Document Actions
Master of Public Administration (MPA)
About the Degree
Program Description
Scholarships
Research Opportunities with UK
Distance Learning Option
Employment Opportunities
Admission Requirements & Application
Degree Requirements
Faculty
Curriculum Guide, Current Courses, and Book Requirements
Spring 2008 MPA Course Guide (PDF)
Spring 2008 MPA Book Requirements (PDF)
Curriculum Guide
Contact Information
Request Information Package
About the MPA Degree (back to top)
The Master of Public Administration (MPA) is a professional course of study for individuals pursuing careers in government, public service, education, and nonprofit organizations. Our MPA program actively engages students in a dynamic learning environment that combines coursework and research. It develops a comprehensive understanding of the concepts and principles of public administration while continuing our students’ liberal education. As a result, graduates of the program will possess both the administrative skills and leadership abilities necessary to deal with the myriad of demands placed upon professional administrators. Our program provides a theoretically informed management degree that builds statesmen and public leaders committed to excellence and civic virtue. The MPA is an excellent professional degree for working professionals in government and non-profit organizations as well as for preparation in advanced graduate study in the social sciences or preparation for careers in public law or admission for law school.
In addition to the nine core courses, students choose one of two areas of specialization: spatial and regional analysis or federalism and public affairs.
Spatial and regional analysis provides excellent preparation for public service careers such as city or regional planning or for graduate study in doctoral programs in Geography, Regional Analysis, Environmental Science, Planning, Urban Studies, Sociology, Economics, or Applied Economics. Students focus on such areas as political geography using geographical information systems, economic development, natural resource policy, environmental policy, and land management.
Federalism and public affairs provides excellent preparation for public service careers such as non-profit management, government management, and administrative law, as well as for graduate study in doctoral programs in Political Science, Sociology, Social Work, Philosophy, History, Economics, or Law School. Students focus on such areas as intergovernmental relations, federalism, state and local government, community development, constitutional law, political philosophy, and American political thought.
Scholarships (back to top)
We have scholarships, fellowships, and graduate assistantships available for qualified students. Graduate assistantships range from $6,000 up to $10,000 and meritorious students may also receive full payment of tuition.
We also have several awards of $100-$500 to assist meritorious part-time students in defraying such costs as textbooks.
Research Opportunities with UK Partnership (back to top)
Located in Lexington, Kentucky, the Institute for Federalism and Intergovernmental Relations is a joint initiative betweenMorehead State University’s Institute for Regional Analysis and Public Policy and the University of Kentucky’s Martin School for Public Policy and Administration. The IRAPP MPA provides faculty and students with participation in research and applied policy at the Institute for Federalism and Intergovernmental Relations at the University of Kentucky in partnership with IRAPP at Morehead State University. Visit www.ifigr.org for more information.
Distance Learning Option: Serving Lexington, Somerset, and Hazard (back to top)
The MPA is a two-year (full-time) in-person program at Morehead State University. However, the program is very flexible, offering part-time status to our students and offering most of our courses during the evening to accommodate working professionals.
We are also offering our core courses via compressed video (ITV) to three off-campus locations:
- Lexington and Frankfort: Lexington Community College and Bluegrass Technical and Community College
- Somerset and London: Somerset Community College and The Center for Rural Development
- Hazard and Jackson: University Center of the Mountains
Two courses will be offered via ITV each semester, making it possible for off-campus students to complete the core courses over 5-6 semesters. Selected additional courses in the areas of specialization, as well as other electives, will be offered occasionally. Independent study through directed research is also available in special policy areas.
Employment Opportunities (back to top)
The MPA is an excellent degree for working professionals in local, state, or federal government, as well as non-profit organizations. It is also excellent preparation for advanced graduate study in the social sciences, for law school, or for careers in public service.
Our program features a one hour course that provides experience in public sector agencies that provides not only an applied learning experience, but one that builds the resume of our students, which for some will lead to job placement with these agencies.
Typical employment opportunities for people holding MPA degrees include:
- Executive Directors
- City Attorneys
- City Planners
- Research Directors
- Human Resource Directors
- Budget Officers
- Policy Analysts
An array of non-profit management positions are among the most typical MPA career destinations. Federal, State, and Local Government management positions at all agencies and departments are populated by officials holding MPA degrees.
Admission Requirements and Application (back to top)
The following credentials must be supplied before a candidate can be considered for admission:
1. A complete application form. Forms and online application are available through the Office of Graduate Programs at www.moreheadstate.edu/graduate/index.aspx?id=1329
2. A transcript of all undergraduate work.
(Must have earned a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution as well as 18 semester hours of undergraduate work in political science, sociology, economics, geography, psychology, business, or related field with GPA of 3.0 or higher. Students with demonstrated excellence in any undergraduate area will also be considered).
3. A GRE score of 1000 or higher. Lower scores (minimum of 800) may be accepted with other evidence of potential for quality work. For more information about the GRE, including test dates and how to register, see www.ets.org/gre
4. A two-page typewritten statement of personal, educational, and career goals to be used as a writing sample.
5. We encourage you to contact us directly to advise us of your application submission and to indicate any interest you might have in scholarship support and career placement and planning.
For More Information
For more information you may contact:
Dr. Michael W. Hail, Director of the MPA Program at IRAPP
Associate Director of the Institute for Federalism and Inter-Governmental Relations
(606) 783-5419
(859) 351-9997
m.hail@moreheadstate.edu
Dr. David R. Rudy, Dean and Professor, IRAPP
(606) 783-5420
d.rudy@moreheadstate.edu
Degree Requirements (back to top)
1. Satisfy University degree requirements.
2. Complete a minimum of 43 credit hours, including a core of 25 hours and a specialization of 12 hours.
3. Complete an approved thesis or applied research project (6 hours).
4. Successfully complete a written oral examination as determined by the student’s advisory committee.
5. Public presentation of applied research project or thesis research.
6. Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.
7. Must be unconditionally admitted.
About the Faculty (back to top)
· Stefan Brooks, Ph.D. (Political Science) University of Houston, Public Law
. Robert Bylund, Ph.D. (Sociology) Pennsylvania State University), Research Methods
· Lisa Cave, Ph.D. (Economics) University of Kentucky, Public Budgeting and Finance
· William Green, Ph.D. (Political Science) SUNY Buffalo, Comparative Federalism and Legal Studies
· Michael W. Hail, Ph.D. (Political Science) University of Delaware, Federalism and Constitutional Theory
· Stephen Lange, Ph. D. (Political Science) Boston College, Theoretical Foundations of Public Administration
· Christine McMichael, Ph.D. (Geography) San Diego State University, Spatial Analysis
· Brian Reeder, Ph.D. (Biology) The Ohio State University, Environmental Policy
· Edward Reeves, Ph.D. (Anthropology) University of Kentucky, Organizational Behavior and Education
· David R. Rudy, Ph.D. (Sociology) Syracuse University, Public Administration and Policy
Curriculum and Current Course Offerings (back to top)
Program Curriculum Guide (PDF file)
Click here to register for courses.
Please note that in looking for current course offerings, you will need to check under three or more disciplinary prefixes: PA, RAPP, SOC, etc. And, if taking courses off-campus, you will need to check not only the “on-campus” listings but also the “extended campus” listings for Lexington, Somerset, and Hazard.
Fall 2008
PA 650: Federalism and Constitutional Law |
Dr. William Green |
M 4:00-6:40 |
Lexington and Morehead |
PA 625: Public Budgeting & Finance |
Ms. Margaret Sloan |
TH 7:00-9:40 |
Morehead, Lexington, Somerset, Hazard |
PA 640: Theoretical Foundations of Public Administration |
Dr. Stephen Lange |
W 6:00-8:40 |
Morehead and Lexington |
RAPP 630: Graduate Seminar in Regional Analysis & Public Policy - Research Methods |
Ms. Margaret Sloan |
M 7:00-9:40 |
Morehead, Lexington, Somerset, Hazard |
PA 620: Bureaucracy & Public Management |
Dr. Michael Hail |
T 7:00-9:40 |
Morehead, Lexington, Somerset, Hazard |
PA 660: Intergovernmental Relations |
Dr. Michael Hail |
TH 4:00-6:40 |
Lexington and Morehead |
RAPP 670: Directed Research |
Dr. Michael Hail |
TBA |
Morehead, Lexington, Somerset, Hazard |
RAPP 610: Ideologies in Appalachia |
Dr. Dexter Alexander |
W 7:00-9:40 |
Morehead, Lexington, Somerset, Hazard |
PA 690: Internship |
Dr. Michael Hail |
TBA |
Morehead, Lexington, Somerset, Hazard |
PA 699: Thesis |
Dr. Michael Hail |
TBA |
Morehead, Lexington, Somerset, Hazard |
(back to top)
For more information you may contact:
Dr. Michael W. Hail, Director of the MPA Program at IRAPP
Associate Director of the Institute for Federalism and Inter-Governmental Relations
(606) 783-5419
(859) 351-9997
m.hail@moreheadstate.edu
Dr. David R. Rudy, Dean and Professor, IRAPP
(606) 783-5420
d.rudy@moreheadstate.edu
