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Saginaw Valley State University

Master of Public Administration

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No GRE! Contact gradadm@svsu.edu for your app fee waiver!

No GRE! Contact gradadm@svsu.edu for your app fee waiver!

Join us for one of our upcoming virtual information sessions:

 Dates TBA

Meeting Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85148332722

Meeting ID: 851 4833 2722

Master of Arts - Public Administration

Preparing Individuals to Excel in Leadership and Administrative Roles

We are the doers. The empowered few who train our eye to the horizon and focus on what can be, not just what is. We are armed with the skills and confidence necessary to lead our organizations into the future. We will not be denied. We are SVSU MPA students and we want you.

  • Endorsed by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (HLC)
  • Capstone/Thesis option offered for students wishing to pursue doctorate-level degrees
  • Student Affairs internship opportunities available
  • Community Engagement Classification by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching

 

The MPA program is an interdisciplinary program designed for individuals seeking employment or advancement to leadership positions in public service organizations including federal, state and local government, non-profit agencies, law enforcement, and public or private colleges and universities. This program offers students a great opportunity to network with others from a variety of fields and backgrounds. The Public Administration program produces value for the region, state and society by preparing highly-qualified and skilled public administrators. These individuals contribute to the betterment of a culturally diverse workplace by providing intellectual and experiential opportunities.

MPA Admission Requirements

The objective of the Master of Arts in Public Administration is to provide educational and professional development for people employed in, or seeking employment and advancement to, leadership positions in the public or private sectors; such as those in criminal justice, governmental, human services, or public and non-profit agency administration and leadership, college and university student affairs, and for students of public affairs. The program is designed and primarily intended for those who have earned baccalaureate degrees in liberal arts, criminal justice, political science and other social sciences. Those who have earned degrees in other disciplines are welcome to apply. 

Admission Criteria for MPA
  • A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a cumulative GPA of 3.0.
  • Undergraduate prerequisites include not less than three credits in statistics and/or research methods.
  • Submission of completed online application.
  • A current résumé.
  • A one-page statement of accomplishments and academic goals.
  • International students whose native language is not English must submit either a TOEFL score of 79, or an IELTS score of 6.5 or higher. 

International Requirements

International students must also provide:
  • Applicants whose native language is not English must demonstrate English language proficiency. The Program accepts a score of 79 or higher on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL-IBT), 6.5 on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or a passing score on an alternative test as determined by the College.
  • Evidence of Financial Support
  • Passport 

Program Requirements

Choose one of two program options:

  • Public Administration Track (36 credits), or
  • The University and College Student Affairs Administrative Track (36 credits)

Public Administration Required Courses (36 cr)

University and College Student Affairs Administrative Track

This track provides graduates of MPA students both academic and applied experiences in the administration of university and college student affairs. The track provides students with knowledge of the history, theories, administrative practices and contemporary research in post-secondary student affairs administration with a special emphasis on leadership and management skills.

Required Courses (36 cr)

Core (21 cr)

Student Affairs Administrative Specialization (9 cr)

Advanced Administration (6 cr)

Choose two of the following three courses:

 Sample Two-Year Advising Schedule

MPA Program

Fall Semester – Year One

MPA 510 – Intro to Public Admin

LS 570 – Intercultural Communication

LS 615 – Ethics in the Professions

Winter Semester – Year One

MPA 520 – Communication for Administrators

LS 565 – Organizational Finance

LS 625 – Legislatures: Politics and Policy

 

Spring Semester  – Year One

MPA 560 – Conflict Management

LS 580 – Human Resources Development

Fall Semester – Year Two

LS 655 – Program Development

MPA 670 – Experiential Learning in Pub Admin

Winter Semester – Year Two

LS 660 – Organizational Leadership

MPA 680 – Research Trends in Pub Admin

  

 

MPA Program -- Student Affairs Track

Fall Semester – Year One

MPA 510 – Intro to Public Admin

MPA 590 – Enrollment Management

LS 570 – Intercultural Communication

MPA 585 - Student Affairs Admin

Winter Semester – Year One

MPA 520 – Communication for Administrators

MPA 600 - Student Development

(One of the three following classes):

LS 565 – Organizational Finance

LS 625 – Legislatures: Politics and Policy

LS 660 – Organizational Leadership 

Spring Semester – Year One

MPA 560 – Conflict Management

LS 580 – Human Resource Development

Fall Semester – Year Two

MPA 590 - Enrollment Management

MPA 600 – Student Development

LS 615 – Ethics in the Professions

 

Winter Semester – Year Two

MPA 680 – Research Trends in Pub Admin

(One of the three following classes):

LS 565 – Organizational Finance

LS 625 – Legislatures: Politics and Policy

LS 660 – Organizational Leadership 

  

SVSU's Master of Public Administration offers working adults a flexible solution for earning a graduate degree in Public Administration from a highly ranked and nationally recognized program. With an MPA degree, you can land a job like:

  • Administrative Services Managers: 10% job growth and $96,180 median salaries, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, US dept. of Labor
  • Political Scientists: 3% job growth and $117,570 median salary, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, US dept. of Labor
  • Human Resources Managers: 9% job growth and $113,300 median salary, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, US dept. of Labor
  • Management Analysts: 14% job growth and $83,610 median salary, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, US dept. of Labor
  • Urban and Regional Planners: 13% job growth and $73,050 median salary, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, US dept. of Labor

 

Michigan Resident 

Graduate Courses (500-699 Level Courses)
HHS 500-799 Level Courses

$656.15/cr.hr.

Non-Michigan Resident

Graduate Courses (500-699 Level Courses)
HHS 500-799 Level Courses

$1,234.25/cr.hr.

 

Financial Aid and Scholarships

 

Judith and Thomas Donahue/Capital Group Companies Endowed Scholarship in Political Science

A qualified candidate will be a full- or part-time student with a minimum of junior standing (62 credits or more), be majoring in political science or public administration, and have a minimum 3.0 cumulative G.P.A.

Award: $1,250

Scopes: College of Arts & Behavioral Sciences Scholarships 

 

USWA Local 12075 Annual Scholarship in Human Services

To be eligible, full-time students must major in Social Work, Criminal Justice, Public Administration, or Political Science, have achieved sophomore standing (31 or more credits), have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5, demonstrate financial need (FAFSA), and the ability or potential to make a positive contribution to their chosen fields.

Award: $500

Scopes: College of Arts & Behavioral Sciences Scholarships, College of Health & Human Services Scholarships

 

USWA Local 12075 Dannie Garver Memorial

Candidates must be full-time students pursuing a degree in social work, criminal justice, public administration, or political science. Applicants must also have completed 31 credits or more, have a cumulative G.P.A. of 2.5 or higher, demonstrate financial need (FAFSA), and demonstrate potential or ability or make a positive contribution to their chosen field.

Award :$500

Scopes: College of Arts & Behavioral Sciences Scholarships, College of Health & Human Services Scholarships

 

Apply to SVSU Private Scholarships through, Private Scholarships

 

 

Alumni Spotlights

Male and female MPA student meet with news reporter

Steve Hensley

“As a young professional who is resolute on making a positive impact in my community — the SVSU MPA program helped advance my intellectual preparedness and overall skill set. My passions are rooted in civic engagement and service, but in order to institute change and cultivate key stakeholder relationships, the hard and soft skills taught within the MPA program has polished my poise, perspective, and approach — granting me greater opportunity to be successful, and in-turn, the community succeeds as well.”

MPA Alum Lisa Grills practicing Public Administration and writing professionally

Lisa Grills

"The MPA program at SVSU integrated leadership and personal attention into the foundational classes which allowed me to advance my career to a national level. The faculties in this program are extraordinary."

MPA Alumni staff photo from Saginaw Basin Land Conservancy, standing outside

Theodore Lind

"The MPA program allowed me to connect with other driven professionals. I was not only able to learn from the amazing faculty, but I was able to leverage the expertise of my peers to have rich classroom discussions. I now have professional skills that are immediately applicable to my work environment."

CONTACT US.


Graduate Admissions
Wickes Hall 230
gradadm@svsu.edu
(989) 964-6096

Joseph Jaksa, Ph.D., CPP, MPA Program Coordinator
Brown Hall 317
jjjaksa@svsu.edu
(989) 964-2178

College of Arts & Behavioral Sciences
Wickes Hall 357
Dean Marc H. Peretz, D.M.A.
(989) 964-4062