College of Sciences and Humanities
Department of Political Science
www.kent.edu/polisci/mpa

About This Program

Make a difference in your community with Kent State's Master of Public Administration degree. Our program prepares you for leadership roles in public service and equips you with the skills needed to drive positive change. Read more...

Contact Information

• Daniel E. Chand | dchand@kent.edu |
  330-672-8939

• Connect with an Admissions Counselor

Program Delivery

• Delivery:
  • Fully online

Examples of Possible Careers and Salaries*

^{* Source of occupation titles and labor data comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook. Data comprises projected percent change in employment over the next 10 years; nation-wide employment numbers; and the yearly median wage at which half of the workers in the occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less.}

For more information about graduate admissions, visit the graduate admission website. For more information on international admissions, visit the international admission website.

Admission Requirements

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university
• Minimum 2.750 undergraduate GPA on a 4.000-point scale¹
• Official transcript(s)
• Current résumé
• Goal statement
• Writing sample (single-authored paper or manuscript completed during undergraduate or graduate school that exemplifies the applicant's critical thinking skills)
• Three letters of recommendation from faculty or individuals familiar with the applicant's ability to do graduate-level work
• English language proficiency - all international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions to waive) by earning one of the following:²
  • Minimum 79 TOEFL iBT score
  • Minimum 6.5 IELTS score
  • Minimum 58 PTE score
  • Minimum 110 DET score

¹

In some cases, applicants with a GPA below 2.750 may be admitted to the program conditionally provided other supporting materials are strong.

²

International applicants who do not meet the above test scores may be considered for conditional admission.

Application Deadlines

• Fall Semester
  • Rolling admissions
• Spring Semester
  • Rolling admissions
• Summer Term
  • Rolling admissions

Program Requirements

Major Requirements

¹

Students without substantive full-time administrative experience in a public service organization ("pre-service students") must complete minimum 3 credit hours of internship; they will earn the M.P.A. degree with a total 39 credit hours. Students with substantive full-time administrative experience in a public service organization ("in-service students") may be waived from the internship requirement with the approval of the M.P.A. coordinator. Pre-service students or students wishing to gain experience in a new area will also be placed in an agency for at least 300 hours of experience.

²

Elective coursework outside of the program may be selective based upon the student’s needs and advisor approval.

Graduation Requirements

• No more than one-half of a graduate student’s coursework may be taken in 50000-level courses.
• Grades below C are not counted toward completion of requirements for the degree.

Roadmap

This roadmap is a recommended semester-by-semester plan of study for this program. Students will work with their advisor to develop a sequence based on their academic goals and history. Courses designated as critical (!) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

1. Demonstrate ability to lead and manage in public governance.
2. Participate in and contribute to the policy process.
3. Analyze, synthesize, think critically, solve problems and make decisions.
4. Articulate and apply a public service perspective.
5. Communicate and interact productively with a diverse and changing workforce and citizenry.

Dual Degree with M.P.H. in Health Policy and Management

Students have the opportunity to complete a dual degree program with the M.P.A. degree in Public Administration and the M.P.H. degree in Health Policy and Management. A separate application must be submitted for each program. Students can view admission requirements for each program on their respective catalog page.

The M.P.A./M.P.H. Health Policy and Management dual degree program prepares students to work at the intersection of public administrative policy and healthcare policy. The integrated curriculum is designed to help students develop real-world knowledge and skills needed to pursue successful careers in this complex landscape.

Dual Degree Requirements

¹

Students without substantive full-time administrative experience in a public service organization ("pre-service students") must complete minimum 3 credit hours of PADM 60392; they will earn the dual degree with 69 total credit hours. Students with substantive full-time administrative experience in a public service organization ("in-service students") may have PADM 60392 waived with the approval of the M.P.A. coordinator. Pre-service students or students wishing to gain experience in a new area will also be placed in an agency for at least 300 hours of experience. Students who are deemed eligible to have PADM 60392 waived may graduate with fewer than 69 credit hours, but no fewer than 66 total credit hours.

²

It is expected that students enrolled in HPM 60392 who do not complete the course in one term will continuously register for HPM 60492 each semester, until all requirements have been met. Credit hours for HPM 60492 do not apply toward the minimum total credit hours for the dual degree.

Full Description

The Master of Public Administration degree in Public Administration is designed for students wishing to become policy analysts, managers and executives within public and nonprofit organizations. The curriculum provides students with a broad foundation in public and nonprofit management, including the scope and history of public administration, administrative theory, ethical behavior in public management, public financial management, program evaluation, methods, personnel management and information technology management.

The M.P.A. degree can be completed in two years by taking two courses each term, including summers. Courses are offered in an asynchronous online format in back-to-back seven-week sessions. Courses utilize a mix of web-based instruction supported by audio and video technologies direct to the respective student's home.