{"id":11655,"date":"2016-10-24T15:18:04","date_gmt":"2016-10-24T20:18:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/web.saumag.edu\/academics\/?post_type=program&#038;p=11655"},"modified":"2026-07-08T13:16:00","modified_gmt":"2026-07-08T18:16:00","slug":"master-of-public-administration-social-entrepreneurship","status":"publish","type":"program","link":"https:\/\/web.saumag.edu\/academics\/program\/master-of-public-administration-social-entrepreneurship\/","title":{"rendered":"Master of Public Administration with Social Entrepreneurship Emphasis"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The\u00a0<strong>Master of Public Administration (MPA) with a Social Entrepreneurship<\/strong> option\u00a0at Southern Arkansas University is designed for the modern visionary who\u00a0seeks\u00a0to merge business innovation with social impact. This program equips public and non-profit leaders with the tools to solve societal challenges through sustainable, entrepreneurial models, ensuring that public service is not just effective, but innovative and self-sustaining.<\/p>\n<p>We understand the demands of today\u2019s community leaders. Our MPA is built for maximum flexibility:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Online<\/strong>:\u00a0Complete 100% of your coursework from anywhere in the world.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Program Duration &amp; Start Dates<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Duration<\/strong>:\u00a0Can be completed in as little as 12\u201324 months\u00a0depending on course load.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Start Dates<\/strong>:\u00a0Rolling admissions with intakes for Fall, Spring, and Summer.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Accelerated Master\u2019s Option<\/strong>:\u00a0Qualified SAU undergraduates can begin MPA coursework during their senior year to fast-track their entry into the social impact sector.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Why Choose SAU for your MPA in Social Entrepreneurship?<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Social Innovation Focus<\/strong>:\u00a0Our curriculum emphasizes &#8220;double bottom line&#8221; thinking\u2014prioritizing both social impact and organizational sustainability.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Community Leadership<\/strong>:\u00a0Gain specific insights into rural politics, civic engagement, and the unique administrative challenges of the South.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Exceptional Value<\/strong>:\u00a0One of the most affordable and high-quality MPA programs in the region, designed to minimize debt for those entering public service.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Skills You Will Gain<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Social Venture Creation<\/strong>:\u00a0Learn to design and launch organizations that address social, environmental, or cultural problems.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Strategic Non-Profit Management<\/strong>:\u00a0Master the complexities of governing mission-driven organizations.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Grant Writing &amp; Implementation<\/strong>:\u00a0Develop practical expertise in securing funding and managing high-impact public projects.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Ethical Leadership<\/strong>:\u00a0Navigate the complex ethical landscape of public policy and organizational governance.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Faculty &amp; Digital Learning Environment<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Expert Practitioners<\/strong>:\u00a0Learn from faculty who\u00a0have managed\u00a0non-profits, influenced public policy, and specialized in rural administration.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Collaborative Platforms<\/strong>:\u00a0Engage in meaningful policy debate and project planning through modern asynchronous learning management systems.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Applied Capstone<\/strong>:\u00a0Complete a professional project that addresses a real-world administrative or social problem, building a portfolio of impactful work.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The\u00a0Master of Public Administration (MPA) with a Social Entrepreneurship option\u00a0at Southern Arkansas University is designed for the modern visionary who\u00a0seeks\u00a0to merge business innovation with social impact. This program equips public and non-profit leaders with the tools to solve societal challenges through sustainable, entrepreneurial models, ensuring that public service is not just effective, but innovative and&#8230; <a class=\"more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/web.saumag.edu\/academics\/program\/master-of-public-administration-social-entrepreneurship\/\"> Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":15443,"menu_order":0,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","footnotes":"","_genesis_title":"","_genesis_description":"","_genesis_noindex":"","_genesis_nofollow":"","_genesis_noarchive":"","_genesis_canonical_uri":"","_open_graph_title":"","_open_graph_description":"","_twitter_title":"","_twitter_description":"","_social_image_url":"","_social_image_id":"","redirect":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"college_department":[18307,18317,18304],"delivery":[28834],"types":[28851],"class_list":["post-11655","program","type-program","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","college_department-school-of-graduate-studies","college_department-history-political-science-and-geography","college_department-college-of-liberal-and-performing-arts","delivery-online","types-graduate","entry"],"acf":{"page_layout":"standard","landing_page_url":"","department_college":"<a href=\"https:\/\/web.saumag.edu\/lpa\">College of Liberal &amp; Performing Arts<\/a>","badge_text":"","Number_of_Hours":"36","tuition_instate":"$329\/credit hour","tuition_outstate":"$516\/credit hour","estimated_total_tuition":"~$11,844 (In-State) to ~ $18,576  (Out-of-State)","start_dates":"Rolling admissions (Fall, Spring, and Summer)","duration":"12-24 months","Degree Plans":"<a href=\"https:\/\/catalog.saumag.edu\/preview_program.php?catoid=9&amp;poid=2093&amp;returnto=346\">2025-2026<\/a>","Program_Contact_Info":"[dirswitch contacts=\"overholser-amber\"]","Catalog Entry":"<div>\r\n\r\n<strong>Core Courses (24 hours)<\/strong>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>PA 6003\u00a0-\u00a0Principles of Public Administration<\/li>\r\n \t<li>PA 6053\u00a0-\u00a0Public and Non-Profit Budgeting<\/li>\r\n \t<li>PA 6063\u00a0-\u00a0Public Policy<\/li>\r\n \t<li>PA 6073\u00a0-\u00a0Research Methods<\/li>\r\n \t<li>PA 6083\u00a0-\u00a0Organizational Leadership<\/li>\r\n \t<li>PA 6153\u00a0-\u00a0Human Resources in Public Organizations<\/li>\r\n \t<li>PA 6263\u00a0-\u00a0Program Evaluation<\/li>\r\n \t<li>SE 6263\u00a0-\u00a0Social Entrepreneurship<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div>\r\n\r\n<strong>Elective Courses (9 hours)<\/strong>\r\n\r\nSelect 9\u00a0hours from the following*:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li class=\"acalog-course\">SE 6013\u00a0-\u00a0Project Management<\/li>\r\n \t<li class=\"acalog-course\">SE 6033\u00a0-\u00a0Creativity, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship<\/li>\r\n \t<li class=\"acalog-course\">SE 6043\u00a0-\u00a0Issues in Environmental Economics<\/li>\r\n \t<li class=\"acalog-course\">SE 6053\u00a0-\u00a0International Business<\/li>\r\n \t<li class=\"acalog-course\">SE 6063\u00a0-\u00a0Special Topics in Social Enterprise<\/li>\r\n \t<li class=\"acalog-course\">SE 6083\u00a0-\u00a0Leadership Development<\/li>\r\n \t<li class=\"acalog-course\">SE 6133\u00a0-\u00a0Nonprofit Organizations<\/li>\r\n \t<li class=\"acalog-course\">SE 6143\u00a0-\u00a0Sustainable SCM Practices<\/li>\r\n \t<li class=\"acalog-course\">SE 6253\u00a0-\u00a0Civic Engagement in Public Administration<\/li>\r\n \t<li class=\"acalog-course\">SE 6273\u00a0-\u00a0Planning, Grant-Writing, and Implementation<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Professional Project (3 hours)<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:60,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"8\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\">PA 6113\u00a0\u2013 Professional Project (Capstone)<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/div>","minor_requirements":"","Admission Requirements or Deadlines":"<ol>\r\n \t<li><strong>Online Application<\/strong>:\u00a0Submit\u00a0your\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/apply.saumag.edu\">Graduate Studies Application<\/a>.<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Transcripts<\/strong>:\u00a0Provide official transcripts from all previously attended institutions.<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>GPA Requirement<\/strong>:\u00a0Minimum\u00a0cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 (Conditional admission may be available for 2.5+).<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<h3>Prerequisites:<\/h3>\r\nA\u00a0Bachelor\u2019s\u00a0degree from an accredited institution is\u00a0required. While students from all fields are welcome, a basic understanding of American government and civic processes is encouraged.","careers":"The MPA in Social Entrepreneurship prepares students for leadership and innovation-focused careers across the nonprofit, public, and mission-driven private sectors. Graduates develop the skills needed to lead organizations, launch community initiatives, and create sustainable solutions to complex social challenges. Career pathways may include:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Nonprofit Executive Director<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Social Enterprise Founder<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Community Development Manager<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Public Policy Consultant<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Government or Public Agency Administrator<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Grant and Program Manager<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Coordinator<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Economic and Community Development Specialist<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h3>Career Outlook<\/h3>\r\nOrganizations across the public, nonprofit, and private sectors are increasingly seeking leaders who can combine mission-driven work with strategic management, financial sustainability, and community impact. As partnerships between governments, nonprofits, and social enterprises continue to expand, professionals with\u00a0expertise\u00a0in social entrepreneurship, public administration, and organizational leadership are positioned for growing career opportunities in a rapidly evolving workforce landscape.","faq":[{"faq_question":"Is this program different from an MBA? ","faq_answer":"Yes. While an MBA typically focuses on private-sector business management and profit-driven decision-making, the MPA with a Social Entrepreneurship emphasis is designed for students who want to create community impact through public service, nonprofit leadership, and mission-driven innovation. The program combines public administration, organizational leadership, budgeting, policy, and ethical decision-making with entrepreneurial strategies that help organizations address social and community challenges in sustainable ways."},{"faq_question":"Do I need prior experience in the non-profit sector?","faq_answer":"No. This program is designed to provide you with the foundational skills needed to enter or advance within the sector. "},{"faq_question":"How does the Accelerated option work? ","faq_answer":"SAU undergraduate students can take up to 12 hours of graduate coursework during their senior year, allowing them to complete the Master's degree in just one additional year."},{"faq_question":"Can I transfer credits? ","faq_answer":"Up to 9 credit hours of graduate work from an accredited institution may be transferred, pending departmental review. "}],"Accreditations":"","Testimonials":"","student_information":"","Advisors":"","rankings":"","keywords":"public service, community, government, administration, leadership, bureaucracy, politics, organization, non-profit","custom_tab_title":"Course Offerings","custom_tab_text":"<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Schedule subject to change<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n<h4>Spring 2026<\/h4>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>PA 6003 Principles of Public Administration (on as-needed basis)<\/li>\r\n \t<li>PA 6043 Legal Issues in Public Administration<\/li>\r\n \t<li>PA 6153 Human Resources<\/li>\r\n \t<li>PA 6263 Program Evaluation<\/li>\r\n \t<li>PA 6073 Research Methods<\/li>\r\n \t<li>PA 6113 Professional Project<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h4>Long Summer 2026<\/h4>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>PA 6073 Research Methods<\/li>\r\n \t<li>PA 6113 Professional Project<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h4>Summer I 2026<\/h4>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>PA 6253 Civic Engagement in Public Administration<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h4>Summer II 2026<\/h4>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>PA 6283 Public Technology<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h4>Fall 2026<\/h4>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>PA 6003 Principles of Public Administration<\/li>\r\n \t<li>PA 6033 Rural Politics<\/li>\r\n \t<li>PA 6053 Public and Non-profit Budgeting<\/li>\r\n \t<li>PA 6063 Public Policy<\/li>\r\n \t<li>PA 6083 Organizational Leadership<\/li>\r\n \t<li>PA 6113 Professional Project<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Elective (TBD)<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n*SE students will have additional course requirements through the Business College while in the program","rfi_shortcode":"[gf_embed site=\"1\" id=\"88\" prog=\"MPA Social Entrepreneurship\" type=\"Graduate\" comments=\"true\" notify_emails=\"aroverholser@saumag.edu\"]"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/web.saumag.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/programs\/11655","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/web.saumag.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/programs"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/web.saumag.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/program"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/web.saumag.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/programs\/11655\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":17902,"href":"https:\/\/web.saumag.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/programs\/11655\/revisions\/17902"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/web.saumag.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/15443"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/web.saumag.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11655"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"college_department","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/web.saumag.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/college_department?post=11655"},{"taxonomy":"delivery","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/web.saumag.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/delivery?post=11655"},{"taxonomy":"types","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/web.saumag.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types?post=11655"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}