Master of Public Administration

The Master of Public Administration in the School of Public Affairs and Administration at Western Michigan University is a nationally ranked, Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs and Administration (NASPAA) accredited program that provides a foundation in the principles of administration, addresses the practical responsibilities of managers and leaders, and reflects on the task of programmatic and policy analyses. Experienced full- and part-time faculty of the program balance academic rigor and professional practice in curriculum design and delivery. The program accommodates the needs of pre- and in-career, domestic and international students in career, professional development and course sequencing. Students have a choice of five concentrations: health care, human resources, nonprofit, public management and public policy. The School has a history of offering innovative programs as a way to lead and manage change in the public and nonprofit sectors.

This program is offered in-person, online, or in combination.

MPA program Highlights brochure

MPA program Detailed brochure

Program components

The M.P.A. program requires 39 credit hours divided into the following components: (Note: This applies to students starting in and after fall 2020. The requirements for earlier years are found on the 2019-20 graduate catalog.)

M.P.A. core program (15 credit hours)
Area of concentration (12 credit hours)
Capstone portfolio (3 credit hours)
Elective stream (6 credit hours)

Internship (required for pre-career students): three credit hours

The curriculum assumes that candidates already have basic computer literacy and a working knowledge of the American political processes at local, state and national levels.

Portfolio Guidelines

The faculty-approved guidelines help to guide students in tracking their development throughout the MPA program and documenting their competency in the final Capstone Portfolio.