College of Business and Public Administration

Master of Public Administration (M.P.A.)

Program Options

M.P.A. On-Campus Program

M.P.A. Online Program

Department web site

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Program Overview

On-Campus Program

To successfully lead a public or non-profit organization in today’s environment, administrators must develop superior executive, public policy, and resource management expertise. The Master of Public Administration (M.P.A.) program strives to meet these challenges. Students customize this program by selecting an area of specialization to develop skills best suited to their academic and career goals. The M.P.A. is backed by Drake University’s full resources and reputation.

Online Program

The online M.P.A. program prepares students to navigate the evolving landscape of public administration with the tools to strategically solve problems, analyze policies, and meet public service needs at the local, state, and federal level, as well as in the private and nonprofit sectors.  Drawing on the expertise of the College of Business and Public Administration’s renowned faculty, the Drake MPA curriculum is enriched by experiential learning, team collaboration, and real-world scenarios.

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On-Campus Program Requirements

• Number of credit hours required: Thirty-six hours of credit are required for completion.
• Required courses

Course	Credits
M.P.A. Core Curriculum	21
MPA 215 - Changing Environment & Management of Public & Nonprofit Organizations	3
MPA 216 - Managing Human Resources as Assets	3
MPA 217 - Applying Information, Research & Analysis in Nonprofit and Public Environments	3
MPA 220 - Public Budget & Financial Management	3
MPA 221 - Public Organizations & Leadership	3
MPA 226 - Public Policy Decision-Making Analysis	3
MPA 260 - Applying Innovative Solutions to Current Problems	3
M.P.A. Emphasis Area - Select four courses from a group of elective courses designed to focus on an area of specialization.  Each student also must complete one advisor-approved elective, which can be an approved course from any of the emphasis areas.  The emphasis areas include
Executive Leadership and Collaborative Governance
Health Care Management
Information Technology Management
Nonprofit Management
Public Service and Social Policy
Individualized

 

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Admission to On-Campus Program

Master of Public Administration applicants must meet the following admission requirements.

• Graduate Admission Application. Applications may be completed online.

• Application Fee of $50. Applicants who have previously paid the fee are not required to do so again.

• Official transcripts for ALL undergraduate and graduate coursework from EVERY institution attended (even if a degree was not earned).

• Current professional resume.

• Submission of two letters of recommendation.

• Grade Point Average Criteria: Successful candidates for admission typically have the following minimum graduate point average. Students who do not meet these G.P.A. minimums may contact the Graduate Programs Office of the College of Business and Public Administration for additional information.
• Undergraduate G.P.A. = 3.00 (upper division and cumulative), and
• Graduate G.P.A. = 3.00 (cumulative)

• TOEFL exam: International candidates must submit TOEFL results. Minimum acceptable TOEFL score is 213 on the computer-based examination, 550 on the paper-based examination, or 79-80 on the internet-based test.

• Application deadlines: To be eligible for consideration, applications must be received by the following deadlines.
• Fall admission - July 15
• Spring admission - December 1
• Summer admission - April 15

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Online Program Requirements

Adaptable in its design, students can tailor the degree program to align with their specific goals through career-focused curriculum in areas such as:

Executive Leadership Development – Develop management skills and learn to lead with confidence through a series of rigorous courses focusing on leadership, negotiation, and conflict resolution.

Healthcare Management – Gain an understanding of the evolving healthcare landscape through the completion of coursework consisting of healthcare administration, healthcare policy, ethics, law and advocacy and conflict resolution.

Individualized – Combine elective courses from Drake’s Master of Public Administration, Master of Business Administration, and Master of Communication programs to tailor an emphasis that meets your specific needs and career goals.

Course	Credits
M.P.A. Core Curriculum	21
MPA 215 - Changing Environment & Management of Public & Nonprofit Organizations	3
MPA 216 - Managing Human Resources as Assets	3
MPA 217 - Applying Information, Research & Analysis in Nonprofit and Public Environments	3
MPA 220 - Public Budget & Financial Management	3
MPA 221 - Public Organizations & Leadership	3
MPA 226 - Public Policy Decision-Making Analysis	3
MPA 260 - Applying Innovative Solutions to Current Problems	3
M.P.A. Emphasis Area - Select 15 credits from a group of elective courses from one of the areas of emphasis below	15
Executive Leadership Development
BUS 212 - Executive Leadership	3
BUS 283 - Negotiation & Conflict Resolution	3
Health Care Management
BUS 283 - Negotiation & Conflict Resolution	3
HLTH 261 - Healthcare Policy	3
HLTH 263 - Healthcare Administration	3
HLTH 264 - Beyond Ethics: Policy & Healthcare, or HLTH 266 - Healthcare Regulation, Law, and Advocacy	3
PADM 281 - Program Performance, Evaluation, and Management	3
Individualized

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Admission to Online Program

To apply for admission to Drake’s fully online Master of Public Administration program:

• Complete the online application.
• Submit your official transcripts from all previously attended colleges or universities. Official transcripts are prepared and sent by the institution in question and received by Drake University in a sealed envelope. Transcripts mailed directly to the student must remain in the sealed envelope to be considered.

Mail transcripts to: 

Drake University
C/O Wiley Education Services
851 Trafalgar Court
Suite 420 West
Maitland, FL 32751

Or email:

drakeonlinetranscripts@drake.edu

• Submit an electronic copy of your résumé or curriculum vitae.
• Submit a typed, one-page essay detailing how a graduate education at Drake University will help you reach your academic and professional goals.
• Submit contact information for two professional recommendations.

International Students
If a student earned her/his undergraduate degree outside of the United States, the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is required. Scores dated within the last two years are acceptable and must be reported directly from the testing agency. Minimum acceptable TOEFL score is 213 on the computer-based exam, 550 on the paper-based exam, or 79-80 on the Internet-based exam. Minimum acceptable IELTS score is 6.5. Minimum scores on each section of reading, writing, speaking and listening may be required.

Transfer Credits
Students may transfer up to 12 credit hours from another accredited graduate program. All transfer credits must be earned with a grade of B- or higher, must directly relate to the program of study, and must fall within the 5-year time frame for program completion. Transfer credits will be applied to the degree program upon successful completion of at least one term of enrollment in the program.

Non-Degree Admission
The Pre-MPA program is for students looking to take classes for personal enrichment or to meet pre-acceptance requirements for entry into Drake’s Master of Public Administration degree program.

Students interested in applying for the Pre-MPA must submit the following:

• Complete the Graduate Pre-Admission Application.
• Submit electronic copy of your résumé.
• Submit unofficial transcripts from all previously attended colleges or universities.

Mail transcripts to: 

Drake University
C/O Wiley Education Services
851 Trafalgar Court
Suite 420 West
Maitland, FL 32751

Or email:

drakeonlinetranscripts@drake.edu

Pre-MPA students are allowed to complete the following MPA core courses:

• MPA 215: Changing Environment & Management of Public & Nonprofit Organizations
• MPA 226: Public Policy Decision Making & Analysis
• MPA 221: Public Organizations & Leadership

Once admitted into Drake’s Master of Public Administration program, all successfully completed Pre-MPA courses will transfer.