Master of Public Administration & Policy

Master of Public Administration & Policy

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Get the skills you need for a career in public service.

The Master of Public Administration & Policy (MPAP) is offered to students interested in careers in public service. Specifically, this program was created for policy makers and analysts such as legislative aides, and municipal, regional and state policy and planning staff. Courses are offered in a blended format, combining face-to-face and online interaction to meet the scheduling needs of students. As part of a vibrant Urban Studies Department, this program capitalizes on Worcester State University’s urban location and supports the development of public leaders for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and beyond.

The MPAP has an interdisciplinary core faculty drawn from many academic disciplines including urban studies, sociology, political science, economics, management, and criminal justice.

A two-course capstone component at the end of the program allows for real-life experience and a synthesis and evaluation of coursework.

Admissions Requirements

  • Online application with essay and application fee
  • Bachelor’s degree in political science, urban studies, criminal justice, economics, management, or related field with a minimum GPA of 2.75
  • 2 letters of recommendation from a professional or academic source
  • Prerequisite courses: Introductory courses in microeconomics, macroeconomics, political science, and statistics
  • Students may take up to 6 credits before matriculation

Program of Study

The Master of Public Administration & Policy is a 12-course, 36-credit degree with the following curriculum:

10 required core courses:

  • PA-901 Policy Analysis (3 credits)
  • PA-903 Economics for Policy Analysis (3 credits)
  • PA-934 Ethics & Management of Human Resources (3 credits)
  • PA-942 Organizational Theory (3 credits)
  • PA-945 Public Budgeting & Financial Management (3 credits)
  • PA-949 Strategic Leadership & Planning for Public Organizations (3 credits)
  • PA-951 Negotiation & Conflict Resolution for Public Organizations (3 credits)
  • PA-990 Analysis & Interpretation of Quantitative Data for Public Policy (3 credits)
  • PA-980 Capstone Fieldwork I for Public Administration & Policy (2 credits)
  • PA-981 Capstone Fieldwork II for Public Administration & Policy (4 credits)

2 elective courses selected from:

  • PA-902 Internship (3 credits)
  • PA-908 Legal, Regulatory & Ethical Issues in Healthcare (3 credits)
  • PA-940 Leadership Skills & Group Dynamics (3 credits)
  • PA-944 Politics & Public Policy (3 credits)
  • PA-946 Seminar in Program Analysis & Evaluation (3 credits)
  • PA-950 Unions & the Public Sector (3 credits)
  • PA-993 Public Relations for Public Organizations (3 credits)
  • PA-994 Assigned Readings (3 credits)
  • PA-996 Public Law (3 credits)
Explore sample courses in this program.
PA-501 Policy Analysis
This course provides an introduction to policy analysis. An applied social science, policy analysis attempts to define and frame public problems, identify and evaluate policy options for addressing those problems. and recommend solutions. Through the use of primarily case studies, this course helps students to develop the foundational concepts of policy analysis as well as practical policy analytic tools. Students learn to be both savvy policy consumers and producers.
3 credits
PA-590 Analysis of Quantitative Data
The ability to understand and analyze data is crucial to policy analysts. This course introduces students to statistical methods and explores their application to policy decisions. The course covers the essential elements of descriptive statistics, univariate, and bivariate statistical inference, as well as introducing multivariate analysis. The course emphasizes applied statistics and data analysis The goals of this course are: 1) to improve statistical literacy, 2) to expose students to the fundamental concepts and tools of statistical analysis, and 3) to prepare students to apply statistical concepts in policy decision making.
3 credits
PA-902 Internship
With the help of an internship coordinator, local students who do not have nonprofit experience and all international students will identify suitable nonprofit organizations in which to do an internship. The internship must provide valuable, career-related experience and learning goals. The goals of the internship will be established in conjunction with the coordinator and the host organization. These goals should take into account the student’s career interest, for example, development, fundraising and grant writing, human resource management, financial management, etc. Students must complete a minimum of 100 hours in the organization and write a summary of the internship experience.
3 credits
PA-903 Economics for Policy Analysis
This course utilizes both microeconomic and macroeconomic concepts and tools with an emphasis on applications to public management and policy analysis. Decision making in the public sector is made within a political context and involves different considerations than decision making in the private sector. This course is designed to help public policy administrators and managers address real-world issues and problems from an economic perspective to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of their organizations. Central issues include the economic justification for government involvement, the balancing of efficiency and equity, and the development of policies to improve the well-being of citizens.
3 credits
PA-908 Legal, Regulatory & Ethical Issues in Health Care
An overview of the legal and regulatory framework governing health care from both the manager’s and the client’s point of view. Legal rights and duties of patients and health care providers, hospital liability, hospital-physician relationships, patient’s rights, informed consent, privacy and confidentiality, and negligence and malpractice.
3 credits
PA-934 Ethics & Management of Human Resources
Leaders and managers of nonprofit and public organizations face moral and ethical dilemmas in dealing with their publics (clients, staff, volunteers, donors, government agencies, board of directors, collaborating partners, the community, etc.). These dilemmas are particularly pronounced because these organizations operate under strict ethical guidelines, are accountable to the general public, and have to deal with many different publics. This course explores the ways in which leaders resolve these ethical dilemmas while sustaining their organizations. Additionally, this course explores the human resources management functions including planning, recruitment and selection, motivation, compensation and employee services, development, labor relations, etc.
3 credits
PA-940 Leadership Skills & Group Dynamics
Explores the nature and principles of effective group and organizational leadership. Students participate in a group that studies its own leadership process. Examples are taken from therapy groups, business/organizational situations, classrooms, and other case studies. Emphasis upon the components of effective leadership and fellowship in small groups and organizations. Group formation, group roles, group stages, and group conflicts are studied.
3 credits
PA-942 Organizational Theory
Organizational theory and development strategies considered. Formal and informal aspects of organizations, authority structures, specialization and integration of functions, and the role of professional managers.
3 credits
PA-944 Politics and Public Policy
An explication of the nature of political power and the influence of power upon the delivery of various types of nonprofit: public, health care, and human services.
3 credits
PA-945 Public Budgeting & Financial Management
This course provides students with an overview of public budgets and budget processes in the United States. Public agency budgets are the means by which public resources are allocated and are therefore central to the role of government. This also means that budgets are about reconciling competing public interests and are prepared and implemented within a charged political context. This course therefore includes a discussion of the players and strategies involved in the public budget process while providing students with the practical skills necessary in understanding, analyzing, and preparing budgets.
3 credits

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