Academics
Graduate Programs
Graduate Programs
Public Administration in Public and Nonprofit Management, M.P.A.
About the Program
The importance of public administration education is widely recognized and is reflected in numerous Master of Public Administration programs around the country. Most urbanized areas are well served by such programs.
It has long been recognized that government and not-for-profit managers need specialized training in public administration. This is particularly true of Western New York where the State of New York is now the largest single employer and a sizable voluntary and non-profit sector exists. This MPA program provides students with an advanced course of study at the graduate level concentrating on the conceptual, technical, and professional education and skills required for administrative and leadership positions in governmental offices and nonprofit organizations. Special emphasis on research and data analysis skills needed in the modern management of the public and non-profit sectors. This training is provided in PAD 689 and PAD 699, with PAD 690, Master's Project, a capstone project in which students employ their research and data analysis skills.
Curriculum
The program, totaling 36 credit hours, includes five required core courses (18 credit hours), two tracks sharing the common core (15 credit hours each), one in Public Administration and one in Nonprofit Administration, and 3 credit hours of the MPA project (PAD 690).
Unique Characteristics
The program blends three essential components of training to prepare graduates for a career in the public or non-profit sector:
1. training in politics and government
2. professional or craft knowledge of the field, and
3. exposure of students to the world of practice by means of an MPA project.
About the Political Science Department
B218 Classroom Building
1300 Elmwood Ave
Buffalo, NY 14222
Phone: (716) 878-6116
Fax: (716) 878-3369
www.buffalostate.edu/politicalscience/
Contact Faculty and Staff in the Political Science Department
Admission Requirements
1. A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (4.0 scale), or a master’s degree from an accredited institution with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (4.0 scale).
2. A social science methods/analysis course earning a B or above is required. See PSC 203 Political Analysis course description for an example of a social science methods course.
3. A letter of intent.
4. Two letters of reference. For recent graduates (within the past five years), at least one letter should be from an individual (usually a college professor) who can speak to the applicant's ability to perform graduate-level work.
Applicants who hold a bachelor’s degree but do not meet either of the above criteria may be considered for admission if they attain a minimum combined quantitative/verbal score of 1000 on the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) or complete 6 credit hours of 500-level coursework at the college as an accepted pre-major student with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5.
The MPA Screening Committee will review the application package and may schedule an interview for the candidate, if necessary.
Program Requirements
The core program combines the theory and practice of public administration, public finance, management, quantitative and qualitative research, and a thorough grounding in American government and politics. The Public Administration Track with courses in administrative law, comparative public administration, and other topical courses are designed to prepare students for a career in public service, while the Nonprofit Administration Track prepares students to effectively plan, develop, manage, evaluate and lead nonprofit programs. Both tracks include a capstone Master’s Project (PAD 690).
The program, totaling 36 credit hours includes five required core courses (18credit hours), either of two tracks sharing the common core (15 credit hours each), one in Public Administration and one in Nonprofit Administration, and 3 credit hours of project or practicum.
I. CORE: 18 Credit hours (6 courses-sections offered each fall and spring semester)
PAD/PSC 500 Public Administration and Policy
PAD 601 Public Budgeting
PAD 735 Management Practices in Public and Nonprofit Sectors
PAD 689 Research Methods in Public Administration
PSC 607 American Government & Politics
PAD 699 Data Analysis & Presentation
II. TRACKS: 2 Different Tracks
Students select either of the two tracks
Public Administration Track (15 credit hours, 5 courses by advisement)
PAD 501 Comparative Public Administration
PLN 560 Environmental Impact Assessment
EDF/PAD 712 Managing Program Evaluation
BUS/COM 519 Communication for Leaders and Managers
BUS/EDF/SWK 603 Human Resource Management
PAD 502 Administrative Law
PAD/PSC 587 Special Topics
Nonprofit Administration Track (15 credit hours, 5 courses by advisement)
SWK/PAD 645 Program Planning in the Human Services
BUS/EDF/SWK 603 Human Resource Management
SWK/PAD 643 Supervision in the Human Services
BUS/COM 519 Communication for Leaders and Managers
EDF/PAD 712 Managing Program Evaluation
BUS/EDF 688 Leadership in Organizations
PAD/PSC 587 Special Topics
III. MASTER’S PROJECT: (3 Credit hours)
PAD 690 Master’s Project (by advisement)
(PAD 699 is a prerequisite or permission of instructor)
The MPA Project Supervisor is assigned in PAD 699.
Scheduling of Classes
Scheduling is flexible to meet the needs of working professionals. Courses are offered via three formats: in-class after 4:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday and occasionally on weekends; hybrid (combination of in-class and on-line via Buffalo State’s ANGEL course management system); and web-based (no class meetings) via Buffalo State’s ANGEL course management system. No more than twelve of the 36 credit hours will be taken via the web-based format. The vast majority of our courses are offered during the fall and spring semesters, while on occasion courses are available in summer and J-Term session, students are expected to enroll in 15-week courses during the academic year.
