Public Administration and Community Management (MA)

A multidisciplinary degree program oriented toward examining and understanding the broad range of problems and opportunities associated with the nation's urban and regional areas. Students in the degree program may prepare themselves for professional leadership careers in local government management and public administration, or use the degree as preparation for Ph.D. study. The program requirements are designed to provide flexibility while ensuring a multidisciplinary, problem-solving perspective. 

Mission

The Master of Arts in Public Administration and Community Management (MPACM) prepares students for professional local and regional public service leadership careers in the U.S. system by instructing in the application of law, ethics, equity, and current trends in governance through a combination of public administration theory and applied skills training. (Adopted academic year 2014- 2015).

Note: The Urban and Regional Studies Master of Arts program has merged with the Master of Public Administration Program to form the Master of Arts in Public Administration and Community Management.

If you were in enrolled in either of these two programs prior to this change, please view older catalogs with applicable program requirements and course information.

View the URSI Graduate Handbook (PDF)

MPACM Public Service Values

• Professional competency:  MPACM will provide education and hands-on training to meet market demand for public administrators, ensuring students are wholly prepared for the profession with theoretical and hands-on experience before they graduate.

• Law: MPACM will train students to serve the public in a way that is consistent with local, state, and federal legal standards to ensure policy is enforced and enacted fairly and legally consistent at all levels of governance.

• Ethics: MPACM will provide instruction in the ethical standards necessary to establish and maintain public trust and faith that the profession is acting in the best interest of the communities it serves.

• Equity: MPACM will recognize and instruct in equitable and inclusive public administration, cultivating an understanding of respect, fairness, and justice to the public to enhance the profile of the profession among colleagues and a diverse citizenry.

• Continuous improvement: MPACM recognizes the evolving world of public administration, and will seek ways to improve the program to meet market demand, community needs, and keep faculty and student skills up to date.