume detailing work and volunteer experience
  • A 2 to 3 page essay about life experiences that have led to an interest in administrative practice in a social agency, including assessment of personal strengths and areas for growth
  • A 2 page essay articulating how pursuing the MSW and MPA degrees will help achieve educational and professional career goals

No further action on candidacy will be taken until all requested materials have been received by the Admissions Office. Applications may be obtained through the University or either school. Completed application files will be reviewed by the MSW program and the MPA program. Students must meet the basic requirements for graduate study as defined by each School. Either program may also request additional information from an applicant before granting full admissions status and a personal interview may be required.

M.S.W. and M.P.A. Requirements

For students who are not seeking or do not qualify for Advanced Standing, 78 credit hours of study are required. For Advanced Standing students, 63 credits are required. Students must be willing to take a minimum of two courses per semester, including spring/summer, and are expected to complete coursework within four calendar years. A three-semester practicum is required; students will spend a major portion of the time applying the knowledge learned in the classroom regarding macro practice. Students must complete a minimum of 21 credits of Public Administration courses along with the courses necessary to earn the MSW.

Required Courses - 72 credits

Note: Advanced Standing students are exempt from SW 600, SW 601, SW 603, SW 610 and SW 620. All other courses listed are required.

Advanced Policy Course

Field Education

Advanced Practice Courses

Choice of 2 Electives (Note: One elective must be a PA course) - 6 credits


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