The MPA degree is awarded on completion of 36 semester hours, consisting of 21 hours of required core courses, nine to 15 hours in a selected emphasis area and up to six hours of electives. An internship is recommended for any student without substantial prior work experience in public, nonprofit or health administration. Individual courses may be waived if a student presents evidence of adequate undergraduate study, but other courses for graduate credit must be substituted to meet the minimum of 36 hours.
Core Courses (21 credit hours)
The MPA core curriculum consists of 21 credit hours. These classes are required for each student.
- PA 5510 Research Methods in Public Administration
- PA 5526 The Politics of Administration
- PA 5548 Leadership for Public Service
- MGT 5513 Economic Policy and Managerial Control -or-
- FIN 5501 Economics for Administration
- PA 5525 Financial Accountability and Policy Development
- PA 5544 Public Policy Evaluation and Analysis
- PA 5530 Capstone Seminar in Public Management
Students selecting the Health Services Administration emphasis have the following core requirements:
- PA 5150 Research Methods in Public Administration
- PA 5526 The Politics of Administration
- PA 5548 Leadership for Public Service
- PA 5530 Capstone Seminar in Public Management
- HA 5578 The Evaluation and Control of Health Services
- HA 5571 Management Issues: Health & Human Services Organizations
- HA 5585 Seminar in Health Services Administration: Economics of Health and Medicine
Emphasis Areas
To focus your education and develop your expertise in specific areas for your career, the Bloch School’s MPA program offers three emphasis areas. Please click on your choice for detailed information.
Elective Courses (Up to 6 credit hours)
Elective courses may be selected from PA courses including the student's chosen emphasis area. They may also be selected from political science, economics, psychology, sociology, or other graduate fields with approval of the faculty advisor.
Independent Study
MPA students are limited to a total of six (6) hours of independent study, of which three (3) hours can be an internship. Specific emphasis areas may have slightly different requirements, which override the general policy. If applicable, they are listed under the relevant emphasis area.
Transfer Credit
A maximum of six (6) credit hours of graduate coursework completed with distinction at an accredited graduate school and relevant to the individual’s degree program may be accepted toward the MPA. You must provide official transcripts to UMKC for this purpose. All transfer credit is approved by your advisor during your first semester.
