MPA students may select either a 15-month (full-time) or an 18-month (part-time) degree track. All students in each incoming cohort (both full- and part-time) will take their core courses together as a learning community while selecting concentration and elective courses that meet their individual learning goals. 

Full-time Student Schedule

  • Summer term I: 2 courses
  • Fall term I: 3 courses
  • Spring term I: 3 courses
  • Summer term II: 2 courses

Part-time Student Schedule

  • Summer term I: 2 courses
  • Fall term I: 2 courses
  • Spring term I: 2 courses
  • Summer term II: 2 courses
  • Fall term II: 2 courses

Sample 15-month Course Sequence

  • Policy Analysis for Public Affairs Leaders (core)
  • Data Analysis for Decision-makers (core)
  • Leadership, Management, and Change (core)
  • Public Budgeting and Financial Management (concentration)
  • Decision and Negotiation Strategy (concentration)
  • Ethics, Values, and Public Affairs (concentration)
  • Information Management and Governance (elective)
  • Communications and Advocacy Strategy (elective)
  • Capstone Project (core)
  • Economic Analysis for Decision-makers (elective)

SAMPLE 18-MONTH COURSE SEQUENCE

  • Policy Analysis for Public Affairs Leaders (core)
  • Data Analysis for Decision-makers (core)
  • Leadership, Management, and Change (core)

  • Public Budgeting and Financial Management (concentration)

  • Ethics, Values, and Public Affairs (concentration)
  • Community Engagement and Participatory Design (concentration)
  • Capstone Project (core)
  • Global Challenges in Public Affairs (elective)
  • Decision and Negotiation Strategy (elective)
  • Human Resources Management (elective)