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MPA Curriculum

LMU Master of Public Administration (MPA) - Curriculum

The LMU Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree is a fully online graduate degree proram designed for those who wish to pursue leadership roles in the ever-expanding field of public service. Earning a master's degree in public administration opens the doors to a wide range of public service careers, including government administration, community or nonprofit management, and government relations.

This thirty (30) credit hour program provides tracks in General Public Administration, Nonprofit Management, and Health Care Policy. MPA graduates may work in government agencies creating policy, overseeing agencies, or analyzing and evaluating program efficiency and effectiveness. Those who work in community agencies may work for social welfare organizations or large healthcare organizations such as hospital systems, managing budgets, or analyzing efficiencies. In the private sector, MPA graduates hold consulting positions or work to assist companies in understanding policymaking and management strategies.

Program offerings are flexible and useful for working adults, with several electives offered in a hybrid or online format.

Students choosing to do so can complete the MPA program in as little as sixteen (16) months.

 

Program Tracks

Track 1: General Public Administration
30 Credit Hours + Comprehensive Exam

The General Public Administration track is designed to provide public service professionals with the core proficiencies in the management and leadership of public organizations. Course offerings cover a wide range of general public administration topics, as well as specialized substantive areas such as healthcare policy, special topics in education, and human resource issues.

Track 2: Nonprofit Management
30 Credit Hours + Comprehensive Exam

The Nonprofit Management track allows students to focus on the development and growth of nonprofit organizations. Course offerings cover foundational topics such as nonprofit management, board development, fundraising, and marketing. Through academic sources, such as books and journal articles, to practical sources, such as blog posts and guest speakers, students will gain the skills necessary to lead organizations that address the needs of underserved communities.

Track 3 Health Care Policy
30 Credit Hours + Comprehensive Exam

The Health Care Policy track is built for students with a specific interest in health care related policymaking and advocacy. Course offerings include instruction in major health care legislation, rules, and regulations, as well as providing guidance in the history and purposes of the agencies and institutions of health care administration in the public, private, and nonprofit sector.

 

MPA Program Courses

Required Courses

  • PADM 510 Quantitative Analysis
  • PADM 515 Qualitative Analysis
  • PADM 520 Public Administration
  • PADM 525 Public Policy Process
  • PADM 530 Public Financial Administration
  • PADM 540 Public Service Ethics and Values

Elective Courses

  • PADM 550 Economics for the Public Sector
  • PADM 551 Local Government Management
  • PADM 591 Health Care and Public Policy
  • PADM 592 Strategic Comm. in Health Care
  • PADM 593 Directing Healthcare Organizations
  • PADM 594 Fiscal Impact of Healthcare Policy
  • PADM 601 Managing Public and Non-Profit Organizations
  • PADM 602 Nonprofit Marketing
  • PADM 603 Nonprofit Board Development
  • PADM 604 Nonprofit Fundraising
  • PADM 611 Legal Context for Policy and Public Management
  • PADM 612 Public Policy in Popular Culture
  • PADM 613 Grant Proposal Writing
  • PADM 620 Special Topics in Public Policy
  • PADM 696 Independent Study
  • Students may also receive elective hour credit for LMU graduate courses outside of the MPA program upon approval.

Previous offerings of PADM 620 Special Topics in Public Policy

  • Politics of Public Administration
  • Electoral Campaign Management
  • Public Policy and the Arts

 

To inquire about the LMU MPA program, please contact:
Dr. Stephen M. Adkins | 865.531.4168 | stephen.adkins@lmunet.edu

International students, please contact:
William Daniels | 423.869.6279| william.daniels@lmunet.edu