Program Details

The Master of Arts of Public Administration and Community Management (MPACM) is a multidisciplinary degree program orientated 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 careers in local government, or use the degree as preparation for Ph.D. study. The program is housed in the Urban and Regional Studies Institute, a division of the Department of Government at the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences.

Facts and Figures

Mission Statement

The Master of Arts in Public Administration and Community Management (MPACM) prepares students for professional local and regional public service leadership careers in the US 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).

Public service values and goals

The degree program aims to develop Public Service Values in Professional competency, Law, Ethics, Equity, and Continuous improvement. There are unique goals that can be achieved with The Master of Arts of Public Administration and Community Management.

MPACM Public Service Values and Goals

Program Profile / Plan of Study

Credits Required to Complete the Program: 36

• Common Core (13-18 credits)
• Restricted Elective Courses (12 credits)
• Unrestricted Electives (9 credits)

View full course listing and requirements

Program Duration and delivery

• The MPACM is a two-year (4 semesters) program for full time students - Full time is defined as six credits per semester.
• It is a traditional degree offered at the main campus in Mankato, MN, with some courses offered online.

Admission Criteria

• Program admission is a competitive process through which students that have the required undergraduate preparation the motivation to succeed may begin the rigorous preparation for a rewarding career in public service.
• Visit the admissions criteria webpage for more information about the application requirements.

Admission Requirements

TuItion & Fees

• Programs within the Urban and Regional Studies Institute (MPACM and MAUP) follows the tuition guidelines of the University, and its students are required to abide by these tuition rates. You must enroll in at least six graduate credits to be considered a full time student. Costs will vary depending on number of credits you are enrolled in.

Tuition Rates and Fees

Department of Government Scholarships

1. Graduate Assistantships (Up to 9-credit tuition waiver and $10,000 annual stipend). 
2. The Robert Barret Scholarship (Up to $6,000 for the academic year)
3. URSI Leadership Scholarship (Up to $5,000 for the academic year)

Visit the links below to apply for the graduate assistantships and department's scholarships.

Learn More About the Program

Diversity

The program has averaged, since Fall 2011:

• A 21.56% diversity (student of color) student enrollment
• Gender enrollment in the program is 59.5% male and 39.5% female
• International students account for 37.5% of program enrollment

Per University policy, and the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act (MN Statutes, chapter 13), diversity details per year are aggregated with the past five years of diversity data to protect individual student privacy.

Graduation Rates

• Historically, 48.08% of students admitted into the PACM program graduate from the program within 2 years, 64.03% graduate within 3 years, 72.87% graduate within 4 years and, in total, 80.78% of students admitted into the PACM program graduate within 6 years.

Post-Graduation Employment

• Historically, 98.45% of program graduates find employment within 1 year of graduating (80.3% find employment s professionals working in the field).

• Note: Primary data is reported by the Career Development Center Survey.
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• Graduate statistic reports by major are available at Career Development Center Graduate Statistics.
• (Response from alumni is voluntary)

Occupational Demand And Outlook

• Based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, industries served by this program will see a increase in jobs between 2015 and 2022:
  • 603 jobs in the state of Minnesota, 34,200 jobs nationwide.

Internship Requirement: Professional Preparation for Real World Jobs

• Internships are required of all students in the PACM program. Consistently, PACM program students complete their internships at Local (city, county, or regional) Government Management agencies. Philosophically and functionally, the PACM program is dedicated to the concept that internships at local government management facilities are a valuable, perhaps critical, facet of the educational experience.
• Students must perform at least 300 hours of internship duties, or apply for an internship waiver. Waivers are granted ONLY if students are currently working full time in the profession and have been in a related position for a minimum of two years.