Policy 9-9.14 Rev 4
Date October 26, 1999
Subject: FACULTY REGULATIONS - Chapter IX - Section 20
GRADUATE STUDIES AND DEGREES
SECTION 20. REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION
Course Requirements. The Master of Public Administration degree is
offered by the Department of Political Science and administered by the Center
for Public Affairs and Administration. The M.P.A. program requires 39 to 42
credit hours of classwork, divided as follows: 24 to 27 credit hours in the
core courses and 15 credit hours in the area of concentration. A major research
paper is required, as is an internship for students without appropriate
administrative experience (three credit hours). With committee approval, a
student may write a thesis (six credit hours) in lieu of a research paper and
three credit hours in the area of concentration. Waiver of the internship is
allowable upon student supervisory committee approval. Reasons for waivers must
be based upon the student's prior or current related experience.
Student Advising. Initial advising is by the Program Manager. The
resultant tentative program for the first phase of the student's study is
reviewed by the M.P.A. Director. Before the end of 12 to 15 hours of course
work, the student should have requested formation of a supervisory committee,
representing two departments at the university, one of which must be Political
Science. The committee approves the completion of the prerequisites, approves
allowable waivers and substitutions to program requirements, gives general
guidance, approves the internship and evaluates the internship work, approves
elective coursework in the area of concentration, administers the comprehensive
examination, directs and approves the thesis or major research paper project,
and administers the oral defense.
Time Limits. Work for the M.P.A. degree may be completed within two
consecutive full-time calendar years. However, work toward the M.P.A. degree is
acceptable if competed within four consecutive calendar years. Time extensions
beyond this must be approved by the supervisory committee and the dean of the
Graduate School.
Application for Candidacy. During their third semester of work for
the degree, students should file with the chairperson of their supervisory
committee an "Application for Admission to Candidacy for the Master's
Degree." Applications must be approved by the student's supervisory
committee and the dean of the Graduate School.
Examinations. A written or oral comprehensive examination (student's
choice) and an oral defense of the major research paper or thesis are required.
Both are administered by the supervisory committee. The comprehensive should be
taken upon completion of the M.P.A. courses. The final oral defense should be
completed as soon as feasible following the submission of the thesis or major
research paper to the supervisory committee.
Language. There is no language requirement for the M.P.A. degree.
Research Paper or Thesis. Each candidate for the M.P.A. must
complete an approved major research paper or a thesis (six credit hours).
Normally, the research paper is an extension or expansion of a paper written
for a course taken as part of the program. Further guidelines for the research
paper are set by the student's supervisory committee. The thesis must be
written in the student's area of concentration and will substitute for three
hours of coursework in the area of concentration and the major research paper.
The thesis is subject to the regulations of the Graduate School governing form
and distribution.
Internship. Candidates for the M.P.A. degree are expected to
complete a semester-long, full-time equivalent internship or its equivalent in
a public administrative capacity. The purpose of the internship is to give
students an opportunity to gain experience in their chosen fields, and to speed
the transition from student to practitioner. The internship should provide a
text of knowledge acquired during coursework; and it should expose the student
to the variables of administration, including management style, the politics of
organization, personnel problems, budget and financial issues, and
interpersonal complexities in organized life. It should help the student learn
from various opportunities, personal preferences for work environment, and
professional expectations on the job. Finally, it should give the student
experience in the formulation and analysis of public policy. Thus, the student
should serve as an assistant to an administrative officer and have access to
the policy-making process of the organization.
The supervisory committee must approve the internship placement. The
internship is to be served within an agency of government, a government-related
organization, or non-profit organization. Students who come to the M.P.A.
program with significant previous related experience may petition the
supervisory committee for a waiver of the internship requirement
("significant" is defined as at least one year full-time professional
employment at a level comparable to internships normally administered through
the Center for Public Policy and Administration for M.P.A. students).
Approved: University Senate 6/2/86
Approved: Institutional Council 6/9/86
Editorially Revised: March 20, 1989.
Editorially revised 10/26/99
M02