Ãå±±ÂÖ¼é Master of Public Administration With a Concentration in Public Policy and Management
Program Highlights
![Women on steps of public building](/extendeduniversity/utepconnect/_Files/images/mpa-image.jpg)
36 credit hours | In-state tuition: $480.90/credit hour | Out-of-state tuition: $590.53/credit hour
- Established program accredited by the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA)
- Available in an easily accessible 100% online format suitable for working professionals, military personnel and career changers/enhancers
- Equips current and future leaders with analytical and management skills for service-minded professionals working in governmental and nonprofit organizations
Be a Public Leader
The MPA is well-suited to those with professional experience in the public or nonprofit sectors, and/or a strong desire to lead programs that serve the public. In recent years, there has been increased pressure to measure results of public and nonprofit programs and to develop alternate funding streams for local government projects. You will develop in employable skills, such as program evaluation and techniques to advance data-driven decision-making, skills in fundraising and fund development for nonprofit professionals, and how to create public-private partnerships to leverage private revenues for public projects. Students in the MPA will acquire current and field-tested skills to lead the governmental and nonprofit challenges of the 21 st century.
Students come from all backgrounds including literature, history, political science, communication, criminal justice, business and other liberal arts; some even have science and education backgrounds. The program equips graduates with the skills needed to
- Manage a diverse workforce
- Measure results/evaluate programs
- Fundraise (nonprofits) and handle alternate public sector funding (public private partnerships & alternative delivery vehicles)
- Engage and represent the needs of diverse communities
- Develop skills related to data analysis, program evaluation, budgeting, public service, leadership and data-driven decision-making
Many of these skills translate to a wide variety of careers.
Job Opportunities in Multiple Sectors
The MPA has close connections with the community of El Paso, and local students will benefit from these relationships. As part of the program, you will also have the opportunity to elect to do an internship for credit. It also has a unique partnership with the United States Army Sergeants Major Academy (USASMA) to provide military-affiliated students with an opportunity to obtain their MPA.
Additional resources from our blog:
- In-Demand MPA Jobs You Should Know About in 2024
- The Worth of an MPA Degree on Your Career Path
- Public Administration Skills You Need to Succeed
UTEP Edge
Our student success initiative, the UTEP Edge, develops upon students’ assets through a variety of high-impact experiences. These experiences are designed to improve student skills and give UTEP students a competitive advantage as they move forward in their lives and careers. Our goal as a campus is to provide these UTEP Edge experiences to all students, regardless of their area of study, so they will graduate with a competitive advantage over their peers. These are the Edge experiences Public Administration students will have and the Edge skills they will graduate with:
Edge Experiences
- Community Engagement
- Capstone Experience
- Research and Scholarly Activities
Edge Skills
- Leadership
- Problem Solving
- Communication
- Social Responsibility
- Critical Thinking
Course Overview
The 36-credit hour program is NASPAA-accredited.
Required Courses
PAD 5302: The Public Administration Profession
PAD 5310: Public Policy Process and Institutions
PAD 5311: Economic Analysis for Public Administrators Â
PAD 5351: Applied Statistics for Public Administration
PAD 5365: Policy Analysis and Decision Making
PAD 5367: Comprehensive Integration of Public Administration
Choose one of the following three courses:
PAD 5350: Public and Nonprofit Management
PAD 5352: Public Budgeting and Financial Management
PAD 5353: Human Resources Management
Concentration Courses (pick any 5)
PAD 5350 (if not already counted): Public and Nonprofit Management
PAD 5352Â (if not already counted): Public Budgeting and Financial Management
PAD 5353Â (if not already counted): Human Resources Management
PAD 5356: Social Entrepreneurship and Not-for-Profit Management
PAD 5363: Intergovernmental Relations
PAD 5380: Selected Problems in Public Administration
PAD 5344: Emergency Management
PAD 5348: Innovation and Problem Solving
PAD 5359: Regional and Urban Planning
PAD 5360: Urban Administration