Master of Public Administration

The Master of Public Administration degree program is designed to prepare individuals to serve as managers in public organizations, including non-profit organizations and various branches of government organizations. Florida Tech’s master of public administration degree program is heavily focused on studying the ethical and sociological behavior within public organizations. The core competencies of the master of public administration program include teamwork, decision making, communication, leadership, ethics and diversity.

A master’s degree in public administration can be compared to a master’s degree in business administration (MBA), but is more focused on educating individuals who wish to pursue governmental or non-profit career paths. The master of public administration degree can lead to several career paths, including public relations, politics, urban planning, consulting, foreign service, public management, and revenue and taxation. Graduates from Florida Techs’ master of public administration program have been hired to work for local, state and federal government and non-profit organizations including the EPA, the EEOC, NASA, the Small Business Administration and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Curriculum

Curriculum program plans shown reflect current degree requirements. Previous academic year requirements can be accessed from the catalog page by choosing the appropriate academic year.

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Master of Public Administration

The goal of the Master of Public Administration is to prepare individuals for advanced leadership positions in the private, public and military sectors with specific skills and competencies in public administration.

Admission Requirements

The applicant to the Master of Public Administration program must have a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited university. The bachelor’s degree need not be in public or business administration; however, applicants may be assigned academic prerequisites to complete based on deficiencies in their undergraduate studies preparation.

The GRE or GMAT may be required for admission evaluation purposes. General admission requirements and the process for applying are discussed in the Academic Overview section of the university catalog. Individuals who do not meet the stated requirements for regular admission may petition to take graduate courses for credit as a continuing education applicant.

Degree Requirements

The MPA is conferred on students who have successfully completed 36 credit hours of graduate work plus other course requirements as listed on the student’s approved graduate program plan. Students without adequate undergraduate background will be required to complete all or part of the program prerequisites. Students who do not select an area of concentration may choose elective courses with the approval of both the faculty adviser and the academic unit head.

Program Prerequisites (noncredit for this program)

Note: In addition, computer literacy is required as a prerequisite. It can be demonstrated by the applicant’s undergraduate coursework, passing a proficiency examination offered by the Extended Studies Division or by completing a suitable computer course.

*Serves as the capstone course for this program.

Students who do not select an area of concentration may choose electives from other graduate-level offerings in business, or other related disciplines, with the approval from both the faculty adviser and the cognizant academic unit head.