Public Administration

Public Administration

The Master of Public Administration (MPA) at Marywood University is recognized among the best in the nation. An exclusive online 30-credit program, Marywood's MPA Program follows the National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration (NASPAA)'s accreditation guidelines. Our goal is to prepare students for challenging emergence in public administration as effective and innovative administrators equipped with practical and real-world experiences, and to train them with the vital skills, evidence-based research, and theoretical framework needed to tackle the complex environment of public affairs. 

Mona DelSole

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Accreditations

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The Master of Public Administration (MPA) Program follows the National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration (NASPAA)'s accreditation guidelines.

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About The Public Administration Department

The mission of the online Master of Public Administration program at Marywood University is to provide a high-quality education in public policy and administration to graduate students by developing their research skills applicable to theory and practice, engaging them in community service to support diversity and democratic principles, and in nurturing them become innovative and ethical leaders. 

Goals

  • Cultivating service to community and focusing on the public interest while emphasizing transparency, accountability, and ethical standards.
  • Applying critical thinking and problem-solving approach in addressing emerging issues in the public forum.
  • Establishing competency of theory and applied research in public and non-profit organizations.
  • Developing interpersonal skills and professional capacity for authentic communication with a diverse population. 

    Learning Objectives

    1. Students will be able to studying public policy and administration through evidence-based and applied research in support of collaboration between the public, private, and nonprofit sectors.
    2. Students will be able to use qualitative, quantitative, or mixed methodologies to evaluate data, form objective recommendations, and communicate results to diverse audiences.
    3. Students will be able to think critically, synthesize information, analyzing empirical data, and offer sound solutions within a complex and changing settings.
    4. Students will be able demonstrating the ability to formulate proposals at community levels while promoting diversity, transparency, accountability, and equity.
    5. Students will be able to promote culturally competent decision-making process in public service while demonstrating knowledge of best practices in decision-making.
    6. Students will be able to write research papers that identifies a problem statement, illustrates a thorough literature review, and analyzes data by using qualitative, quantitative or mix methodology and then recommending recommendations communicable to diverse audiences. This will include successfully writing sole-authored thesis projects that examine emerging issues in public affairs and administration.

    Public Administration Faculty

    Teaching Faculty

    Dr. Stanley Kania

    Dr. Phil Jenkins

    Dr. Christina Brundage

    Dr. Lia Palmiter

    In the McGowan Center for Professional Studies, you'll find specialized computerized programs, including CAI (computer-assisted instruction) and interactive video capability. General word processing and statistical software is available in the lab as well.

    Academic Medals

    Walton Medal for Excellence in Public Administration

    Master of Public Administration students are nominated by faculty for the Walton Medal.  Once students are selected for nomination, they receive a letter from the department requesting their resume and submission of documentation for the specific criteria from Dr. Walton. These criteria are:

    1. Demonstration of professionalism and integrity.
    2. Contribution to the field of public administration.
    3. Academic scholarship.
    4. Leadership in community services.

    Based on the documentation a student is then selected. 

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    Pi Alpha Alpha Honor Society

    Graduate Student Council

    MPA Internship 

    The MPA program does not require an internship but encourages internships for pre-career and career-changing students. The program assists students in locating internship opportunities on local, state, regional, national and international levels. The internship may begin as early as the second semester but it is usually taken during the latter half of one's program. Your advisor will provide you with placement assistance once you declare your interest and your registration for the Internship course (PADM 596) is approved. Approximately 400 hours of job experience is to be attained and evaluated (approximately 32 hours per week in a semester or 16 hours per week in two semesters). Each intern is responsible for negotiating a set of learning and performance objectives with the work supervisor and the program's advisor within the seven areas of POSDCoRB (Planning, Organizing, Staffing, Directing, Coordinating, Reporting and Budgeting). The statement of objectives, once completed and signed by all parties becomes a contract that the employer agrees to help the intern achieve learning objectives, the intern promises to attain the performance objectives of the agency, and the MPA program agrees that completion of the objectives requires 3 credits for the work portion of the internship. When possible the advisor visits or communicates with the supervisor to coordinate the internship. At the end of the internship, the intern is evaluated by both the supervisor and by his/ her advisor.   

    1. Federal Government Internships

    Pathways Program

    The Pathways Program includes a federal government-wide internship program for students from high school to PhD. Positions are located across the country, either part-time or full-time.

    Feds Hire Vets

    Veterans interested in continuing their public service can look into the many opportunities provided by this program.

    U.S. State Department

    The State Department manages several internship programs that enable students to get experience in a foreign affairs environment.

    U.S. Department of Transportation

    The U.S. DOT offers internship in several areas, including planning, economics, public administration and criminal justice. 

    2. Nonprofit Internship

    Idealist

    Search by name, location, or mission for volunteer and internship opportunities at nonprofit worldwide.

    3. NASPAA

    Internship Program

    The Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs and Administration (NASPAA) has internship opportunities for students of public administration.

    PublicServiceCareers.org

    Good source for finding jobs or internships. 

    Peer-Reviewed Journal

    Journal of Applied Professional Studies (JAPS)

    Resources

    Marywood Institutional Review Board (IRB)

    Marywood Exempt Review Committee (ERC)

    Sample of Published LEAD Projects                                    

    Exploring How Flexible Working Arrangements Could Affect Employee Retention in Small Nonprofits in Scranton Pennsylvania.

    Appendix to Thesis

    William Craven

    Marywood University, 2020

    The Philadelphia Association of Community Development Corporation’s Response to the Negative Effects of Gentrification on Philadelphia Residents.

    Appendix to Thesis

    Brigid McNally

    Marywood University, 2020

    The Impact of Organizational Culture on Employee Burnout.

    Appendix to Thesis

    John W. Rosengrant

    Marywood University, 2018

    Undergraduate

    Graduate

    Public Administration


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