The Master of Public Administration (MPA) at DePaul University prepares students interested in public administration to serve the common good and advance a just society, in the spirit of St. Vincent de Paul. The MPA is designed for current government professionals or individuals seeking to pursue a career in the public sector. The degree equips students with a broad public administration knowledge in government—local, state, federal and international.
The MPA program offers concentrations in: cybersecurity; public management; emergency management; health care administration; international public management; standard; and metropolitan planning and urban affairs.
This degree is accredited by Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs and Administration (NASPAA).
Mission Statement
The Master in Public Administration (MPA) degree prepares students for leadership and administrative roles in public service. We educate students on the technical, managerial, and leadership skills required to deliver effective, accountable, and equitable government services. We promote compassion for marginalized communities and ethical service to all people with a focus on social justice, professionalism, cultural sensitivity, and transparency.
| Program Requirements | Quarter Hours |
|---|---|
| Core Requirements | 36 |
| Concentration Requirements | 16 |
| Total hours required | 52 |
The Master of Public Administration may also be expanded to include select graduate certificate programs covering particular areas of interest. Students participating in a combined MPA/certificate program should consult with their academic advisor (SPSAdvising@depaul.edu) to determine what coursework might count toward both programs. A separate application process for the certificate is required. A separate application process for the certificate may be required. Students who are interested in any of the following combination programs should contact the Graduate Student Services Office for additional information.
- Public Administration + Community Development Certificate
- Public Administration + Critical Ethnic Studies
- Public Administration + Emergency Management Administration Certificate
- Public Administration + Geographic Information Systems Certificate
- Public Administration + Global Health Certificate
- Public Administration + Health Care Administration Certificate
- Public Administration + Metropolitan Planning and Development Certificate
- Public Administration + Social Research Certificate
- Public Administration + Strategic Writing and Advancement for Nonprofits Certificate
- Public Administration + Sustainable Urban Food Systems Certificate
- Public Administration + Translation and Interpreting
- Public Administration + Women's and Gender Studies Certificate
Learning Outcomes
Students will be able to:
- Apply leadership and organizational management skills and concepts in an ethical manner amidst an ever-changing public sector.
- Analyze and interact with governance structures, jurisdictional boundaries and the public policy and implementation processes.
- Analyze and synthesize data regarding an existing public affairs issue and use empirical analysis to prepare solutions for informed, decision-making in the public sector using critical thinking.
- Articulate in written or oral forms a commitment to ethical service to all people with a focus on social justice, professionalism, efficiency, cultural sensitivity, and transparency.
- Integrate the social justice lens in delivery of services and programs to a diverse public and workforce.
Degree Requirements
Students complete a total of 13 courses (52 credit hours). Nine courses (36 credit hours) of core course work and four courses (16 credit hours) in a concentration are required.
Core Courses
| Course | Title | Quarter Hours |
|---|---|---|
| MPS 500 | INTRODUCTION TO PUBLIC SERVICE MANAGEMENT | 4 |
| MPS 501 | CROSS-SECTOR ANALYSIS | 4 |
| MPS 514 | GOVERNMENT FINANCIAL ADMINISTRATION | 4 |
| MPS 522 | FUNDAMENTALS OF HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT | 4 |
| MPS 533 | APPLIED STATISTICS FOR PUBLIC SERVICE (USING EXCEL) | 4 |
| or MPS 536 | APPLIED STATISTICS FOR PUBLIC SERVICE (USING SPSS) | |
| MPS 541 | ECONOMIC FOUNDATIONS OF PUBLIC SERVICE | 4 |
| MPS 583 | RESEARCH METHODS FOR PUBLIC SERVICE | 4 |
| MPS 593 | INTEGRATIVE SEMINAR | 4 |
| MPS 594 | ETHICAL LEADERSHIP IN PUBLIC SERVICE | 4 |
Internship Capstone Option
Students may choose to replace MPS 593 with MPS 610 Internship Capstone option.
Concentration
Students in the MPA program are required to choose a concentration: Cybersecurity, Emergency Management, Metropolitan Planning and Urban Affairs, International Public Management, Health Care Administration, Public Management or Standard.
Internship Option
Students can opt to complete an internship or professional development experience in a government setting. The student would enroll in MPS 601 for course credit, which will be applied to the MPA degree by the student's adviser. Contact SPSAdvising@depaul.edu for more details.
Concentrations, tracks and specializations provide focus to the degree. In addition to any degree requirements, students are required to choose one of the following:
- Cybersecurity Concentration, Public Administration (MPA)
- Emergency Management, Public Administration (MPA)
- Health Care Administration, Public Administration (MPA)
- International Public Management, Public Administration (MPA)
- Metropolitan Planning and Urban Affairs, Public Administration (MPA)
- Public Management, Public Administration (MPA)
- Standard, Public Administration (MPA)
Student Handbook
Students in the School of Public Service will follow many of the requirements, rules, and regulations set by the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences and the DePaul University Graduate Handbook. There are additional academic regulations specific to students in the School of Public Service. Please see information below.
Academic Probation
All students within the School of Public Service must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.7 or higher as part of their requirements for graduation. As a result, any student who earns a cumulative GPA below 2.7 (B-) is placed on academic probation. Students on academic probation are required to meet with the Assistant Director for Academic Advising to discuss their performance and determine a plan for improvement.
Dismissal
Students who are not able to raise their cumulative GPA to a minimum of 2.7 within two academic quarters (after being placed on academic probation) are subject to dismissal from the program.
Readmission
If a student is dismissed from the program (as outlined in the dismissal policy), he or she may reapply through the formal admission application process.
Graduation Requirements
In order to graduate from the program, students must complete all program requirements with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.7 or higher. If a student's cumulative GPA is below a 2.7, he or she may be denied graduation.
Non-Degree Seeking Students
While School of Public Service courses are open to non-degree seeking graduate students, pre-requisite requirements for certain courses may be enforced.