The Master of Public Administration (MPA) program at Savannah State University prepares its graduates to work effectively
as managers and leaders in a variety of organizational settings. The program is an ideal choice for non-traditional managers
in our region, while offering traditional managers opportunities to learn in a multicultural environment.
The MPA program seeks to:
- Prepare public managers to assume management and leadership positions in a variety of organizational set in Coastal Georgia and beyond;
- Advance the knowledge base in the field of public administration through scholarly research and publications and;
Serve the professional and community by using our expertise and intellectual resources to address needs in our service areas.
Curriculum
Students are required to successfully complete a minimum of 36 semester credit hours, 21 of which are in the common core, 9-12 hours of electives and 3-6 in an internship, an oral exit exam and a major paper that must be defended during the oral exam. The length of time required to complete the program will vary. Classes generally meet in the evenings and on weekends.
In selecting electives, students may choose courses based on a chosen concentration in one of four areas: General Public Administration, Health Care Administration, Human Resources Management, or Public Policy.
Admission Requirements
MPA program applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution and show promise of high quality work on the graduate level. Only completed applications are reviewed by the Admissions Committee. Completed admission applications are evaluated according to the following criteria:
- Minimum 2.5 cumulative grade point average
- Graduate Record Exam (GRE), Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT), Miller Analogies Test (MAT) or Law School Admission Test (LSAT) scores
- Three professional recommendation letters
- Essay (500-1,000 words) detailing reasons for pursuing the MPA degree
- SSU Graduate Program Application
- Two official transcripts from each college/university attended (undergraduate and graduate)
- A one-page resume that highlights work experience, professional/personal accomplishments, et
- An in-person interview (when determined by admissions committee)
While there is no specific undergraduate course of study for admission, students must meet the prerequisites for courses in American National Government and Statistics.
The program has two admissions categories: regular and provisional. To be granted regular admission status, a student must average a minimum of 90 points on the applicant evaluation form as scored by the Admissions Committee. Applicants who score under 90 on the admissions formula may be granted provisional status.
An in-person interview is scheduled when determined by the Admissions Committee.
Master of Public Administration
Department of Political Science, Public Administration and Urban Studies
Savannah State University
P.O Box 20385
Savannah, GA 31404
912.356.2966
GoMPA!@savstate.edu
Master of Public Administration Curriculum
The Master of Public Administration degree requires the completion of 36 semester hours of graduate course work, the equivalent of two years as a full-time student. Course work is organized into the following curriculum components:
- Prerequisites: 6 credit hours
- Core curriculum: 21 credit hours
- Concentrations: 9-12 credit hours
- Public Service Internship, Major Paper, and Oral Comprehensive Exam
Prerequisites:
Undergraduate course in statistics
Undergraduate or graduate course in American National Government
Undergraduate Computer Applications course is highly recommended
Core Curriculum
PADM 6830 History, Scope, and Practice of Public Administration
PADM 6832 Organizational Theory and Behavior
PADM 6833 Management of Human Resources in the Public Sector
PADM 6834 Public Budgeting and Finance
PADM 6836 State and Local Government Administration or
PADM 6837 Intergovernmental Relations
PADM 6839 Statistical Applications for Public Administrators
PADM 6840 Research Methods in Public Administration
Human Resources Development Concentration
PADM 6846 Administrative Law
PADM 6858 Seminar in Cultural Diversity
PADM 6863 Collective Bargaining in the Public Sector
PADM 6870 Rights & Basic Needs of Public Sector Employees
PADM 6871 Organization Behavior
PADM 6872 Human Resources Training & Development
PADM 6838 Introduction to Public Policy
PADM 6844 Seminar in Public Policy Analysis
PADM 6845 Urban Policy & Administration
PADM 6851 Social Welfare Policy, Planning, & Administration
PADM 6861 Public Program Evaluation
PADM 6862 Public Policy Implementation
PADM 6864 Public Policy Formation
PADM 6865 Special Topics in Public Policy
Health Service Administration
HSCA 7620 Health Care Administration
HSCA 7665 Health Care Strategic Marketing & Planning
HSCA 8630 Health Care Financial Management
HSCA 8615 Legal & Ethical Environment of Health Care
HSCA 8700 Public Health Planning & Evaluation
Public Service Internship, Major Paper, and Oral Comprehensive Exam:
PADM 6853 Pre-Service Internship
PADM 6854 Major Paper
PADM Comprehensive Exam Review Seminar
PADM 6880 Management of Agencies
PADM 6882 Managing Resources in the Nonprofit Sector
PADM 6884 Resources Development and Capacity Building for Nonprofit
Oral Exit Comprehensive Exam
Application Deadlines:
Fall:
May 15 - International Students & Graduate Assistantships
July 1 - Regular Admissions
Spring:
October 1 - International Students & Graduate Assistantships
November 17 - Regular Admissions
