MPA, Public Administration

Degree Program Summary:

The Department of Public Administration and Policy administers the Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree and the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree. The MPA degree is designed to educate students for administrative, managerial, and policy analytical careers in federal, state, and local levels of government and the nonprofit sector. The program consists of courses that form a public management core, required management information and research courses, a socialization sequence, and electives. An internship usually served in a public agency is also required for students without administrative experience. The PhD degree is designed to prepare students for careers as researchers and scholars. Some students also seek upper-level careers in management or policy analysis in the public sector. Students must complete a minimum of nine credit hours in three fields comprised of general public administration, public policy, and an elective managerial specialization. A minimum of nine credit hours in research methods is also required. The department has research strength in public budgeting and finance, public management and organizational theory, public personnel administration / human resources management, and public policy analysis.

The Master of Public Administration Program at the University of Georgia is one of the nation’s best for public service education. It is the highest ranked graduate degree program at UGA and is ranked 3rd in the nation among hundreds of public affairs programs. Among public universities, the Georgia MPA is tied for 1st in the nation (U.S. News & World Report, 2005). The MPA Program is fully accredited by the National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration (NASPAA). To accommodate working professionals, courses are offered in the evenings at UGA’s main campus in Athens and at the University of Georgia at Gwinnett in suburban Atlanta.

The mission of the PhD Program at the University of Georgia is to achieve distinction as a leader in public administration and policy education and research. Our students are actively involved in pursuing this mission. Over the past decade, our PhD graduates have received more national dissertation awards in public administration — twelve — than graduates from any other school. Our faculty enjoy national and international reputations, and the placement record for graduates is excellent.