Master of Public Administration

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Master of Public Administration Program Curriculum

Encouraging interdisciplinary learning, the MPA program curriculum is designed to meet the educational needs of students who have earned specialized, technical, or liberal arts degrees and who are seeking to expand or update their knowledge of administration.

With four concentration options, the robust Master of Public Administration curriculum consists of 36 credit hours of fundamental MPA core courses and in-depth concentration electives. Students may customize their curriculum with a concentration that suits their career aspirations in public services. In addition to theoretical education, the curriculum gives students the opportunity to gain first-hand experience through a variety of practical experiences inside and outside of the classroom through community partnerships and simulations.

Learn more about the Master of Public Administration program curriculum.

MPA General Program

The General Program allows students to gain deeper insight into public administration more broadly and in a way that suits their individual needs professionally and academically. It is ideal for many public service professionals, especially those seeking to work in governmental organizations at the local, state or federal level.

MPA in Criminal Justice Administration

Designed for those who seek to gain specific policy and administrative knowledge about the criminal justice system, this concentration instills the knowledge in criminal justice administration for complex tasks.

Nine credits from the following:

MPA in Nonprofit Administration and Social Entrepreneurship

This concentration is ideal for those who aspire to become an administrator in the nonprofit and socially aware for-profit sectors. No previous work experience in related fields is required to apply to the MPA in Nonprofit Administration and Social Entrepreneurship program.

• PUB 525 – Fundamentals of Nonprofit Organizations 
• Choose two from:
  • PUB 520 – Resource Development for Nonprofit Organizations 
  • PUB 548 – Social Entrepreneurship
  • PUB 594 – Grantwriting and Administration

MPA in Social and Public Policy

Focusing on the depth and breadth of public policy in a variety of areas, the Social and Public Policy concentration fosters students’ understanding of policy trends and equips them with the skills to conduct policy analysis and drafting.

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Admission Prerequisites

Qualified applicants to the MPA program must hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution with a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Applicants should have completed:

• A course in government or public sector administration or relevant experience
• A course in microeconomic principles
• A course in statistics

Students lacking any of the knowledge base courses at the time of application will fulfill these requirement(s) as part of their MPA degree.

Probation Admission

For those who do not meet these requirements, please review the Probationary Admission option. Probationary admission may be an option for students who:

• Show strong academic potential, but their GPA falls below the 3.0 requirement
• Have had extenuating circumstances that have negatively affected their cumulative GPA
• Can show how conditions have changed and they are now poised to maintain a “B” average or higher in the MPA program

Students can articulate these factors through the Statement of Purpose listed in the required documents for application in the section below. Factors will be reviewed by the admissions committee upon application to the program. Should you be admitted on probationary or Lifelong Learning status, your registration will be limited to four credits or less for the first two semesters in order to establish a strong GPA.

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Applying to UM-Flint’s MPA Program

To be considered for admission, submit an online application below. Other materials can be emailed to FlintGradOffice@umich.edu or delivered to the Office of Graduate Programs, 251 Thompson Library.

Admission to the MPA Program is based on a holistic review of an applicant’s academic and professional history. Applicants are required to submit a completed application, application fee, and provide the following documentation:

• Application for Graduate Admission
• $55 application fee (non-refundable)
• Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. Please read our full transcript policy for more information.
• For any degree completed at a non-US institution, transcripts must be submitted for an internal credential review. Read the following for instructions on how to submit your transcripts for review.
• If English is not your native language, and you are not from an exempt country, you must demonstrate English proficiency.
• Statement of Purpose detailing the reasons for seeking further study in the MPA program and addressing any deficiencies in the applicant’s educational background
• Two letters of recommendation, preferably at least one from a professional reference and one from an academic reference (University of Michigan alumni are exempt from this requirement)
• Current resume or curriculum vitae
• Students from abroad must submit additional documentation.
• International students on a student visa (F-1 or J-1) may begin the MPA program in the fall semester. To comply with the immigration regulations requirements, international students on a student visa must enroll in at least 6 credits of in-person classes during their fall and winter semesters.

This program can be completed online or on-campus with in-person courses. Admitted students can apply for a student (F-1) visa with the requirement of attending in-person courses. Students living abroad may also complete this program online in their home country. Other nonimmigrant visa holders currently in the United States, please contact the Center for Global Engagement at globalflint@umich.edu.

Application Deadlines

Submit all application materials to the Office of Graduate Programs by 5 p.m. on the day of the application deadline. The Master of Public Administration program offers rolling admission with monthly application reviews. To be considered for admission, all application materials must be submitted on or before:

• Fall (early review*) – May 1
• Fall (final review) – August 1
• Winter – December 1

*You must have a complete application by the early deadline to guarantee application eligibility for scholarships, grants, and research assistantships.

F-1 seeking students are only admitted for the fall semester. The final deadline for international students is May 1 for the fall semester. Those students from abroad who are not seeking a student visa may follow the other application deadlines noted above.

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