MAGNOLIA—Although the program is only a year old, the Executive Master of Public Administration at Southern Arkansas University is quickly attracting the interest of individuals who see the degree for its abundant opportunities.
While other MPA programs emphasize urban, national and international administration, the program at SAU develops public administration professionals for rural communities, counties and nonprofit organizations.
Dr. Patrick Edgar, program director, said he doesn’t know of another MPA program in the country which has a rural emphasis. Edgar, whose background is in public consulting as well as education, said students who choose this program will be better equipped to handle the type of multi-tasking required to be successful in rural government.
“The small city or county does not have the luxury of employing specialists in each area of the administration,” Edgar said. “Instead, the professional in rural governments and nonprofits must be prepared to serve as finance officer, human resource manager, project manager, and emergency services planner or any assortment of functions.”
Edgar said this program is designed to create leaders in public service who approach business with a hope to actually impact the individuals they work with rather than someone who is only concerned with completing the proper forms and hoping for the best.
“Essentially through the MPA program we are giving bureaucrats the opportunity to think before they act. The emphasis of the program is critical thinking,” Edgar said.
Examples of the kind of backgrounds people have coming into the program are virtually endless, meaning students in the program also get the benefit of being surrounded by people who all see things from a different perspective, Edgar said.
Registration is taking place for the program through August 21. A fee will be added to register past this date and the final date to register is August 29. Classes are to be offered in Magnolia and two Saturdays a semester in Texarkana at the Landmark Building. Go to www.saumag.edu for more information or call Edgar at 870-235-5209 or send him an email to pbedgar@saumag.edu.
