Master of Public Administration
The Fairfield University Master of Public Administration (MPA) program is a 36-credit program. It is designed for those working in the public and nonprofit sectors, recent college graduates, or those looking for a career change. Our MPA program provides students with the opportunity to obtain essential skills needed to address pressing public issues, including expertise in fiscal management, public policies, project administration, grant-writing, analytics and human resource management. These subjects form the core of the Fairfield MPA Program.
Fairfield’s program also requires that students complete a five-course specialization in an aspect of public administration that matches their professional goals, whether it be in nonprofit management, state and local government, emergency management or healthcare administration. The Program is completed through a three-credit seminar in public administration. Students engage in research, which is conducted under the supervision of a faculty member. Working professionals in this exciting field examine pressing social, ethical, and professional issues and develop strong leadership abilities for advancement in their chosen fields.
The Masters in Public Administration program at Fairfield University hosts the MPA Summit every spring. This forum brings citizens, students, public administrators, community leaders, and state and local officials together to participate in constructive dialogue on matters that directly affect our community. MPA students have increased access to the Summit providing a key opportunity for networking.
Fairfield's state-accredited program is ideally suited for students interested in a public administration degree. Students in this program will study current theories, trends, and issues related to the field of Public Administration and will engage in active learning, critical reflection and experiential practices that are the hallmarks of a Jesuit education. Courses emphasize theory, research, and application to advance careers in the following areas:
- National Government
- State Governments
- City Governments
- Nonprofit Organizations
- Healthcare Management
- Emergency Management
- Private Research
As a graduate student in this program, students will work closely with faculty to tailor their curriculum to their personal, professional, and academic goals. The MPA program offers flexibility for students' busy schedules and provides the highest quality graduate educational experience.
To earn the Master of Public Administration degree, students choose from a range of courses that have been designed specifically for the MPA program and may also take up to one course in allied areas.
Students, in consultation with the program director, select courses to suit their academic, personal, and career goals.
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
PUAD 5400 | Data Analysis for Public Administrators | 3 |
PUAD 5405 | Introduction to Public Administration | 3 |
PUAD 5410 | Financial Management and Budgeting | 3 |
PUAD 5415 | Human Resource Management 1 | 3 |
PUAD 5420 | Research Methods | 3 |
PUAD 5425 | Administrative Leadership and Ethics | 3 |
PUAD 6999 | Capstone Experience | 3 |
Elective Courses | ||
Select five courses from a specialization of choice, listed below | 15 | |
Total Credits | 36 |
1 | Students may substitute one of the following courses for PUAD 5415: |
Specializations
In addition to required courses offered by the MPA program, students will choose one specialization from the following areas:
City/State Management Track
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
PUAD 5435 | Grant Writing | 3 |
or DATA 6520 | Analytics Consulting and Strategy | |
PUAD 5440 | State and Local Government | 3 |
PUAD 5445 | Urban Policy | 3 |
Electives | 6 | |
Total Credits | 15 |
Emergency Management Track
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
PUAD 5435 | Grant Writing | 3 |
or DATA 6520 | Analytics Consulting and Strategy | |
PUAD 5460 | Introduction to Public Safety Administration | 3 |
PUAD 5465 | Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Recovery | 3 |
Electives | 6 | |
Total Credits | 15 |
Health Administration Track
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
NURS 7602 | Healthcare Economics and Marketing | 3 |
PUAD 5435 | Grant Writing | 3 |
or DATA 6520 | Analytics Consulting and Strategy | |
PUAD 5455 | Healthcare Management | 3 |
Electives | 6 | |
Total Credits | 15 |
Nonprofit Track
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
DATA 6520 | Analytics Consulting and Strategy | 3 |
PUAD 5430 | Economics of the Nonprofit Sector | 3 |
PUAD 5435 | Grant Writing | 3 |
Electives | 6 | |
Total Credits | 15 |
Public Administration Electives
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
PUAD 5430 | Economics of the Nonprofit Sector | 3 |
PUAD 5435 | Grant Writing | 3 |
PUAD 5440 | State and Local Government | 3 |
PUAD 5445 | Urban Policy | 3 |
PUAD 5455 | Healthcare Management | 3 |
PUAD 5460 | Introduction to Public Safety Administration | 3 |
PUAD 5465 | Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Recovery | 3 |
PUAD 5470 | American Public Policy | 3 |
HCAD 6100 | Introduction to the United States Healthcare System | 3 |
In addition to the MPA courses listed above, students may take one of the following elective courses in Communication:
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
COMM 5321 | Communication Processes in Organizations: Negotiation | 3 |
COMM 5324 | Crisis Communication | 3 |
COMM 5340 | Conflict Communication | 3 |
COMM 5343 | Ethics and Medical Marketing Communication | 3 |
COMM 5347 | Communication in Healthcare Organizations | 3 |
COMM 5348 | Health Risk Communication | 3 |
COMM 5488 | Health Risk Communication | 3 |
COMM 5502 | Small Group and Team Communication | 3 |
COMM 5524 | Negotiation and Conflict Management: Communication Approaches | 3 |
COMM 5532 | Nonprofit Media | 3 |
COMM 5547 | Healthcare Organizational Communication | 3 |