Course Cycle

The Master of Public Administration (M.P.A.) program offers full-time and part-time program options. The full-time program requires students to take three (3) courses per term while the part-time option allows students to take one (1) or two (2) course(s) per term based on the individual circumstances of each student. In addition, depending on the student's academic background, an undergraduate course in statistics may be required as a prerequisite course. If taken at Framingham State University, either MATH 117 or QUAN 676 would qualify and may be required prior to the start of the M.P.A. courses.

Prerequisite Courses (Undergraduate course in Statistics)

If taken at Framingham State University, then:

  • STAT 117 Intro to Statistics
    • OR
  • QUAN 676 Statistical Analysis for Managers

Course Cycle for Full-Time Public Administration Students

Year One: Fall Semester

  • PADM 901 Foundations of Public Administration (core)
  • PADM 929 Techniques of Policy Analysis (core)
  • QUAN 908 Quantitative Analysis for Administrators (core)

Year One: Spring Semester

  • PADM 937 Techniques of Public Budgeting & Resource Management (core)
  • PADM 981 Personnel Management in the Public Sector (core)
  • and ONE of the following elective courses:
  • PADM 911 Grantsmanship and Development (elective)
  • MGMT 955 Compensation and Performance Appraisal (elective)

Year Two: Fall Semester

  • MGMT 904 Management and Leadership (core)

and TWO of the following elective courses:

  • PADM 944 Marketing for Non-Profit Organizations (elective)
  • PADM 957 Risk Management and Fiscal Analysis (elective)
  • or another Public Administration Elective (selected in consultation with Program Advisor)

Year Two: Spring Semester*

  • PADM 984 Seminar in Public Administration **(core)


*International students are allowed to take a reduced load for one semester.


**Capstone course (PADM 984 Seminar in Public Administration) requires signed permission from the Dean of Graduate Studies (see the Graduate Seminar Approval Form on our website)



Course Cycle for Part-Time Public Administration Students
(Students taking 1 or 2 courses per semester)

The following courses are available to choose from for part-time students in the M.P.A. program:

Fall Semester

  • MGMT 904 Management and Leadership
  • PADM 901 Foundations of Public Administration
  • PADM 929 Techniques of Policy Analysis
  • PADM 957 Risk Management and Fiscal Analysis (elective)
  • QUAN 908 Quantitative Analysis for Administrators

Spring Semester

  • PADM 911 Grantsmanship and Development (elective)
  • PADM 937 Techniques of Public Budgeting & Resource Management
  • PADM 981 Personnel Management in the Public Sector
  • MGMT 955 Compensation and Performance Appraisal (elective)
  • PADM 984 Seminar in Public Administration *

    *This is the culminating course in the student’s program and may not be taken before the final semester of the program. Exceptions, requiring advisor approval, may be made for students taking an elective course over the summer. Registration for the seminar requires prior written approval from the Dean of Graduate Studies. Students will not be able to fulfill this requirement with a course transferred from another institution. The capstone course (PADM 984 Seminar in Public Administration) requires signed permission from the Dean of Graduate Studies (see the Graduate Seminar Approval Form on our website)

Additional elective options are also available to all students in the M.P.A. program at various times during the academic year:

Program Coordinator and Advisor: David Smailes

Notes:

  1. Requirements are accurate to date. However, the University reserves the right to change requirements in the future, and will notify applicants should any changes be made.
  2. Refer to appropriate catalog for Degree Requirements for prior years.