Statement of Purpose
The Master of Public Administration (MPA) is designed to prepare individuals for positions of leadership in public service organizations. This program will provide a strong foundation in public policy, the organizational environment, the management of public service organizations, and the application of quantitative and qualitative analysis to decision making. The development of critical thinking skills and self motivation are key components of the MPA program.
Course Requirements
Each candidate for the master’s degree in Public Administration will be required to complete 21 credits of core courses, 12 credits of electives, and 3 credits of professional project.
Required Core Courses (21 credit hours):
| PA 6003 | Public Administration and Public Policy |
| PA 6023 | Ethics |
| PA 6053 | Public and Non- profit Budgeting |
| PA 6063 | Policy Analysis and Program Evaluation |
| PA 6073 | Research Methods |
| PA 6083 | Organizational Leadership |
| PA 6103 | Public Administration Theory and Practice |
Select 12 hours from the following:
| PA 6013 | Statistics for Public Administrators |
| PA 6033 | Rural Politics |
| PA 6043 | Legal Issues in Public Administration |
| PA 6153 | Public Personnel Administration |
| PA 6183 | Special Topics I |
| PA 6193 | Special Topics II |
| PA 6093 | Community Development |
| PA 6243 | Community Organizing |
| PA 6133 | Non- Profit Fundraising |
| PA 6163 | Social Equity, Public Finance and Org Development |
| PA 6173 | Public Administration and Social Justice |
| PA 6253 | Social Activism |
Required Project Course (3 credit hours):
| PA 6113 | Professional Project* |
Contact Information:
Dr. Patrick Edgar
Peace 126
870-235-5209
pbedgar@saumag.edu
Important Links
- Proposed Course Sequences
- Weekend Seminar Schedule
- Assessment Plan for the MPA Program
- Outcome Expectations for Courses in the MPA Program
- Oral Comprehensive Exam
- Professional Project
- Course Descriptions
- Useful Links
Intensive Weekend Courses
Some courses are offered in the Intensive Weekend format both on and off campus. These are considered “hybrid” courses which include some on-line work. The classes are conducted over two weekends during the term and meet Friday 6:00 – 9:00 PM; Saturday 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM; and Sunday 1:00 – 6:00 PM. The student must log in to Blackboard during the first week of classes as shown on the SAU calendar. Students are expected to complete all reading and writing assignments as shown on the syllabus prior to each weekend meeting. Attendance at both weekends is mandatory in order to receive credit for the Intensive Weekend courses.
The important things to know about the Weekend courses:
- For each course, it is only two weekends per semester.
- When you are in an intensive weekend, all of your focus is on public administration.
- We are able to stay focused on some complex topics longer rather than break them up into 3 hour classes.
- It is not straight lecture or discussion- we use a mix of activities and media.
- Students who have taken these courses usually find that they prefer the weekend format.
Off Campus Opportunities
We currently offer courses in Texarkana and Ashdown (as part of an arrangement with Cossatot Community College in DeQueen.) These courses are the same as those in Magnolia and may be taken by any MPA student. At these sites, we only offer the intensive weekend format. We hope to offer courses at other community colleges in the near future.
