Master of Public Administration M.P.A.
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Master of Public Administration M.P.A.
Prepare to effectively navigate the complex and rapidly changing public policy and management challenges of today’s world in a flexible, hands-on master’s degree program at UAA.
Explore the Master of Public Administration program at the University of Alaska Anchorage
UAA’s Master of Public Administration (M.P.A.) degree prepares you for professional
careers in public service. The program includes a variety of service learning, research
opportunities and applied learning assignments, with courses that focus on current
public policy and management issues in the state and across the country. Coursework
and experiential learning opportunities are designed to help you develop an area of
expertise based on your interests and professional goals, while being flexible to
meet the scheduling needs of working students.
Concentrations in the Master of Public Administration program
Choose a concentration in one of the following emphasis areas:
- Public management: Focuses on planning, change, structure and processes in public organizations and the historical context of public administration.
- Public policy analysis: Emphasizes the application of economic analysis and other quantitative and qualitative methods to address policy issues in Alaska and the United States.
- Health administration: Emphasizes effective public management in the health care field including planning, decision making, human resources, finance and more.
- Criminal justice: Provides preparation for management careers in criminal justice or additional studies related to justice administration.
- Dual emphases in public management and public policy analysis: Combines advanced study in public management, government policy analysis, economic analysis and other methods to evaluate policy issues in Alaska and nationally.
Master of Public Administration scholarships and financial aid
Get help with tuition and education costs. UAA offers scholarships and financial assistance
for the Master of Public Administration program, including the Judy C. Caminer Scholarship
in Public Administration and the American Society of Public Administration Award.
You can also apply for additional scholarships and other types of financial assistance
through UAA and the College of Business. Learn more about financial aid opportunities at UAA.
Did you know..
A 2015 M.P.A. alumni focus group found that all participants experienced a significant career advancement (new, better-paying jobs, promotions, increase in pay and responsibility and/or advancement in management or leadership)
What can you do with a Master of Public Administration degree from UAA?
UAA’s Master of Public Administration program has a proven track record of preparing
graduates to succeed in public service careers. Alumni go on to work in a broad range
of professional positions in public, nonprofit and other professional agencies. Some
have even gone on to create their own management or policy consulting firms.
Master of Public Administration careers
M.P.A. program alumni have gone on to successful careers in a variety of agencies
and organizations, including:
- Alaska State Legislature
- Municipality of Anchorage Police Department
- Anchorage School District
- U.S. Department of Interior
- U.S. Parks Service
- U.S. Department of Defense
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
- Regional Native Corporations
By the numbers..
Master of Public Administration degree program highlights
Designed to create a community of ethical, highly skilled leaders and public policy professionals, UAA’s Master of Public Administration program welcomes students with diverse backgrounds and professional experiences. The following are some of the top reasons to pursue your master’s degree at UAA:
- Get hands-on professional experience. Internships offer work experience with a public administration-related organization for 8 to 12 hours a week throughout the 15-week semester. These experiences give you the chance to grow as a leader and understand your strengths and challenges related to managing a diverse workforce.
- Take part in service learning and research opportunities. Most courses include some type of service learning, research opportunities or other learning experiences focused on a real-world public policy problem. Examples include participating in public forums through the M.P.A. Policymaking Process course and engaging in the UAA Realizing Solutions seminar, which focuses on a critical issue facing Alaska or the country.
- Work toward your master’s degree at your own pace. The program is designed to accommodate the scheduling needs of working students who have full-time professional or part-time jobs, as well as military students whose coursework may be disrupted due to deployment.
- Build community connections. M.P.A. courses often draw on distinguished community experts as guest speakers. This results in networking connections that have led to graduate research and employment opportunities.
- Participate in professional clubs, events and networking opportunities. UAA offers a wide range of opportunities including the William H. Seward Lecture Series, Emerging Leaders Program, National Society of Leadership and Success, the Alaska World Affairs Council and Alaska Common Ground.
Amazing stories from Master of Public Administration majors
As a military member, UAA’s Master of Public Administration program has exposed me to decision making and thought processes well outside my regimented norm. It has brought great value to me in my military career in solving problems with creative solutions. Public Service has always been a significant part of my life and as I look to transition from the military, the M.P.A. program has both prepared me for the transition and will be key to a promising career in the public sector. I could not be happier that I graduated from UAA with an M.P.A. in a community that is dear to my heart.
Master of Public Administration degree program curriculum
M.P.A. coursework covers new and emerging techniques in program management, policy analysis and related areas, with emphasis on public policy and administrative issues in Alaska and the Arctic. Each of the individual emphasis areas requires nine credits to complete, while the dual public management and public policy analysis emphasis requires 15 credits.Top classes for Master of Public Administration students
- Seminar in Public Management and Leadership
- Public Policy-Making Process
- Research Methods in Public Administration
- Public Administration Capstone
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