University of Michigan-Flint

The Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree, offered through the Horace H. Rackham School of Graduate Studies, is designed to prepare administrators to analyze problems and solve them effectively. Professors teach conceptual knowledge and help students develop the analytical skills necessary to implement policy. Whether employed in public or nonprofit organizations, or interested in entering a career in administration, a student in the MPA program receives the balanced, advanced education necessary to become a capable, decisive leader.

The curriculum focuses on two important premises: the prime responsibility of administrators is to identify and manage problems; and problem-solving does not fall within the bounds of a single discipline.

This interdisciplinary program is designed to meet the educational needs of students who have earned either specialized, technical, or liberal arts degrees and are seeking to expand or update their knowledge of administration. Courses are offered in the evening, on weekends, or online to meet the needs of working professionals interested in completing the program on a part-time basis.

The University of Michigan-Flint’s MPA requires students to select courses from various disciplines.

• The MPA is comprised of faculty and courses from political science, economics, health care, education, criminal justice, sociology, and psychology.
• Students from government, health care, criminal justice, and the nonprofit sector interact across professional boundaries through shared courses.

The curriculum includes core courses in public administration, courses from one of the four concentrations, work in analytical methods, and an applied research project. Internships are usually required for students with less than two years experience in administration.

Up to six (6) credit hours of graduate credit completed at an accredited institution may be accepted for transfer. Transfers of credit are subject to the approval of the program director. Transfers are made in accordance with the policies of the Horace H. Rackham School of Graduate Studies.