2012-2013

Public Administration, Master of Public Administration

Department of Politics and International Affairs

College of Social and Behavioral Sciences

The objective of our M.P.A. program is to improve the knowledge and skills of individuals already employed in public and nonprofit organizations and to prepare less-experienced students for careers in public service. We offer courses leading to the M.P.A. degree during the day, in the evening, and on weekends. Selected courses are offered in a web-based format. Consult your program advisor about details about these courses and applicability to your program of study.

  • To receive a master’s degree at Northern Arizona University, you must complete a planned group of courses from one or more subject areas, consisting of at least 30 units of graduate-level courses. Many master’s degree programs require more than 30 units.

    You must additionally complete:

    • All requirements for your specific academic plan(s). This may include a thesis.
    • All graduate work with a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0.
    • All work toward the master's degree must be completed within six consecutive years. The six years begins with the semester and year of admission to the program.

    Read the full policy here.

In addition to University Requirements:

  • Complete individual plan requirements.

Minimum Units for Completion 36 - 39

Master's Requirements
  • Take the following 36 - 39 units:

    Core Coursework in Public Administration (15 units):Seminar or Independent Study, taken after you have completed the Core Coursework (3-6 units):
    • Seminar: POS 681, with a grade of "B" or better (6 units)
    • Independent Study: POS 697 (3 units)
    Select two courses, with your plan advisor's approval, from the following (6 units):A concentration selected with your advisor, from either a particular field or several interdisciplinary courses that comprise a coherent area of study (12 units):
    • Areas from which you may select a concentration include, but aren't restricted to, Criminal Justice Administration, Educational Administration, Environmental Management, Applied Sociology, and Tribal Government. Consult with your plan advisor for the courses suggested in these areas of concentration.
    Please note that you choose all courses in consultation with your program advisor. You may count up to two 400-level courses toward this degree if they haven't previously been counted toward a bachelor's degree.

  • Be aware that some courses may have prerequisites that you must also successfully complete. For prerequisite information, click on the course or see your advisor.