The Dyson College of Arts and Sciences’ Department of Public Administration offers a Master of Public Administration degree for those seeking careers in local, state and federal government agencies or voluntary, proprietary and not-for-profit organizations.
The MPA program is designed to cater to the needs of public and nonprofit entities. Through a multifaceted curriculum, MPA graduates qualify for positions that require strong analytical and administrative skills, ability to apply various management tools, and in-depth knowledge in specific policy areas. The very close interaction with local government agencies, health care entities and the non-profit sector provides a unique work/study program for students in their fields of specialization. Because of that association, highly experienced professionals in the field teach many courses, and MPA students greatly benefit from the unique expertise and experiences they share.
Students in the MPA program benefit from faculty who are experts in their fields, providing advanced professional training relevant to contemporary conditions. Valuable networking and internship opportunities, close mentoring, and career advisement ensure the professional success of graduates. The MPA program is also associated with three specialized entities to enhance student’s vision and mission in pursuit of their ideals:
- The Center for Health Care Policy, Education and Research enhances our Health Care Management Track by bringing the professional in the field to the course-designs and curriculum development. The Center’s Advisory Board decides on the most needed course material to enable our graduates to be ahead of the market.
- The Edwin G. Michaelian Institute for Public Policy and Management provides local agencies with the state-of-the-art education and research opportunities.
- The Wilson Center for Social Entrepreneurship connects to the needs of not-for-profit organizations. Even though Wilson Center is not a part of the MPA Program, the close association between the two provides an exceptional opportunity for those specialized in nonprofit management to gain hands-on experience.
A carefully planned and supervised Capstone project allows students to apply the principles and concepts learned in the classroom to real-world problems. The increasing demand for government, health care, and nonprofit administrators able to manage effectively in a time of fiscal constraints places Pace graduates in a highly advantageous and competitive position.