The core program combines the theory and practice of public administration, public finance, human resource management, quantitative and qualitative research, and a thorough grounding in intergovernmental relations. The program offers three tracks: Public Administration (government), Nonprofit Management, and International Public Management.
Tracks
Public Administration
The Public Administration Track includes courses in administrative law, comparative public administration, public policy, and other topical courses designed to prepare students for a career in public service.
Nonprofit Administration
The Nonprofit Administration Track prepares students to effectively plan, develop, manage, evaluate and lead nonprofit programs.
International Public Management
The International Public Management Track is designed to prepare student for careers with international non-governmental organizations, international organizations, and government agencies working in the international arena.
Curriculum
| MPA Requirements |
Credits |
| Core Courses |
21 |
| Track Courses |
12 |
| Master’s Project |
3 |
| Total Credit Hours for Program Completion |
36 |
| Core Courses | ||
|
Course |
Title |
Credits |
| PAD 500 | Public Administration and Policy |
3 |
| PAD 601 | Public Budgeting |
3 |
| PAD 640 | Human Resource Management for Public and Nonprofit Organizations |
3 |
| PAD 646 | Strategic Planning for Public and Nonprofit Organizations |
3 |
| PAD 680 | Research Methods in Public Administration |
3 |
| PAD 681 | Data Analysis and Presentation |
3 |
| PAD 735 | Public Organizations |
3 |
| Total Credit Hours for Core Courses |
21 |
|
| Select one of the following tracks | |
| Public Administration Track | |
| Nonprofit Management Track | |
| International Public Management Track | |
| Total Credit Hours for Track Courses |
12 |
| Required Master’s Project | ||
|
Course |
Title |
Credits |
| PAD 690 | Master’s Project (by advisement) |
3 |
*Buffalo State University's MPA Program is a member of NASPAA and seeking NASPAA accreditation. Thus, our core curriculum is designed to meet NASPAA's Standard 5.1 Universal Required Competencies. Courses in the core may not be substituted for any other courses without the express permission of the MPA Program Coordinator.
Tracks (Select One)
| Public Administration Track | ||
|
Course |
Title |
Credits |
|
Select one of the following courses |
||
| PAD/ECO 515 | NYS Government and Budget |
3 |
|
or |
||
| PAD 607 | City and County Management |
3 |
|
or |
||
| PAD 608 | Intergovernmental Relations |
3 |
|
Select three of the following courses |
||
| PAD 501 | Comparative Public Administration |
3 |
| PAD 502 | Administrative Law |
3 |
| PAD 505 | Introduction to Disaster and Emergency Management |
3 |
| PAD 540 | US Public Policy |
3 |
| PAD 587 | Topics Course (1-4) |
3 |
| PAD 588 | Graduate Internship (1-6) |
3 |
| PAD 590 | Independent Study (1-3) |
3 |
| PAD 606 | Disaster Response and Recovery Management |
3 |
| PAD 609 | Disaster and Emergency Management Planning |
3 |
| PAD 688 | Leadership in Public and Nonprofit Organizations |
3 |
| PAD 700 | Immigration and Refugee Policy |
3 |
| PAD 701 | Administrative Ethics |
3 |
| PAD 704 | Human Rights and Humanitarian Policy |
3 |
| PAD 712 | Managing Program Evaluation |
3 |
| PAD 715 | Survey Methods and Design |
3 |
| Total Credit Hours Required in Track |
12 |
|
| Nonprofit Management Track | ||
|
Course |
Title |
Credits |
|
Required Course |
||
| PAD 604 | Nonprofit Management and Governance |
3 |
|
Select three of the following courses |
||
| PAD/ECO 515 | NYS Government and Budget |
3 |
| PAD 505 | Introduction to Disaster and Emergency Management |
3 |
| PAD 540 | US Public Policy |
3 |
| PAD 587 | Topics Course (1-4) |
3 |
| PAD 588 | Graduate Internship (1-6) |
3 |
| PAD 590 | Independent Study (1-3) |
3 |
| PAD 603 | NGO Management & International Development |
3 |
| PAD 606 | Disaster Response and Recovery Management |
3 |
| PAD 609 | Disaster and Emergency Management Planning |
3 |
| PAD 647 | The Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector |
3 |
| PAD 648 | Nonprofit Grants Management and Fund Development |
3 |
| PAD 688 | Leadership in Public and Nonprofit Organizations |
3 |
| PAD 701 | Administrative Ethics |
3 |
| PAD 712 | Managing Program Evaluation |
3 |
| PAD 715 | Survey Methods and Design |
3 |
| Total Credit Hours Required in Track |
12 |
|
| International Public Management Track | ||
|
Course |
Title |
Credits |
|
Required Course |
||
| PAD 605 | International Public Management and Service |
3 |
|
Select three of the following courses |
||
| PAD 501 | Comparative Public Administration |
3 |
| PAD 505 | Introduction to Disaster and Emergency Management |
3 |
| PAD 587 | Topics Course (1-4) |
3 |
| PAD 588 | Graduate Internship (1-6) |
3 |
| PAD 590 | Independent Study (1-3) |
3 |
| PAD 603 | NGO Management & International Development |
3 |
| PAD 606 | Disaster Response and Recovery Management |
3 |
| PAD 609 | Disaster and Emergency Management Planning |
3 |
| PAD 700 | Immigration and Refugee Policy |
3 |
| PAD 704 | Human Rights and Humanitarian Policy |
3 |
| PAD 712 | Managing Program Evaluation |
3 |
| PAD 715 | Survey Methods and Design |
3 |
| Total Credit Hours Required in Track |
12 |
|
Program DataBook
For more information on the MPA Program
- admissions,
- enrollment & demographics,
- outcomes, and
- faculty
download our most recent DataBook.