Master of Public Administration (M.P.A.)

Program Objectives

The Master of Public Administration program at Marywood is an exclusive professional online program, recognized as one of the Best Online Master Degree Programs in the nation by bestcolleges.com. All courses are offered through Moodle. The program values ethical, innovative, dynamic, and practical approaches toward public service shaped by the process of participatory engagement in the complex environment of public administration.

Specifically, the program strives to:

1. Exposing students to a wide range of public affairs and administrative issues, as well as processes, practices, and responsibilities involved in public service.
2. Training public administrators on active engagement in problem solving.
3. Training public managers and administrators on all levels to adapt ethical responses toward issues of public service.
4. Developing collegial and supportive associations within the profession to share resources and expertise on local, national, and international levels.
5. Preparing students plan, organize, staff, coordinate, implement, and administer public service.
6. Facilitating students' understanding and command of theories and applied social sciences related to the delivery of public service.
7. Preparing students develop analytical, assessment and evaluation skills for effective managerial decision-making within the complex environment of public administration.
8. Helping students articulate their awareness of social justice through active community participation and evidence-based research.
9. Providing advanced education in management related to the provision of public service, especially in the areas of public policy and administration, state and local government, the federal government, international relations and foreign policy, national security, disaster management, and nonprofit leadership.

The MPA at Marywood University is involved in network development on international level to promote practical approaches to administrative science in the public sphere. Rather than focusing on outdated policy and administrative issues, the program is focusing on developing cooperative efforts to engage in networking and promoting social justice, peace, and ethical leadership. The program seeks giving voice to victims of wars, genocide and oppression around the world, including providing access to education. The program also seeks engagement and cooperation with NGOs on the global level to advocate sound political and economic policies, providing solutions to problems while advocating liberty and human dignity to all members of the human society. The program also aims at developing international networks of public administrators that can embody collaboration and partnership, professionalism, public integrity and democratic principles.

The MPA at Marywood University is involved in researching issues of public and administrative affairs, nonlinear dynamics, homeland security, disaster management, peace and nonviolence in resolving conflicts and comparative international administrative systems. The program is working to coordinate annual and periodic conferences that engage local, regional, national and international scholars at Marywood University and publish scholarly work in a program-sponsored peer-reviewed journal. The goal is to transform the program into an international think-tank for public policy and administration. These objectives are used as catalysts to examine the characteristics of partnership building, value sharing and prototypes intrinsic in applying supportive paths to addressing issues of public affairs.

The MPA at Marywood University considers the extent different issues in public administration impact the particularities as well as the broad array of administrative systems. An effective means of productive involvement is to form skills, attitudes and behaviors that integrate administrative practices in dynamic inter-related networks. Our focus is constructing common ground for dialogue in order to apply practical skills for ensuring collaborative interactions within public administrators on local, national, and international levels. The program, as such, is building approaches incrementally while forging alliances with other local, regional, national and international educational programs in public administration in order to foster a commitment toward transforming the discipline into an effective analytical tool in the study and practice of public administration. Accordingly, the MPA at Marywood University is engaged in the development of the following activities:

1. Coordinating and organizing annual and periodic conferences on public affairs and administration through international dialogue. These conferences will include local, regional, national and international participants.
2. Publishing a peer-reviewed journal on public policy and administration as a tool for peace studies, security, public service, dialogue and conflict resolution.
3. Offering workshops to local and regional public managers.

Master of Public Administration Program Overview

The MPA at Marywood University, recognized among the best in the nation. The program is an exclusive online 30 credit hours that 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 needed skills, evidence-based research and theoretical framework in order to tackle the complex environment of public affairs. 

The MPA degree is both marketable and professional. It prepares students for management careers in public and nonprofit organizations as well as administrative positions in the public sector. The degree is ideal for students who are committed to public service and want to make a positive difference in the world. 

The program affords students with opportunities to get involved in public affairs as soon as they begin the program, focusing on civic engagement and public responsibilities on local, national and international levels. The curriculum combines evidence-based research, applied theory, and practical skill development in order to prepare students for conceptual, analytical, and ethical applications of administrative solutions to problems.

With classes scheduled online and delivered through Moodle students can enroll on full or part-time basis and from the comfort of their homes around the world. Faculty expertise include all substantive policy areas which enable them to teach, advise, research, and serve the students, community and profession. Here are few other reasons to consider the MPA program at Marywood University:

• Recognized as one of the Best Online Master Degree Programs in the nation by bestcolleges.com and the OnlineMastersDegrees.org (OMD)
• Easy and free online admissions process.
• No standardized tests are required for admissions.
• Full or part-time.
• Streamlined, up-to-date and cutting-edge curriculum. 
• Dynamic teaching methods designed for learning adults and effective graduate studies.
• Knowledge and skill development for career advancement. 
• Outstanding and experienced faculty. 
• Specialization in general public administration, nonprofit leadership, and homeland security and disaster management.
• Sequential classes based on a master schedule. 
• Dual MPA/ MSW degree
• Transition upon graduation and acceptance to the PhD Program in Strategic Leadership and Administrative Studies with up to 12 MPA credits applied toward the PhD program.
• Professional peer-review Journal of Applied Professional Studies (JAPS).
• Professional networking, student organizations, and activities.

Program Requirements

1. Online Application
2. Official Undergraduate Degree Transcripts 
3. Proof of English language proficiency (only for students for whom English is not their primary language and did not graduate from an English-taught university).
4. Personal Statement: The personal statement should be no more than 500 words (or two double-spaced pages) answering the question, "why do you want an MPA"? You may describe your reasons for pursuing graduate studies in public administration, your career aspirations, your special interests within your field, and any features of your background that might be of an interest to the program. Commitment to public or nonprofit administration as well as ability to communicate in writing is strongly recommended.
5. Resume or Curriculum Vitae.
6. Two Letters of Recommendation: The letters should be from individuals who know you in a professional capacity, such as professors, work supervisors, and professionals from organizations where you have served as a volunteer or in another capacity. We look for evidence of academic achievement, community involvement, and personal characteristics that suggests the capacity to foster an institutional culture that advances democratic administration and governance.    
7. GRE scores are not required.  

Any applicant who lacks administrative experience must pursue a three-credit-hour internship. Internships consist of up to 12 weeks of full- or part-time assignments in an agency (minimum of 20 hours per week).