The Master of Public and Nonprofit Administration (M.P.N.A.) is designed to prepare leaders of government and nonprofit agencies who are committed to the public good and skilled in managing human and financial resources to serve the public interest and build and improve our communities.
The M.P.N.A. program is available in three formats: regular classroom-based courses, Web-enhanced courses in which students meet every other week in the classroom and do online work in between classes, and in a totally online format. You can choose the format you prefer, depending on your individual preferences or circumstances, including a mix of all three formats.
There are four sets of courses required to complete the M.P.N.A. degree.
- Five core courses in the M.P.N.A. program provide a solid grounding in the essential theories, processes and skills needed by managers in today's rapidly-changing environment. These courses total 18 credits and are required for all students in the program.
- Three track courses provide focused study in either public administration or nonprofit management, for a total of 12 credits.
- Six elective credits allow students to pursue their particular interests. Students may take advantage of 2-credit elective courses that are offered regularly in the M.P.N.A. program or take track courses from outside their selected track; they can also select graduate level courses from any program in the College of Management.
- The M.P.N.A. capstone course provides an opportunity for students to complete their degree program with a significant study or project that integrates learning from previous courses and life experience, creating a coherent picture of leadership and management in the public and nonprofit sectors at the community level.
As an M.P.N.A. graduate, you will be better able to:
- understand and respond to diverse community needs;
- analyze and develop effective policies and programs;
- manage and measure successful organizational performance;
- meet the ethical demands of leadership; and
- work more collaboratively across organization and sector boundaries.