Master of Public Administration
Master of Public Administration
If you aspire to a career in public service, then the Master of Public Administration online degree program at Ashford University is for you.
Degree Focus
As a graduate of the Master of Public Administration degree at Ashford University you will gain a wide range of proficiencies in financial management, budgeting, quantitative methods, urban planning, redevelopment, and personnel management. You will perfect your interpersonal and management skills while gaining expertise in decision making, policy implementation, and managing personnel in ways that embrace quality and diversity.
Career Opportunities
You will access greater opportunities for career advancement with a degree in public administration at the Master's level. While many entry-level positions in government only require a Bachelor's degree, the Master of Public Administration is required to advance to senior management positions. Among the many public-sector careers available to graduates there are:
- Urban planner
- Non-profit and NGO director
- Personnel manager
- Policy analyst
- Legislative advisor
The online courses in this graduate curriculum are taught by advanced-degree faculty with real-world experience in the subjects they teach.
If this program fits your personal and professional goals, contact Ashford University at 866.711.1700 to learn more, or request additional information.
Master of Public Administration
Program Outcomes
Students who successfully complete the Master of Public Administration degree program will be able to:
- Demonstrate critical thinking skills relevant to public administration contexts;
- Apply management theory to the practice of public administration;
- Evaluate the impact of political influences on the public sector decision-making process;
- Analyze the needs of various stakeholders in the development of public policy;
- Assess the effectiveness of public administration strategies for dealing with urban planning and redevelopment;
- Evaluate public administration trends and strategies for financing government operations; and
- Assess the role and function of public administration in today’s multicultural environment.
Program Requirements
To be awarded the Master of Public Administration degree, all students must complete 36* semester credits with a 3.00 minimum grade point average.
* Students will complete 33 credits if they have transferable undergraduate coursework in Economics, Finance and Accounting that meets Ashford University criteria.
Program Disclosures
Federal regulations published in October, 2010 require institutions to report certain information about students who enrolled in Title IV eligible educational programs that lead to gainful employment in a recognized occupation (GE programs). These required disclosures include a program’s 1) program costs; 2) on-time completion rates; 3) median loan debt; 4) links to O*NET SOC descriptions; and 5) placement rates. Please find all of the required information at this link: Program Disclosures.
Admission Requirements
- Must have a regionally or approved nationally accredited Bachelor's degree with minimum 2.0 GPA.
- English Language Requirement
Technology Requirements
Competencies
Students must possess the following online competencies:
- Ability to access course and program material on the Internet;
- Ability to correspond with University staff, students, and faculty using email and the Internet; and
- Ability to use appropriate antivirus utilities so that files transmitted and received are virus free.
System requirements
The following minimum system configuration and software are required:
- Platforms: Mac OS X 10.2 or higher or Windows XP or higher;
- Hardware: 256 Mb RAM, CD-ROM, and 1 Gb free disk space;
- Productivity Software: Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel 2003 or higher; Adobe Reader 8.0 or higher; Adobe Flash 10 or higher (Constellation users);
- Web Browser: Firefox 3.0 or higher, Internet Explorer 8.0 or higher, Safari 4.0 or higher, or Chrome;
- Networking: 56k dialup modem, DSL, or Cable modem;
- Email: Outlook, Outlook Express, Mac Mail, Eudora, Entourage, or Yahoo/Hotmail/Gmail.
Recommended for optimal performance
- Productivity Software: Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel 2007 or higher;
- Networking: Broadband Internet connection (DSL, cable, or other);
- Constellation users: Windows Media Player 7 or higher, sound card and speakers.
Transferability
Transfer up to 9 semester credits from a regionally or approved nationally accredited college or university.* Call now for more information at 866.711.1700.
* The transferability of credits is subject to Ashford University’s transfer credit policies, and requires the submission of official transcripts. The official transcripts will be evaluated to determine the credits that will officially apply toward an Ashford University degree program.
Online Format
You will take your courses one at a time for 6 weeks each, accelerating your path to graduation. Your course content is delivered in a high-tech format, and you can complete your weekly assignments when and where it's convenient for you thanks to the asynchronous online environment.
Cost*
Your tuition rates are among the lowest available online at $568 per credit. You will also be responsible for fees to enroll. View complete cost of attendance. Call today to learn more at 866.711.1700.
* Tuition costs subject to change without notice.
Payment Options
- Cash Plan – 100% of tuition and fees paid on or before each course start date.
- Tuition Reimbursement – If your employer offers a tuition reimbursement plan, we'll work with you to apply this great benefit toward your education.
- Financial Aid – You may be eligible for financial aid. Talk to an Admissions Counselor to find out if you meet the requirements to qualify.
- Direct (Employer) Billing – If you work for a company approved for direct billing, you may qualify for this payment option.
- Military Tuition Assistance – Includes active-duty service and Veterans Affairs benefits, such as GI Bill and Vocational Rehab, if you qualify. Learn more about military benefits.
If this program fits your personal and professional goals, contact Ashford University at 866.711.1700 to learn more, or request additional information.
Master of Public Administration
Broaden your professional horizons with the valuable knowledge you acquire through the Master of Public Administration program. The online courses in this graduate curriculum are taught by advance-degree faculty with real-world experience in the subjects they teach.
Course Requirements
(36 credits, all courses are 3 credits. Courses listed in the recommended sequence.)
BUS 600 Management Communications with Technology Tools
This course is designed to introduce the student to the Ashford University Graduate Business programs, with emphasis on conceptualizing communication and communication processes in the contexts of organizations and leadership. Emphasis will be on technology, theories and models, qualitative communication research methodologies, and research writing.
BUS 610 Organizational Behavior
This course investigates behavioral factors that affect modern organizations and their management. Topics include group and team dynamics, organizational structure, motivation, leadership, power, and change management.
OMM 618 Human Resources Management
A study of managing people in the workplace, focusing on the important policies and processes associated with recruiting, hiring, training, and evaluating personnel in order to achieve strategic organizational goals.
OMM 640 Business Ethics & Social Responsibility
This course analyzes organizational, professional and personal ethics and creates a framework for exploring the social responsibilities of managers and organizational leaders. Case studies and scenario presentations will be used to explore ways to encourage ethical development and moral behavior within organizational culture and to resolve business ethical issues and dilemmas.
BUS 660 Contemporary Issues in Organizational Leadership
This course provides an in-depth examination of the multi-faceted concept of leadership studies by presenting the student with the vocabulary, concepts, theories, and applicable research that are fundamental to the understanding of leadership. The course examines contemporary and historical leadership issues, moral and ethical responsibilities of leadership, and leadership in a variety of contexts. Leadership as a social and political influence process is examined.
BUS 599 Introduction to Quantitative Principles
This course is an overview of the fundamentals of accounting, finance, and economics. Students will investigate the fundamental principles of accounting through the preparation of financial statements. The basics of managerial finance including the use of net present valuation models fundamental financial ratio analysis will be examined. Students will also explore modern economic philosophy including an understanding of basic supply and demand, and micro- and macro-economics systems. (NOTE: If you submit official transcripts indicating that you have earned a Bachelor's degree in Business, Business Administration, Accounting, Finance, Economics or have successfully completed undergraduate coursework in Economics, Accounting, and Finance with a grade of "C" or higher in each, you will be exempt from the requirement to take BUS 599 Introduction to Quantitative Principles. Otherwise, BUS 599 is required for graduation and constitutes an additional 3 credits of required coursework.)
PPA 601 Foundations of Public Administration
This course examines the theory and practice of public administration, its legal and constitutional foundation and the role of the public administrator in public policy. The context of the course discussions are based on the current issues facing public agency administrators.
PPA 602 Public Financial Management
This course is an exploration of current governmental fiscal management techniques and issues. Other course topics include various types of financial and technical assistance as well as quasi-governmental and non-profit management organizations.
PPA 603 Government Budgeting
This is a comprehensive, straightforward examination of government budgeting. Topics deal with include the advantages and disadvantages of various approaches to revenue projection, the collection and review of departmental proposals, the development of capital budgeting policy and other budgeting tasks. Also addressed are budget implementation, accounting and financial reporting. A variety of methods for maintaining budgetary balance, preventing overspending and dealing with contingencies are presented and discussed.
PPA 604 Urban Planning / Redevelopment
This course is an examination of historical development of urban planning practices and concepts, general plans and their elements in the urban community. It also integrates the use of technology in planning processes.
PPA 605 Negotiation, Bargaining, & Conflict Management
This course analyzes bargaining and negotiation principles and practices in the public sector. The course focuses on the financial issues of contract negotiations and labor relations and building negotiation skills of the administrator.
PPA 699 Public Policy Development
This capstone course is an examination of influences affecting policy development and decision making in the urban political arena. It also covers policy management, policy execution, establishing and measuring criteria for policy success, and effective communication throughout the public policy process. This course is cumulative in nature, integrating knowledge and information attained while completing the entire Master of Public Administration curriculum. In addition, this course requires the generation and presentation of an analysis of a community development project.
If this program fits your personal and professional goals, contact Ashford University at 866.711.1700 to learn more, or request additional information.
Ashford University Program Disclosures
Federal regulations published in October, 2010 require institutions to report certain information about students who enrolled in Title IV eligible educational programs that lead to gainful employment in a recognized occupation (GE programs). These required disclosures include a program’s 1) program costs; 2) on-time completion rates; 3) median loan debt; 4) links to O*NET SOC descriptions; and 5) placement rates. Please find all of the required information contained below.
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