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Master of Public Administration
Unique to UO | Curriculum | Admissions | Faculty The master of public administration (MPA) at the University of Oregon is a rigorous two-year program for people interested in training for careers addressing the critical social, economic, and environmental issues of our times. The curriculum is designed to provide a combination of academic theory, analytic skills, and real-world applications so that students become effective and creative leaders in public service. The program is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration.
A central focus of the program is to prepare students to become evidence-based policy makers, analysts, and managers. Evidence-based policy making is a concept that has been gaining widespread acceptance in the policy community, both in the U.S. and abroad. It is based on the idea that the formulation of policy and its implementation should be based on evidence of effectiveness. Fostering evidence-based policy making requires a closer connection between research and practice. On the one hand, it requires that researchers ask policy relevant questions and conduct meaningful and timely analyses that can support the policy process. On the other hand, it requires that policy makers, managers, and leaders think critically about research and integrate appropriate evidence in the implementation and formulation of policy and practice. The MPA curriculum has been developed to train students in applied research and provide opportunities for real-world applications. The faculty strives to support evidence-based policy making through our research and community outreach activities, as well as our teaching. Recent UO graduates work as advisors, policy analysts and strategic planners in all levels of government, in Oregon, throughout the US and around the globe. Their work addresses the full range of social, economic, environmental and development issues of the day, from improving health care access, increasing government efficiency and responsiveness, to creating new governmental structures in developing democracies. Alumni also work in a broad range of nonprofit organizations, for instance, as executive staff in social service, arts, and environmental organizations, and in for-profit companies serving the public sector. The State of Oregon is an exciting place to study public administration. As a “laboratory of democracy” it has a long and distinguished record of policy innovation. Most recently, Oregon has been on the forefront of innovations in land use, health care, and environmental policy. Oregon is also a beautiful place to live and be a graduate student. The University of Oregon is located in the Willamette Valley, with easy access to snow-capped mountains and scenic coastlines.
Admissions
Incoming MPA students share a passion and commitment to improving the social, economic and environmental conditions locally and globally. The MPA program draws students from across the United States and from a number of other countries. Most incoming students have several years of experience in the public or nonprofit sectors. Students’ undergraduate backgrounds are varied. While most majored in a social science field, it is not at all unusual to admit students with backgrounds in the arts and humanities or the natural or physical sciences. What unifies the students is their interest and commitment to public service. Approximately 25 students join the program each fall, for a total of roughly 50 graduate students in the MPA program. Students are selected for the MPA program based upon a combination of their undergraduate academic performance, intellectual aptitude, public service experience, and written statements. GREs are highly recommended for admission. The average undergraduate GPA for students in the program is 3.6 and their mean GRE scores are 580 for verbal reasoning, 624 for quantitative reasoning, and 5 for analytical writing. The deadline for fall admission is February 1st. Applications from exceptional applicants will be considered for winter and spring terms. Most students complete the MPA as full time students over two academic years. Students may complete the program part time, but doing so requires a flexible employment situation. Application materials are available on the department website. The department strongly encourages applications from people of all backgrounds. PPPM is dedicated to fostering a diverse academic environment to prepare future public leaders. Prospective students are encouraged to visit Eugene and learn more about the MPA program. Contact Zudegi Giordano (541-346-3635) to set up meetings with students and faculty, and to attend a class. MPA Curriculum
The 72-credit program prepares students to become effective and creative leaders in the public and nonprofit sectors. The curriculum provides students with a combination of substantive knowledge, analytic skills, and professional experience that prepares students for careers as evidence-based policymakers, analysts, or managers. The program is comprised of four components: 1) core courses, 2) an area of concentration, 3) an internship and professional development training, and 4) synthesizing applied research projects. MPA Core Courses The seven core courses (29 credits) provide students with the theoretical foundation and analytic skills to be effective leaders in the public or nonprofit sector. PPPM 618, Introduction to Public Service (Fall), 4 credits
The context of professional public services includes the history and theoretical foundation for public policy and management in the government and nonprofit sectors. PPPM 628, Public Sector Economy (Fall), 4 credits
Reasons for governmental intervention and analysis of revenue sources available to governments. Introduces economic framework commonly used in public service decision-making. PPPM 656, Quantitative Methods in Planning and Public Policy (Fall), 5 credits Develop skills in using quantitative analysis to evaluate policies and programs. Emphasizes selecting appropriate analysis procedures, interpreting results appropriately, and writing clearly about findings. PPPM 620, Applied Methods in Planning, Policy and Management (Winter), 4 credits Overview of the basic methods of research design in planning and public policy. Emphasizes the development of appropriate research questions, reviewing academic literature, measurement, data collection, types of data sets, causality, and the design of research projects. (Prerequisite: PPPM 656.) Resource allocation through the budget process. Includes analysis of budget system reforms and applied budget-making exercises. PPPM 636, Public Policy Analysis (Winter), 4 credits Understanding the rationale for and impact of public policy interventions. Developing systematic methods for analyzing policy design, adoption and assessment. (Prerequisite: PPPM 628.) PPPM 633, Public Management (Spring), 4 credits
Principles, issues, and practices in public management. Emphasizes the theory and practice designed to improve the performance of public service organizations. MPA Areas of Concentration
Students develop a substantive area of expertise by taking a minimum of 28 credits (7 courses) of course work in a concentration area. There are five concentration areas that students may choose from: policy, public management, nonprofit management, planning, or environmental policy. Examples of the courses that are appropriate for each concentration area are detailed on the departmental website. Students may alternatively develop their own concentration in consultation with a faculty advisor. Recent graduates have created customized concentrations in labor issues, health policy, and international development. Internships and Professional Development
Internships and professional development are integral components of the MPA curriculum. In their first year, students enroll in Internship and Professional Development (1 credit), which is a class designed to have students identify their career goals and develop a plan to meet those goals. Students identify summer internship and post-graduation fellowship opportunities, develop polished resume and cover letters, and conduct informational and mock interviews.
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