Master of Public Administration (MPA)

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The Hamline University master of public administration (MPA) gives working professionals the practical knowledge, tools, and skills they need to manage effectively and to meet the complex fiscal and economic challenges of their sector.

The MPA is available at the Hamline University Saint Paul and Minneapolis campuses. The flexible model is offered in St. Paul and the online hybrid model is offered in Minneapolis.

All students in the MPA program are required to complete forty-eight academic credits. This includes eight required core courses, three elective courses, one final course (either Capstone Skills Development or Master’s Thesis). For some students, an internship with a government entity is also a program requirement.

NOTE: Requirements for the online hybrid MPA programs are slightly different. Students are required to take 12 set courses.

The MPA program begins with a foundations course, which provides students with a sound foundation in the history, theory, and management standards of the government sector. Other courses (required and elective) provide working professionals with a base of knowledge in a variety of subjects, each necessary to build effective management skills.

MPA Degree Requirements (48 credits and 3.0 GPA):

8 Required Core Courses (32 credits)

3 Elective courses (12 credits)

Three elective courses must be chosen from among the School of Business graduate level courses.

1 Final Course (4 credits) Choose from:

Additional Requirements

Completion of an economics course prior to taking Public Fiscal Management (GPA 8030) for students with no economics background.
An internship (GPA 8494), for students with limited public sector experience.

Course Substitution or Waiver

Student requests for substitution of a required course or courses shall be forwarded to the Program Director whose decision on the request shall be final. No more than two (2) required courses may be substituted.

If the basis for the substitution request is having already successfully completed coursework in a different program at Hamline University or another institution, the student must provide the syllabus or syllabi from the course(s) taken and an official transcript showing successful completion, unless that transcript is already a part of the student’s application file. Under no condition may the course(s) used as the basis of the substitution have been completed more than seven (7) years prior to admission to the MPA.

Waiver of a required course for reasons of extensive professional experience and expertise, documented to have occurred within the last seven (7) years, is at the sole discretion of the Program Director. No more than two (2) required courses may be waived.

In all instances of substitution or waiver of required courses, the student is required to register and successfully complete another course or courses whose total credits equal the number of credits represented by the substituted or waived required course(s).

Time Limit

Generally, it will take students 2-3 years to complete the traditional MPA program; however, 7 years is the allowed maximum.

MPA Application Requirements

Completed application form (available online at: www.hamline.edu/graduate/admission/hsb.html)
Personal statement. A one- to two-page personal statement, typewritten and double-spaced, detailing:
- why you have chosen Hamline University and
- how the degree program will help you meet your career goals
Professional résumé or curriculum vitae.
Official transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate work. If your transcripts are in a language other than English, you must submit both the original and an official or a certified course by course English translation. The Hamline University School of Business reserves the right to require applicants to have their academic records evaluated by an academic credential evaluator.
Two letters of recommendation, written by people familiar with your academic and/or professional history, detailing your specific qualifications to pursue advanced study (letters from family members are unacceptable).
Writing sample. A sample of your academic or work-related writing, typewritten, at least three pages in length, written in the last two years, and written solely by you.

Sequential Graduate Degree Completion

Sequential Graduate Degree Completion

Graduates of the MBA, MPA, or MNM programs can return within 5 years of finishing their degree to complete a sequential degree with any of the other masters programs in the School of Business. They must complete the subsequent degree within 3 years of beginning work on the sequential degree.

MNM to MPA Program Logistics* (28 credits): Students with an MNM returning to complete the MPA degree would follow the same degree completion requirements as if completing the dual degree. Review of their previous transcript will determine which 7 courses are required (6 core and 1 elective from the new field).

MBA to MPA Program Logistics* (28 credits): Students with an MBA returning to complete an MPA will take the following courses:

i. GPA 8000 Foundations of Public Administration

ii. GPA 8030 Public Fiscal Management

iii. GPA 8040 Public Policy Analysis

iv. GPA 8050 Public Sector Human Resources

v. GPA 8061 Administrative Law

vi. GPA 8070 Research Methods

vii. GPA 8490 Capstone for Government

*Above logistics are based on current program structure and are subject to change as programs are revised.