On-Campus MPA

The program is designed to be completed in five semesters by full-time students and either six or seven semesters by part-time students whether the student takes the capstone 5399 with two other courses their last semester.
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ADVISING

APPLICATION QUESTIONS

Contact MPA Advisor

Karolyn Field is the graduate advisor for the Masters of Public Administration program.

Phone number: (817) 272-5008

Email: kfield@uta.edu

Schedule an Appointment

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

This program is offered evenings on our UTA main campus, the 39-credit hour (with internship waiver) campus MPA offers students four emphasis areas comprised of courses specializing in each specific area. On campus MPA students will be able to maintain a flexible schedule - enrolling as a full-time or part-time student. The campus program admits new students every fall, spring and summer semester. The program is designed to be completed in five semesters by full-time students and either six or seven semesters by part-time students (includes summer terms). The determining factor for 6-7 semesters is whether the student takes the capstone 5399 with two other courses their last semester.

Sixteen week courses are offered Monday through Thursday from 6:00-8:50 PM in Fall and Spring and from 6:00-9:50 PM during the shortened eleven-week Summer semester.

Required Core Classes (30 hrs)

  • PAPP 5302 Foundations of Urban Research and Analysis
  • PAPP 5309 Intergovernmental Relations
  • PAPP 5320 Public Organization Theory
  • PAPP 5326 Public Budgeting
  • PAPP 5329 Financial Management in the Public and Non-Profit Sectors
  • PAPP 5345 Evaluation Research
  • PAPP 5350 Public Administration
  • PAPP 5351 Public Human Resources
  • PAPP 5358 Ethics in the Public Service
  • PAPP 5399 Public Administration Capstone

Management Course Lists

Objective: Demonstrate proficiency in the use of applied analytic tools such as program evaluation, policy analysis, cost-benefit analysis, and other management decision-making tools to aid the public manager make more informed decisions; Assist public managers and other higher-level public officials to understand, analyze, and recommend appropriate solutions to complex public policy issues

Click here for Local Government Management curriculum.

This joint emphasis with the Masters in City and Regional Planning provides the tools and skills necessary to understand topics relevant for supporting environmentally healthy, socially just, and economically sustainable cities and regions - professional credentials to work in interdisciplinary planning and policy fields in strong demand by DFW local governments, consulting firms, and NGOs.

Attain a comprehensive understanding of the challenges of economic development and urban sustainability, planning theory, methods, and essential planning tools, such as Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and graphic multimedia, to approach planning issues and challenges. Select courses on economic and sustainable development topics, such as green cities and transportation or cost-benefit analysis.

Economic Development & Sustainability Curriculum 

Objective: Demonstrate proficiency in the tools and skills to effectively support local government policy analysis and decision-making. Public policy and policy analysis at all levels of government is essential for meeting the demands of an increasingly expensive and complex service-delivery need and declining resources. Click here for the Public Policy and Policy Analysis curriculum.

Click here for Public Policy and Policy Analysis curriculum.

Objective: Understand the different management areas and techniques within the nonprofit organization, including institutional management, leadership, fund-raising, financial administration, human resources coordination, and planning and performance measurements. Understand the role of nonprofits as community institutions with an outward focus, including the political, economic, and inter-organizational environment, as well as marketing, legal, and government policy issues.

Click here for Urban Nonprofit Agency Management curriculum.

INTERNSHIPS

This 3 hour course is designed for students to complete a one semester internship in professional public service. There are no prerequisites that must be met before entering an internship or enrolling in PAPP 5360, therefore you can immediately begin an internship within their first semester and thereafter.

Internship openings are announced via the MPA student email listserv. If you need placement help, contact the MPA director at least one semester before course enrollment. Interns are placed in a variety of government and nonprofit organizations as well as private organizations engaged in public service activities. Nine students requested and were placed for AY17-18. Example placements include:

  • Homeland Security, USCIS
  • Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board
  • Vital Strategies (public health)
  • El Paso County
  • Park South, YMCA
  • Texas Health and Human Services Commission
  • City of Grand Prairie, Mayor's Office (Budgeting, Finance)
  • Vancouver Police Department
  • City of Harker Heights (planning and development)

The MPA program internship course (PAPP 5360) is waivable with at least one year professional public service work experience.

INTERNSHIP WAIVER

PAPP 5360 can be waived by newly admitted students and current students with at least one year of professional public sector work experience. To request a waiver:

  1. Submit an Internship Waiver Form to the Graduate Advisor (kfield@uta.edu) with a signature and all necessary student information.
  2. Attach a professional resume, illustrating at least one year of professional experience of public sector work.
  3. Once approval or denial decision is made, the student will then be notified as to whether or not the internship course will be waived.

APPLYING FOR INTERNSHIP CREDIT

Internships must be approved by the program. You must submit an Internship Agreement Form describing the duties and hours with a signature from the sponsor before registration for internship credit. At the end of the internship, you must complete and submit an Internship Report on their experiences and the sponsor must complete and submit an Internship Performance Evaluation verifying the internship requirements have been met. Both these forms must be submitted to the MPA Director by the end of the semester in order to receive credit and a grade.