Program Description: The Master of Public Affairs degree is designed to attract students interested in leadership careers in public service. While their undergraduate training varies, many M.P.A. students are employed in public and non-profit agencies and are looking for career development.
The curriculum leading to the degree combines a core of general public and non-profit managerial courses with others in a specialization chosen according to the student's career plans. The core classes emphasize applied skills in management, budgeting, policy analysis, and quantitative methods. The program offers formal concentrations in Human Resource Management and Public Policy. Students can also use program elective credits to design their degree to fit their careers in non-profit management, public finance, criminal justice, health care, and arts management.
Admission Requirements:
- Graduate School Admission Requirements
- Program Admission Requirements
- B average in last two years of undergraduate study
- Satisfactory score in the GRE General Exam
- Up-to-date resume
- A 1-2 page essay that addresses the following question: "Why do you want to pursue and MPA and a career in public service?" In your answer, be sure to discuss how your job, educational and life experiences relate to this goal.
- Prerequisite work may be required of applicants having an inadequate background for the MPA.
Application Deadline: None
Prerequisites: None
Number of Graduate Faculty: 6
Number of Students: 43
Location of Course Offerings: Asheville
Graduate Program Director:
Dr. Roger Hartley
Stillwell Building 349
828-227-3861
rhartley@email.wcu.edu
Departmental Website: Public Affairs - M.P.A.