The Department of Public Policy offers a graduate program leading to a Master of Public Administration (M.P.A.). The M.P.A program provides students with a dynamic and integrated approach to the field of public management. It prepares students for leadership positions in the public, nonprofit and private sectors. It is accredited by the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA). A Fast-Track to the M.P.A. program is also available to currently enrolled University of Connecticut undergraduate students; this program enables students to take graduate level courses while completing their undergraduate degree. Fast-Track students can take enough credits as an undergraduate student to complete the M.P.A. degree in one year. Up to 12 credits of approved graduate coursework included on the student’s undergraduate plan of study can also be used toward the master’s degree as part of the Fast-Track.

Master of Public Administration Requirements

The M.P.A. degree is comprised of 43 credits. These credits include 27 credits of core coursework (nine courses), nine credits of electives in a focus area (three courses), six credits of internship and a one credit capstone portfolio.

Master of Public Administration Fellows Track. The Fellows track within the M.P.A. degree program is designed specifically to develop sophisticated and conscientious managers who have the needed skills and competencies to be effective leaders. Individuals in public, nonprofit or private sector organizations with at least five years of professional experience are eligible for the Fellows program. Students earn an M.P.A. degree. The Fellows track of the M.P.A. program consists of 36 credits: eight of the nine core M.P.A. courses (24 credits), elective credits within an executive leadership focus area (11 credits), and a capstone portfolio (one credit). The M.P.A. program’s internship requirement and the required core course PP 5345 are waived for M.P.A. Fellows. M.P.A. Fellows may choose to take PP 5345 as an elective course.

Master of Public Administration Required Core Courses: PP 5325, 5331, 5340, 5345, 5361, 5364, 5365, 5370, and 5375 to total 27 credits.

Focus Area. Students complete nine credits of electives in areas that support their career goals. M.P.A. focus areas include executive leadership (Fellows track only); nonprofit management; public financial management; public policy; state and local government management; social policy; public policy, diversity, and inclusion; survey research; and urban planning. Working with their advisor, students may choose to pursue a more generalist approach and select electives across multiple areas or to create their own focus area.

Internship. Six credits of PP 5390.

Capstone. One credit of PP 5372.

The program is offered by the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.