Public Administration, MPA
School of Public Administration, College of Public Affairs & Community Service
Vision Statement
The mission of the Master of Public Administration program is to strengthen the public service in a democratic and diverse society by educating students to manage and lead public and nonprofit institutions effectively, ethically and democratically.
Program Contact Information
Tara Bryan, PhD, Graduate Program Chair (GPC)
111 College of Public Affairs & Community Service (CPACS)
402.554.2751
tbryan@unomaha.edu
Prospective Student Admissions:
Meagan Van Gelder, EdD, Advisor
111 College of Public Affairs & Community Service (CPACS)
402.554.3480
mvangelder@unomaha.edu
Current Student Advisor:
James Harrold, PhD, Advisor
111 College of Public Affairs & Community Service (CPACS)
402.554.6702
jharrold@unomaha.edu
Program Website
Other Program Related Information
Fast Track Program
The School of Public Administration has developed a Fast Track program for highly qualified and motivated students providing the opportunity to complete a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in an accelerated time frame. With Fast Track, students may count up to 9 graduate hours toward the completion of their undergraduate program as well as the graduate degree program.
Program Specifics:
- This program is available for undergraduate students pursuing any of the following who wish to pursue a Master of Public Administration degree:
- Students majoring in emergency management from the UNO School of Public Administration
- Students pursuing the Bachelor of Multidisciplinary Studies
- Students should have senior status and must be within at least 30 undergraduate credits yet to complete their undergraduate degree. Exceptional students who do not meet this requirement may be considered.
- Students must have a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.5.
- Students must complete the Fast-Track Approval form and obtain all signatures and submit to the Office of Graduate Studies prior to first enrollment in a graduate course
- Students will work with their undergraduate advisor to register for the graduate courses.
- Students must consult with the MPA advisor prior to enrollment in one of the courses listed below.
- A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 is required to remain in good standing.
- Students remain undergraduates until they meet all the requirements for the undergraduate degree and are eligible for all rights and privileges granted undergraduate status including financial aid.
- Near the end of the undergraduate program, formal application to the MPA program is required. The application fee will be waived, the applicant will need to contact the Office of Graduate Studies for a fee waiver code.
- Admission to Fast Track does NOT guarantee admission to the graduate program.
- For this program, if students maintain at least a grade of B+ in courses taken, they will be recommended for admission to the MPA program.
- The admit term must be after the completion term of the undergraduate degree.
The following courses may be taken under the Fast-Track program:
Admissions
General Application Requirements and Admission Criteria
Program-Specific Requirements
Application Deadlines (Spring 2024, and Fall 2024)
- Fall: June 1
- Spring: October 1
Other Requirements
- The general prerequisite for admission to the MPA program is a four-year bachelors’ degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA in the junior and senior years (last 50-60 credit hours)
- English Language Proficiency: Applicants are required to have a command of oral and written English. Those who do not hold a baccalaureate or other advanced degree from the United States, OR a baccalaureate or other advanced degree from a predetermined country on the waiver list, must meet the minimum language proficiency score requirement in order to be considered for admission.
- Internet-based TOEFL: 80, IELTS: 6.5, PTE: 53, Duolingo: 110
- Statement of Purpose/Admissions Essay: The essay should be two to four pages (doubled-spaced) and answer the following questions:
- Please tell us about the factors in your background that will help us understand your interest in a profession in the public or nonprofit sectors.
- What are your professional goals? Ten years from now, what do you hope to be doing professionally?
- How can an MPA from UNO help you to achieve these goals?
- Resume
- Letters of Recommendation: Two letters of recommendation are required
Generally, students will be admitted unconditionally if they have a strong undergraduate record, demonstrate good communication skills in their admission essay, receive favorable recommendations, and have goals consistent with the mission of the MPA program.
Degree Requirements
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Required Courses | ||
The School of Public Administration has seven (7) core courses required for all MPA students. 1 | ||
PA 8050 | FOUNDATIONS OF PUBLIC ADMINSTRATION | 3 |
PA 8090 | ORGANIZATION THEORY AND BEHAVIOR | 3 |
PA 8100 | ADVANCED MANAGEMENT AND LEADERSHIP FOR PUBLIC AND NONPROFIT PROFESSIONALS | 3 |
PA 8120 | ANALYSIS AND DECISION MAKING | 3 |
PA 8400 | PUBLIC AND NONPROFIT BUDGETING | 3 |
PA 8300 | POLICY DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION | 3 |
PA 8530 | PLANNING AND EVALUATION | 3 |
Concentrations | ||
See MPA Concentrations | 9 | |
General Elective Courses | ||
See MPA General Electives below | 6 | |
Specializations | ||
See MPA Specializations below | ||
At the end of the program, students complete a Capstone Project: | 3 | |
CAPSTONE PROJECT IN PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION | ||
Total Credits | 39 |
- 1
Must maintain a grade point average (gpa) of 3.2 or above during the first twelve (12) hours of public administration coursework in PA 8050, PA 8090, PA 8100 and PA 8120. Provisional students can earn no grade below a "B" in the first twelve (12) hours of coursework or the student will be dismissed or placed on academic probation. A grade of "C-" or below results in automatic dismissal.
Exit Requirements
- Capstone - 3 hours PA 8990 or
MPA General Electives
Students take two general elective courses. Any 8000 level Public Administration course may be taken as an elective (other than the required core and concentration classes). Courses from other departments may also be used as elective courses, but require approval in advance.
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
PA 8010 | THE PUBLIC ECONOMY | 3 |
PA 8030 | INTERNSHIP IN PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION | 1-6 |
PA 8040 | INTERNSHIP IN PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION | 1-6 |
PA 8100 | ADVANCED MANAGEMENT AND LEADERSHIP FOR PUBLIC AND NONPROFIT PROFESSIONALS | 3 |
PA 8120 | ANALYSIS AND DECISION MAKING | 3 |
PA 8106 | MARKETING IN PUBLIC, NON-PROFIT AND AVIATION ORGANIZATIONS | 3 |
PA 8110 | MANAGING INFORMATION IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR | 3 |
PA 8130 | MANAGING DIGITAL GOVERNANCE | 3 |
PA 8206 | COMMUNITY ORGANIZING & SOCIAL CHANGE | 3 |
PA 8320 | PUBLIC POLICY EVALUATION | 3 |
PA 8330 | SEMINAR IN POLICY ANALYSIS | 3 |
PA 8350 | SOCIAL POLICY AND INEQUALITY | 3 |
PA 8410 | PUBLIC HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT | 3 |
PA 8420 | PUBLIC WORKS MANAGEMENT | 3 |
PA 8436 | MUNICIPAL ADMINISTRATION | 3 |
PA 8440 | ORGANIZATION DEVELOP. & PLANNED CHANGE IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR | 3 |
PA 8450 | SEMINAR IN ADVANCED MANAGEMENT ANALYSIS IN PUBLIC AGENCIES | 3 |
PA 8470 | ADMINISTRATIVE ETHICS AND LEADERSHIP | 3 |
PA/AVN 8480 | SEMINAR IN PUBLIC FINANCIAL ADMINISTRATION | 3 |
PA 8500 | ISSUES IN PUBLIC-PRIVATE SECTOR COOPERATION | 3 |
PA/GERO 8516 | LONG-TERM CARE ADMINISTRATION | 3 |
PA 8520 | SEMINAR IN GRANT WRITING | 3 |
PA 8540 | NONPROFITS AND PUBLIC POLICY | 3 |
PA 8550 | INTRODUCTION TO THE NON-PROFIT SECTOR | 3 |
PA 8566 | INTERGOVERNMENTAL MANAGEMENT | 3 |
PA 8580 | NONPROFIT HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGEMENT | 3 |
PA 8596 | TECHNIQUES TOPICS IN NONPROFIT MANAGEMENT | 1-3 |
PA 8600 | ADMINISTRATIVE LAW | 3 |
PA 8616 | MUNICIPAL LAW | 3 |
PA 8676 | PROGRAMS AND SERVICES FOR OLDER ADULTS | 3 |
PA 8710 | FUND RAISING IN PUBLIC AND NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS | 3 |
PA 8740 | HEALTH CARE POLICY | 3 |
PA/BIOL/GEOG 8826 | INTRODUCTION TO ENVIRONMENTAL LAW & REGULATIONS | 3 |
PA/AVN 8896 | SPECIAL TOPICS PUBLIC ADMIN | 3 |
PA 8906 | SPECIAL TOPICS IN PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION | 1-3 |
PA 8920 | READINGS IN PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION | 1-3 |
AVN 8086 | AIRPORT SAFETY AND SECURITY | 3 |
AVN/PA 8480 | SEMINAR IN PUBLIC FINANCIAL ADMINISTRATION | 3 |
AVN/TED 8510 | AEROSPACE EDUCATION WORKSHOP | 3 |
AVN/PA 8896 | CRITICAL ISSUES IN AVIATION ADMINISTRATION | 3 |
EMGT 8060 | PLANNING, PREPAREDNESS, AND MITIGATION | 3 |
EMGT 8430 | RESPONSE, RECOVERY & RESILIENCE | 3 |
EMGT 8600 | CONTEMPORARY ISSUES IN EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT | 3 |
GERO/PA 8516 | LONG-TERM CARE ADMINISTRATION | 3 |
GERO/PHHB 8556 | HEALTH ASPECTS OF AGING | 3 |
GERO 8676 | PROGRAMS AND SERVICES FOR OLDER ADULTS | 3 |
GERO 8696/SOWK 8046 | AGING AND DIVERSITY | 3 |
PHHB 8850 | HEALTH ASPECTS OF STRESS MANAGEMENT | 3 |
PHHB 8600 | HEALTH BEHAVIOR | 3 |
PHHB 8706 | WOMEN'S HEALTH AND ISSUES OF DIVERSITY | 3 |
UBNS/BLST 8020 | RACE, ETHNICITY, AND AMERICAN CULTURE | 3 |
UBNS 8060 | INTRODUCTION TO URBAN PLANNING | 3 |
GEOG 8126 | URBAN GEOGRAPHY | 3 |
CRCJ 8010 | NATURE OF CRIME | 3 |
CRCJ 8020 | SEMINAR IN ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE | 3 |
CRCJ 8040 | SEMINAR IN POLICE AND SOCIETY | 3 |
CRCJ 8100 | CRIMINAL JUSTICE ORGANIZATION, ADMINISTRATION AND MANAGEMENT | 3 |
CRCJ 8230 | TERRORISM | 3 |
CRCJ 8800 | SPECIAL PROBLEMS IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE | 3 |
MPA Specializations
Criminology and Criminal Justice Specialization
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Required Course | ||
PA 8410 | PUBLIC HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT | 3 |
Elective Courses | ||
Select two of the following: | 6 | |
NATURE OF CRIME | ||
SEMINAR IN ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE | ||
SEMINAR IN POLICE AND SOCIETY | ||
SEMINAR IN CORRECTIONS | ||
SEMINAR IN THE CRIMINAL COURT SYSTEM | ||
SEMINAR IN JUVENILE JUSTICE | ||
SEMINAR IN WOMEN AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE | ||
TERRORISM | ||
SEMINAR ON RACE, ETHNICITY, AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE | ||
COMPARATIVE CRIMINOLOGY AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEMS | ||
SPECIAL PROBLEMS IN RESEARCH METHODS | ||
SPECIAL TOPICS IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE RESEARCH | ||
SEMINAR IN COMMUNITY-BASED CORRECTIONS | ||
SEMINAR ON INSTITUTIONAL CORRECTIONS | ||
Total Credits | 9 |
Other graduate courses in criminology & criminal justice may be appropriate depending upon the student’s interests and background. CRCJ 8090 is not recommended.
Information Management Specialization
Please note: A module needs to be complete prior to enrolling in the specialization courses.
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Required Courses | ||
PA 8110 | MANAGING INFORMATION IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR | 3 |
ISQA 8206 | INFORMATION AND DATA QUALITY MANAGEMENT | 3 |
Elective Course | ||
Select one of the following: | 3 | |
PROCESS REENGINEERING WITH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY | ||
MANAGING THE I.S. FUNCTION | ||
INFORMATION SECURITY POLICY AND ETHICS | ||
DECISION SUPPORT SYSTEMS | ||
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY PROJECT FUNDAMENTALS | ||
Total Credits | 9 |
Concentrations
Emergency Management Concentration
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Required Courses | ||
EMGT 8060 | PLANNING, PREPAREDNESS, AND MITIGATION | 3 |
EMGT 8430 | RESPONSE, RECOVERY & RESILIENCE | 3 |
PA 8566 | INTERGOVERNMENTAL MANAGEMENT | 3 |
Total Credits | 9 |
Health and Social Policy Concentration
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Required Courses | ||
PA 8740 | HEALTH CARE POLICY | 3 |
PA 8350 | SOCIAL POLICY AND INEQUALITY | 3 |
PA 8540 | NONPROFITS AND PUBLIC POLICY | 3 |
or PA 8750 | SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH | |
Total Credits | 9 |
Local Government Concentration
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Required Courses | ||
PA 8410 | PUBLIC HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT | 3 |
PA 8436 | MUNICIPAL ADMINISTRATION | 3 |
PA 8470 | ADMINISTRATIVE ETHICS AND LEADERSHIP | 3 |
Total Credits | 9 |
Nonprofit Management Concentration
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Required Courses | ||
PA 8550 | INTRODUCTION TO THE NON-PROFIT SECTOR | 3 |
PA/AVN 8480 | SEMINAR IN PUBLIC FINANCIAL ADMINISTRATION | 3 |
or PA 8410 | PUBLIC HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT | |
PA 8710 | FUND RAISING IN PUBLIC AND NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS | 3 |
Total Credits | 9 |
Public Management Concentration
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Required Courses | ||
PA 8410 | PUBLIC HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT | 3 |
PA 8600 | ADMINISTRATIVE LAW | 3 |
Select one of the following: | 3 | |
INTERGOVERNMENTAL MANAGEMENT | ||
ADMINISTRATIVE ETHICS AND LEADERSHIP | ||
MANAGING INFORMATION IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR | ||
SEMINAR IN ADVANCED MANAGEMENT ANALYSIS IN PUBLIC AGENCIES | ||
Total Credits | 9 |
Public Policy Concentration
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Required Courses | ||
PA 8320 | PUBLIC POLICY EVALUATION | 3 |
PA 8330 | SEMINAR IN POLICY ANALYSIS | 3 |
PA 8600 | ADMINISTRATIVE LAW | 3 |
Total Credits | 9 |