Master of Public Administration (MPA)

To successfully lead a public or non-profit organization in today’s environment, administrators must develop superior executive, public policy, and resource management expertise. The Master of Public Administration (MPA) program strives to meet these challenges. Students customize this program by selecting an area of specialization to develop skills best suited to their academic and career goals. The MPA is backed by Drake University’s full resources and reputation and is fully accredited by AACSB – the hallmark of excellence in business education and earned by less than five percent of business schools.

Admission Requirements: (previous degrees, exams, etc)

Master of Public Administration applicants must meet the following admission requirements.

• Graduate Admission Application: Applications are available from the Drake Office of Graduate Admission, the Graduate Programs Office of the College of Business & Public Administration or you may apply on-line at https://www.applyweb.com/apply/drakeg/index.html .

• Application Fee of $25.00. Applicants who have previously paid the fee are not required to do so again.

On-line submissions require electronic fee payment that will be refunded if an application fee was paid for a previous Drake program.

• Official transcripts for ALL undergraduate and graduate coursework from EVERY institution attended (even if a degree was not earned).

• Current professional resume.

• Submission of two (2) letters of recommendation.

• Grade Point Average Criteria: Successful candidates for admission typically have the following minimum graduate point average. Students who do not meet these GPA minimums may contact the Graduate Programs Office of the College of Business and Public Administration for additional information.
• Undergraduate GPA = 3.00 (upper division and cumulative) and
• Graduate GPA = 3.00 (cumulative)

• TOEFL exam: International candidates must submit TOEFL results. Minimum acceptable TOELF score is 213 on the computer-based examination, 550 on the paper-based examination or 79-80 on the internet based test.
• Application deadlines: To be eligible for consideration, applications must be received by the following deadlines.

Fall admission July 15
Spring admission December 1
Summer admission April 15

Graduation Requirements:

• Number of Credit Hours required:
  
  Thirty-six hours of credit are required for completion.
• Required Courses:
• MPA Core Curriculum (21 Hours)

MPA 215: Changing Environment & Management of Public & Nonprofit Organizations
MPA 216: Managing Human resources as Assets* or
MGMT 282: Human Resources Management*
MPA 217: Applying Information, Research & Analysis in Nonprofit and Public Environments
MPA 225: Financial Aspects of Public & Nonprofit Organizations
MPA 226: Public Policy Decision Making Analysis
MPA 240: Values & Ethics in Decision Making**
MPA 260: Applying Innovative Solutions to Current Problems (after completion of 18 credit hours)

*Students may choose to take either MPA 216 or MGMT 282. Only one is required.
**Two options are available for students seeking an alternative core course based on their emphasis area:
Option #1: MPA 252: Information Technology & Electronic Commerce Strategy (for Financial Resources, Health Care, or Public Policy emphasis)
Option #2: MPA 254: Leadership & Human Capital Development (for Human Resources, Nonprofit Management, or Executive Development emphasis)

• MPA Emphasis Areas (15 Hours) Each student must choose four courses from a group of elective courses designed to focus on an area of specialization. Each student must also complete one advisor approved elective, which can be an approved course from any of the emphasis areas. The emphasis areas include:
• Executive Development
• Financial Resources
• Health Care Management
• Human Resources
• Nonprofit Management
• Public Policy

Other Requirements (experiential, exams, thesis, etc.

BUS 205: Leadership Essentials (non-credit workshop)

Each student must complete this elite training experience during the first semester of enrollment. This workshop focuses on communication and leadership skills. The workshop offers a competitive edge by providing you with the skills to consistently lead, influence and inform others. A handful of workshops are offered each term. Students meet over two days, Friday 1:00-8:00 p.m. and Saturday 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Any limitations and special policies (eg., gpa requirement, or requirements that students take certain courses at Drake):

• GPA: Maintain a 3.0 or higher
• Courses must be completed with a “C” or better; no more than two “C” grades may be received; the cumulative grade point, must be a 3.0 or better.
• 12 hours of graduate work may be transferred in from another accredited university.
• Transfer courses must be advisor approved.
• Courses transferred in are transferred as TR (no grade) and do not effect the Drake GPA.
• Transferred coursework must be at a B level or better.
• Transfer credits earned before admission are counted on the following scale:
  • Courses taken 0-5 years before degree completion may be transferred in as full credit.
  • Courses taken 6-10 years before degree completion may be transferred in as ½ credit.
  • Courses over 10 years old are not accepted.
  • Courses that are accepted must relate to the program of study.

Note:

• Students may complete the MPA program on either a part-time or full-time basis. Courses, however, are offered only in evening and weekend formats. There are no graduate level daytime courses.
• Students must be admitted to the MPA program to enroll in graduate courses.