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| Montana Hall in winter. |
Program Description
The Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree at Montana State provides an education that enhances the professional competence of mid-career persons and prepares pre-career students for entry level positions in the public, non-profit and private work sectors.
MSU's program in public administration provides a unique opportunity to pursue a course of study in a small group environment where students receive individual attention. Typical class size varies from 8-16 students.
The MPA curriculum offers professional education in the areas of research methodology, program evaluation and policy analysis, organizational management, public budgeting and finance, human resource management, administrative law, and local government administration with particular attention given to the normative and ethical aspects of public administration. The MPA degree from Montana State University assures a strong and broad knowledge base in administrative management and our graduates hold responsible positions in state, local, and federal government agencies as well as with nonprofit service providers. A number of MPA students have gone on for law and doctoral degrees, and over the years more than a dozen have been placed in the prestigious Presidential Management Internship program.
In addition to the MPA program, the Political Science Department houses the Local Government Center. The mission of the Local Government Center is to strengthen the capacities of Montana's local governmental units to deliver essential services efficiently and to produce training, technical assistance, and research to local officials. The Local Government Center provides a unique set of opportunities for those students who wish to pursue a public service career in local government. In addition to instruction, the center provides research opportunities for MPA students.
Program Objectives
The curriculum is designed to provide a balance between conceptual knowledge of public administration and the acquisition of management and technical skills. The intended outcome of the MPA program is a skilled administrator who:
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demonstrates awareness and knowledge of the political context of work in the public service,
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understands and appreciates the theoretical foundations of public administration,
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displays practical knowledge of all facets of public sector work,
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exhibits technical competence, and
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conducts oneself ethically, recognizing the broad responsibility toward serving the public interest in contrast to a more narrowly defined self-interest.
