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Why the MPA?
The Degree | Uniquely Binghamton
The Degree
The Master of Public Administration Program prepares students for positions in the public service through community service, research and a program of study that facilitates intellectual development, promotes scholarship and integrates the theory and practice of public administration.
The MPA is a two-year, 42-credit program consisting of six “core” or required courses, one additional public administration course selected from a list of public administration electives, two elective courses, a two-credit internship and a capstone seminar. Conditionally admitted students, or those with identified skill deficiencies, may be required to complete courses in professional writing, basic computing or administrative systems as prerequisites to further their MPA coursework
Two courses, PAFF 510 and PAFF 521, are prerequisites for the balance of the MPA program.
Core courses:
PAFF 510 Logic of Inquiry
PAFF 521 Public Management/Public Administration
PAFF 522 The Policy Process
PAFF 523 Introduction to Policy Analysis
PAFF 525 Public Ethics and Democratic Government
PAFF 527 Public and Not-for-Profit Finance
Students must also take one course from the following list of electives:
PAFF 521 Administrative Law
PAFF 533 Intergovernmental Relations
PAFF 534 Personnel Administration in Public and Not-for-Profit Organizations
PAFF 537 Organizational Behavior
PAFF 551 Introduction to Management/Leadership in Not-for-Profit Organizations
PAFF 561 Comparative Public Administration and Policy
Concentrations
Students will be offered two course sequences in several concentrations including:
- public administration
- nonprofit administration
- environmental policy
- health policy
- comparative administration and policy
- urban planning (with the Department of Geography)
- educational policy (with the School of Education)
MPA students will be encouraged to enroll in the three-course Leadership Certification program offered by the School of Management.
The Internship
Upon completion of the 24 MPA credits (or with the approval of the program), students complete a 200-hour, 15-week internship. Internships are usually done within the area of concentration with a governmental, not-for-profit or for-profit organization. In-career students, such as program managers, case workers with supervisory experience or executive directors with significant professional, policy or administration experience may waive the internship with approval from the program.
MPA students have served internships with agencies of the federal, state and local governments; agencies of New York City; various physical and mental health provider organizations; various county governments; and NYSEG. The internship experience provides an excellent opportunity for the student to “network” in preparation for entering the job market.
Internships have included the following organizations:
- City of Elmira
- New York State legislature
- Broome County Department of Health
- City of Binghamton
- Broome County Office of Aging
- Lourdes Hospital
- WSKG Public Radio and TV
- Village of Endicott
- City of New York (various offices)
Capstone Seminar
Students enroll in the Capstone Seminar after completing the program’s core courses and the internship (unless waived). Completion of the capstone project requires the approval of the project paper proposal and an oral defense if the completed project before a three-person committee comprised of two faculty members and the internship supervisor, or an appropriate organizational representative.
Following the student’s satisfactory completion of coursework, including any required prerequisites, and the capstone project, the program recommends to the Graduate School that the candidate be awarded the Master of Public Administration.
