MPPA Program Description

Master of Public Policy Administration Mission Statement:
The Master of Public Policy Administration (MPPA) is an interdisciplinary program designed to prepare students for managerial and policy analysis positions in the public and nonprofit sectors or in organizations having substantial interaction with the public and nonprofit sectors. The program is a unit of the Graduate School and is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration. Core faculty are on joint appointment in public policy administration and disciplines such as economics, history, political science, sociology, or business administration. The program includes courses in policy analysis, public administration, management, budgeting, and economics in the basic curriculum. The University of Missouri-St. Louis' MPPA program differs from existing programs available in the Missouri-Illinois region in its interdisciplinary nature and emphasis on the development of analytic and administrative skills. It is designed to meet the needs of prospective full time students, as well as those who wish to earn a degree in the evening while continuing to work.

MPPA Background Information:
The University of Missouri-St. Louis Master of Public Policy Administration (MPPA) Program represents an integrated approach to serving the community. Students have the opportunity to study issues of critical importance to public policy makers and program managers with some of the leading analysts in the country.

Initiated in 1976, the Program has matured and is respected both locally and nationally. It has been accredited by the National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration (NASPAA) since 1987. Key elements of the Program include an interdisciplinary curriculum, a well-known and respected faculty, and scheduling flexibility to meet the needs of full- and part-time students. Membership in Pi Alpha Alpha, the national honor society for public administration, is available to students.

The faculty are extremely active in the field, making the real issues of public management their research focus. Faculty members publish frequently, sharing their research and expertise with the professional community.

Degree Requirements
The MPPA requires a minimum of 40 hours of graduate-level coursework. Some college credits may be transferable from other institutions of higher education.

Curriculum

The program consists of 40 credit hours of graduate work, divided into a 28-hour core and a 12-hour specialization. The core curriculum combines work in public administration and policy analysis and trains students in both qualitative and quantitative approaches to the field. Included in the 28-hour core is a 1-credit Exit Project that requires students to analyze a policy or administrative program of their choice.

Core Curriculum
All candidates for the MPPA degree must complete the 28-hour core curriculum sequence composed of the following Public Policy Administration courses:

Statistics and Applications
6010 Introduction to Policy Research
6750 Introduction to Evaluation Research Methods

Administration
6600 Organizational Behavior and Administrative Processes
6400 Proseminar in Public Policy Administration

Accounting and Budgeting
6180 Governmental Budgeting and Financial Control

Economics
6080 Micoreconomics for Policy Analysis
6210 Public Sector Microeconomics

Policy Analysis
6000 Introduction to Policy Analysis
6900 Cases in Public Policy Administration

Emphasis Areas

A 12-hour Emphasis Area meets the particular needs, interests, and career goals of each student. MPPA students may select one of five emphasis areas in which to concentrate their advanced studies:

Students may also choose an individualized emphasis area, designed in consultation with their advisor.

Resources

Libraries
The Thomas Jefferson Library is a depository for federal documents and several special collections of state and local documents. University of Missouri - St. Louis Libraries

Computing Facilities
The full facilities of University of Missouri - St. Louis Campus Computing are available to students. UM-St. Louis has five computing labs, including a lab specifically designed for MPPA and other advanced social science students. Lab assistants are available to answer computing and course-related questions. Computing labs are open on weekends and until midnight, Monday through Thursday. Student registration at UM-St. Louis includes dial-up Internet and email access.

Cooperative Programs
The department's membership in the Inter-University Consortium for Political and Social Research provides access to a wide range of survey data on local-state-national, comparative, and international politics.

Public Policy Research Center
In 1989-90, the Center for Metropolitan Studies; the James T. Bush, Sr. Center for Law, Social Change, and Conflict Resolution; Public Policy Extension/Survey and Applied Research; and The Institute for Policy Leadership merged to form the Public Policy Research Center. While each center retains its unique mission and identity, each is concerned with public policy research and the particular needs of St. Louis. The Public Policy Research Centers provide MPPA students with opportunities for involvement in applied research projects for state and local governments.

Accessibility
MPPA courses are held in the evening, starting no earlier than 5:30 p.m., to accommodate most full-time workers. UM-St. Louis is accessible by MetroLink; students with a validated ID ride free.

Financial Aid
Some graduate financial assistance is available through the MPPA Program's Faculty, Staff, and Alumni Fellowship Fund. Other financial aid, including grants, student loans, scholarships, and work-study, may be available through the UM-St. Louis Student Financial Aid Office , 278 Millennium Student Center, (314) 516-5526.

Application Information

Applications for admission to the MPPA Program are now being accepted. Individuals employed in federal, state and local government offices, public and related private agencies, as well as students at the University of Missouri-St. Louis and other institutions, are invited to apply. All applicants must meet the minimum requirements of the Graduate School for admission.

Admissions Office
351 Millennium Student Center
University of Missouri-St. Louis
8001 Natural Bridge Road
St. Louis Missouri 63121-4499
Telephone: (314) 516-5451
E-mail: gradadm@umsl.edu

International applicants to MPPA should contact the International Student Services office for more information. Their telephone number is (314) 516-5229; fax: (314) 516-5636; e-mail address: iss@umsl.edu.

The University of Missouri is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. The University TDD number is (314) 516-5212.