Master of Public Administration (MPA)

Print Degree Planner (opens a new window) |

The Hamline University Master of Public Administration (MPA) gives working professionals the practical knowledge, tools, and skills they need to manage effectively and to meet the complex fiscal and economic challenges of the government and public service sectors.

The MPA program includes a leadership course and a foundations course, which provides students with a sound foundation in the history, theory, and management standards of the public sector. Other courses provide working professionals with a base of knowledge in a variety of subjects, each necessary to build effective management skills. Students completing the MPA program should expect to meet the following learning objectives:

Students will demonstrate effective critical reasoning and analytic skills.
Students will demonstrate effective written and oral communication strategies.
Students will demonstrate successful leadership strategies.
Students will apply public administration concepts to analysis of problems/issues

MPA Degree Requirements (40 credits and 2.8 GPA)

Core Courses (36 credits):

Elective course (4 credits):

One elective course must be chosen from among the School of Business master’s level courses.

School of Business Concentrations

There are three concentrations available to students in the MBA and MPA programs. MPA students desiring to complete a concentration will have to take 8 credits beyond the required 40 credits. Students earn concentrations by completing 12 credits of elective coursework within the same subject area. Each allows a student to focus more deeply on one area of interest. Concentrations include business analytics, leadership and change management, and a customized concentration.

Business Analytics Concentration

Choose any three courses from the MSBA program. Note: some courses have prerequisites which may impact options students can select.

Leadership and Change Management

Choose any three of the following courses.

MBA 8010 - Negotiation
MBA 8011 - Leading Through Change
MBA 8012 - Perspectives on Conflict and Change
MBA 8060 - Project Management
MBA 8098 - Special Topics, when the topic is leadership-focused

Customized Concentration

This option is for students who are motivated to study a topic relevant to their degree program in-depth. Customized concentrations require 12 credits of graduate elective coursework and may be comprised of graduate courses at Hamline University and approved transfer courses. Customized Concentration applications must be approved by the Graduate Curriculum and Assessment Committee.

Sample concentration options might include Marketing, Finance, Business Communications, and so forth. Students who want to pursue this option should contact the Graduate Programs Director for an application form.

Time Limit

Generally, students take two to three years to complete the MPA program; however, seven years is the allowed maximum.