The Master of Public Administration at St. Mary’s University is a 36-credit, 12-course program. Students study areas such as public budgeting, public policy analysis, ethics, municipal law, program evaluation, leadership, and urban planning and economic development. Core classes include Management of the Public Budget, Urban Economic Development, Public Policy and Program Evaluation, Human Resources Management, and Policy Formulation and Implementation.
The program is delivered in-person or online. Students can complete an internship at a local government agency or nonprofit group as part of the MPA, earning academic credit. Students can also use St. Mary’s Applied Public Service program by basing graduate research on their current work in public service. There is also an option to earn additional course credit through volunteer service with a Texas State Representative or Texas State Senator through the Frank Madla Jr. and Irma Rangel Legislative Internship Program.
Students can specialize in General Public Administration or Urban Management and choose a thesis or non-thesis option. The MPA also offers a thesis/non-thesis path and supports combined and joint degree options, including a five-year Combined Degree Program and a joint program with the Doctor of Jurisprudence and the Master of Public Administration.
Modules
- Management of the Public Budget
- Urban Economic Development
- Public Policy and Program Evaluation
- Human Resources Management
- Policy Formulation and Implementation
