School of Public Affairs and Administration

School of Public Affairs and Administration
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo MI 49008-5440 USA
(269) 387-8932

Master of Public Administration Coursework

Core program (15 credit hours)

Students in the M.P.A. program at the School of Public Affairs and Administration at Western Michigan University complete each of the following five courses:

  • PADM 6000-Fundamentals and Ethics of Public Service (Credits: 3 hours)
  • PADM 6010-Economic Principles of Public Service (Credits: 3 hours)
  • PADM 6020-Public Policy and Politics (Credits: 3 hours)
  • PADM 6060-Applied Research Methods (Credits: 3 hours)
  • PADM 6070-Quantitative Data Analysis I (Credits: 3 hours)

Area of Emphasis (18 credit hours)

In addition to the Core Program each MPA student will work with an MPA advisor to develop a personalized Area of Emphasis. For example, a student may focus on non-profit leadership, public policy, public management (local, state, or national), local/regional development, tribal governance, human resources, and so forth. Much of this advising may happen while taking PADM 6001. 

A typical area of emphasis would include a management course, a human resources or leadership course, and a budgeting or finance course, such as:

Management (3 hours)

  • PADM 6100-Public Service Management (Credits: 3 hours)
  • PADM 6400-Managing Nonprofit Organization (Credits: 3 hours)

Human Resources/Leadership (3 hours)

  • PADM 5270-Human Resources Administration (Credits: 3 hours)
  • PADM 6290-Leadership and Supervision (Credits: 3 hours)

Budgeting/Finance (3 hours)

  • PADM 5120-Public Budgeting and Accounting (Credits: 3 hours)
  • PADM 5420-Nonprofit Accounting and Finance (Credits: 3 hours)

This would ensure exposure to key administrative functions while retaining an additional 9 credit hours to develop even more depth in the student’s chosen area of emphasis. The Graduate Catalog listing of PADM courses is a great place to explore possible areas of interest, and faculty advisors are available to discuss how this program can help students advance in their chosen careers. 

Capstone Portfolio (3 credit hours)

The following two course-sequence of the Capstone Portfolio is required of each MPA student regardless of their area of emphasis.

  • PADM 6001-Capstone Portfolio I (Credits: 1 hour)
  • PADM 6800-Capstone Portfolio II (Credits: 2 hours)

Note: This requirement is focused on integrating the theory and pragmatic considerations studied during the MPA program to show how competency has been developed throughout the program. Enrollment in PADM 6001, usually in the first semester of the program, allows students to fully understand the nature of the portfolio requirement and develop an appropriate program plan for completing the MPA degree. Enrollment in PADM 6800, usually in the last semester of the program, provides an opportunity to develop a summative portfolio that documents mastery of the required competencies.

Professional Field Experience (3 credit hours)

For pre-career students (status determined upon admission), the fourth major component of the MPA is a planned professional field experience, or internship, equivalent to three credit hours (minimum 300 contact hours). The goal of the internship is to provide candidates with work experience, which will afford realistic exposure to professional administration and to the organizational and bureaucratic environment of a public-serving agency. This requirement is usually met after at least half of the MPA coursework has been completed.

NOTE: STUDENTS WHO STARTED THE M.P.A. PRIOR TO FALL 2024 SHOULD CONSULT THE APPROPRIATE ARCHIVED GRADUATE CATALOG AND AN ADVISOR TO DETERMINE THEIR M.P.A. REQUIREMENTS.