Master of Public Administration

The Fairfield University Master of Public Administration (MPA) program is designed for those working in the public and nonprofit sectors, recent college graduates, or those looking for a career change. Working professionals in this exciting field examine pressing social, ethical, and professional issues and develop strong leadership abilities for advancement in their chosen fields.

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:

State Governments
City Governments
Nonprofit Organizations
Healthcare 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 two courses in allied areas.

Students, in consultation with the program director, select courses to suit their academic, personal, and career goals.

Course List
Code	Title	Credits
PUAD 5405	Introduction to Public Administration	3
PUAD 5420	Research Methods	3
PUAD 5410	Financial Management and Budgeting	3
PUAD 5415	Human Resource Management ¹	3
PUAD 5425	Leadership	3
PUAD 6980	Internship	6
PUAD 6999	Capstone Experience	3
Applied Ethics Requirement
COMM 5402	Ethics and Communication	3
or Select one course in Applied Ethics
Communication Requirement
COMM 5524	Negotiation and Conflict Management: Communication Approaches	3
COMM 5540	Intercultural Communication	3
or Select another approved course in Communication
Elective Courses
Select three courses from a concentration of choice, listed below		9
Total Credits		42

Students may substitute one of the following courses for PUAD 5415:

MGMT 6507 Negotiations and Dispute Resolution
MGMT 6560 Career Planning and Development

Electives

In addition to courses offered by the MPA program, students may also choose from the following, with approval by their advisor and the offering department:

Course List
Code	Title	Credits
COMM 5402	Ethics and Communication	3
MGMT 6503	Legal and Ethical Environment of Business	3

City/State Management Track

Course List
Code	Title	Credits
Select three courses from the following:		9
COMM 5524	Negotiation and Conflict Management: Communication Approaches
ISOM 6520	Project Management
PUAD 5435	Grant Writing
PUAD 5440	State and Local Government
Total Credits		9

Health Administration Track

Students completing the Healthcare Management Track will take only one additional course in Graduate Communication to complete their 36-credit degree requirement.

Course List
Code	Title	Credits
NURS 6521	Healthcare Leadership Roles for Systems Improvement	3
NURS 7602	Healthcare Economics and Marketing	3
Select one course from the following:		3
COMM 5547	Healthcare Organizational Communication
COMM 5548	Health Communication
ISOM 6520	Project Management
PUAD 5435	Grant Writing
Total Credits		9

Nonprofit Track

Course List
Code	Title	Credits
ISOM 6520	Project Management	3
PUAD 5430	Economics of the Nonprofit Sector	3
PUAD 5435	Grant Writing	3
Total Credits		9

Emergency Management Track

Course List
Code	Title	Credits
PUAD 5405	Introduction to Public Administration	3
PUAD 5435	Grant Writing	3
or ISOM 6520	Project Management
Total Credits		6