Public Administration

The Master of Public Administration prepares students from a variety of academic and professional backgrounds to excel in careers with a public policy, public management, or nonprofit management orientation. The MPA provides students with an academic credential appropriate for employment in the public, nonprofit, and private sectors.

The MPA program has two key objectives. First, through a set of core courses, the program provides a strong foundation of practical and theoretical training for professional work in public service. Second, through free electives or the selection of a specialization, the MPA program offers students the opportunity to fashion a curriculum linked directly to their individual career and academic interests.

The Baruch MPA is fully accredited by the National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration (NASPAA). Baruch's Marxe School of Public and International Affairs is the only nonprivate school of public affairs in New York City.

All students in the MPA program complete eight required courses and are required to earn a minimum grade point average of 3.0. This ensures that all students achieve a basic understanding of fundamental public administration principles and practices together with a foundation in communication skills, economic analysis, and statistical analysis. In addition to the required courses, students complete five elective courses chosen in consultation with their advisor. Students without prior professional experience will also complete an internship in a public, nonprofit, or private-sector organization. In their final semester, all students take the Capstone Seminar, which emphasizes the application of students knowledge and skills to specific professional situations.

Full-time and part-time MPA students (but not students in the NUF Executive MPA programs, or Online MPA programs) may choose to focus 9 of their 15 credits of elective course work in one of the sevenspecializations: urban development and sustainability, nonprofit administration, public management, policy analysis and evaluation, climate change, social justice, and health care policy. All specializations participate in the shared MPA core, which does not vary from specialization to specialization. Specializations must be chosen in consultation with a Marxe School of Public and International Affairs advisor.

Selection of a specialization is not required. Students who choose not to take a specialization must structure their 15 elective credits in consultation with an advisor.

Upon graduation, students within the Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree programs at Marxe are expected to obtain knowledge and demonstrate skills associated with the following Program Learning Goals approved by the faculty and fall under five Universal Competencies established by NASPAA.

Note: These goals are taught at varied levels within the core courses and will be addressed in further detailed throughout the program.

NASPAA Competencies and Master of Public Affairs (MPA) Program Learning Goals:

*Competencies were revised by NASPAA FA19; revisions are reflected.

Competency #1: To lead and manage in the public interest.

Learning Goal A: Use management and leadership theories to analyze the design, operation, and governance of public and nonprofit organizations.

Learning Goal B: Develop recommendations to improve the management of public and nonprofit organizations based on multiple analytical frames.

Learning Goal C: Develop recommendations to improve the management of public and nonprofit organizations based on multiple analytical frames. (revision - pending approval)

Competency #2: To participate in, and contribute to, the policy process.

Learning Goal A: Identify alternative policy options; assess their potential feasibility and effectiveness; describe how the policy options are expected to affect outcomes (mechanisms).

Competency #3: To analyze, synthesize, think critically, solve problems and make evidence-informed decisions in a complex and dynamic environment.

Learning Goal A:  Use social science methods to analyze, evaluate, and draw valid conclusions from data that is relevant to public policy questions, and/or decision-making situations, and or issues of public concern.

Competency #4: To articulate, apply, and advance a public service perspective.

Learning Goal A: Demonstrate an understanding of the public interest in an assignment.

Competency #5: To communicate and interact productively.

Learning Goal A: Exhibit an awareness of strengths and weaknesses in verbal and written communication and articulate a plan to maximize communication effectiveness.