Public Administration, M.P.A.

Program Overview

The MPA is the key professional degree for those committed to public service as managers, administrators, and analysts in the public and nonprofit sectors, as well as in government-facing private sector roles such as governmental relations or public affairs. The TSU MPA program is offered fully online, part-time, and primarily asynchronously - all to provide the flexibility desired by working students. To lead effectively, public service professionals must be able to analyze government-, organization-, and policy-related problems and recommend appropriate courses of action. The curriculum focuses on key skills and knowledge to prepare our students for those roles, including public policy analysis, organization theory, personnel management, budgeting, effective use of data for decision making, and more as shown in our program of study below. 

MPA Program Mission

• Our MPA program prepares public and nonprofit managers and leaders to meet societal needs. We recognize the goals of our students working in, or preparing for, public service by emphasizing flexibility and quality in an online teaching and learning environment. As scholars, we engage in research and service to the University, community, and profession in Middle Tennessee and beyond; these activities enhance our ability to develop students as professionals. 
   
  We teach the core concepts of public administration with a focus on real-world issues, analytical problem-solving, and management skills. Students may build specialized skills in public policy, leadership, nonprofit management, or local government management via completion of one of four graduate certificates. As instructors and advisors, we work closely with students to support classroom and career achievement; in return, students are expected to pursue academic excellence and demonstrate integrity. 
   
  Public Service Values Statement. The guiding public service values of the MPA program in the College of Public Service at TSU are: 

• Public servants should practice impartiality and fairness in their daily work. 

• Public servants should work in a competent, transparent, and accountable manner towards the public good. 

• Public servants should be responsible and innovative stewards who seek to create the most public value out of scarce resources. 

• Public servants should understand, value, and respect both individual differences and commonalities, working to create and maintain thriving organizations and communities. 

Program Outcomes

The TSU MPA’s program-level competencies and student learning outcomes are available online at https://www.tnstate.edu/cpsua/documents/programs/competencies_by_course_mpa.pdf. You are encouraged to also review the MPA factsheet for additional details, available at https://www.tnstate.edu/cpsua/documents/fyi/fyi_mpa_factsheet.pdf. 

Admission Requirements

To be considered for admission, all applicants must provide the following items via the online Graduate School admission portal: (1) Application for Admission; (2) application fee; (3) one official transcript from all colleges and universities previously attended, showing a cumulative GPA of 2.7 or higher for the undergraduate degree (submitted as directed in the application portal); (4) three letters of recommendation from persons familiar with the applicant’s potential for masters-level study in public administration; and (5) a 500- to 1,000-word Statement of Purpose discussing why the applicant is interested in a master’s degree, and why the master’s program in public administration specifically is a good fit for their goals. All applicants are expected to be competent in written and spoken English and must possess basic computer literacy; applicants who have English as a foreign language must meet the minimum English Proficiency requirements set by the Graduate School. The admission decision will be based on the entire academic and professional record after the conditions specified here have been met. Applicants will be granted unconditional admission if the overall record (based on the above variables) indicates a high potential for success in the program. Students with undergraduate GPAs that range from 2.5 to 2.69 may enter one of our five certificate programs.  Once the student completes one of the five certificate programs with a GPA of 3.0 or higher, they can apply for the MPA and the 2.7 undergraduate GPA requirement will be waived; all six courses from the certificate program will count towards the MPA degree if admitted (and within the time limit for master’s degrees; see front matter of Catalog for Graduate School time limitations). Students seeking to make this transition should contact their advisor. Each student admitted to the MPA program is assigned an advisor; advisors are listed by program responsibility on the department website. Students should consult with their advisors prior to registering for classes in each term of enrollment. It is the student’s responsibility to contact the advisor when consultation is needed. Advisors are listed at https://www.tnstate.edu/cpsua/advisors.aspx. 

Important Dates

This program can be started in any semester (Fall, Spring, Summer). Applications are due via the TSU Graduate School’s application portal by July 1 for Fall; November 1 for Spring, and April 1 for Summer. Applications received after those dates may be deferred till the next semester if insufficient time for processing and successful matriculation is available. 

Course Scheduling

To align with the needs of working students, courses are delivered fully online in a predictable pattern. Upon admission to the program, students should seek advising from the Department chair regarding a complete plan to complete their MPA degree. Once that plan is in hand, students should follow it each semester at registration. If a planned course is not available in the course schedule or is full, or if the student deviates from the plan for any reason (e.g., withdrawing from a course or courses, or not enrolling continuously), they must obtain an updated plan for completion. If any question comes up, students are urged to correspond or meet with their advisor to ensure that they are enrolling in the correct courses. Students should also monitor their DegreeWorks program audit after every registration to make sure their registrations are posting against MPA degree requirements - if not, they must contact their advisor promptly as this can affect financial aid or delay progress to completion. 

Program Duration

This program is designed for part-time, year-round study-typically six credits (two courses) per semester-to accommodate working professionals. The standard timeline for in-service students is six consecutive semesters (fall, spring, and summer), taking two courses each term. Students may begin the program in any semester. If an internship is required, it can be completed alongside coursework to maintain the six-semester timeline. Alternatively, students may choose to complete the internship in a separate term, extending the program to seven semesters. With advising, MPA students may progress through the program at the slower pace of one course per semester if desired. Although courses are offered on a regular and predictable rotation to support timely completion, not every course is available every semester. Therefore, to stay on track, students must receive academic advising from the department chair before starting the program. If any changes are made to the original plan due to withdrawal or a full course, students should consult their advisor right away for guidance and an updated plan. 

Transfer of Credits

The TSU MPA program follows the TSU Graduate School policies regarding transfer of credit for a master’s program. No more than 12 credits (4 courses) can be considered for transfer from another University or taken outside the department at TSU, and only subject to department chair approval. Credits may not have been used towards a completed degree, and suitability for transfer is determined by the department chair based on course similarity to our offerings that fit within the MPA curriculum. The transfer request is subject to additional levels of approval per Graduate School policy. Out-of-date credits (see Time Limitations for Credit) and those with grades below B cannot be considered for transfer. Students interested in taking their elective(s) in a different program at TSU must receive approval from the department chair and if permitted, those courses count against the total of 12 outside credits listed above. Other programs must also approve a student taking an elective from their unit. 

Degree Requirements

• All applicants to graduate programs in the College of Public Service must also consult the Graduate School policies detailed at the beginning of the Graduate Catalog, which pertains to all TSU graduate students. All students are expected to be familiar with and to adhere to both Graduate School policies and specific departmental requirements for their degree and/or graduate certificate. A cumulative grade point average of 3.0 in all graduate courses taken at Tennessee State University is required for successful completion of graduate certificates or graduate degree programs; individual programs may also have more restrictive policies as detailed in their Catalog section (for example, C grades in core courses are not accepted for the Ph.D. in public policy and administration). We abide by Graduate School policies including those regarding retention, probation, suspension, and time limitations for degrees (see the front matter of this Catalog). Per Graduate School policy, a given course in our programs may be repeated one time only, and the second grade will replace the first. A student may repeat a maximum of two (2) courses in a given program for the purpose of improving grades.  

• Master’s Core. Students must satisfy the nine-course core requirement plus any prerequisite courses. Enrollment in a specific course may be waived for students having equivalent graduate course work not having been used for another degree, up to transfer limits specified in Graduate School policy. Waiver of a core course requirement does not reduce the total credit hours which must be earned toward the degree. 

• Electives and graduate certificate offerings. Students may select, with the approval of their advisor, three 6000 level courses offered by the Department to meet the nine-credit elective requirement. Most MPA students elect to pursue one of the graduate certificates offered by the Department of Public Administration as part of their MPA studies. Those that do so take must take their three MPA electives in the specialty area of their certificate following advising.  Choosing to seek a certificate as well as the MPA without seeking appropriate advising can affect time to degree. Consult the advisor before taking any electives to ensure proper course selection for timely completion. By following the advising received, students can complete the certificate with the MPA within the overall credit requirements of the MPA program, so no additional courses are required. The certificates offered by the department are included in the Catalog and can also be viewed at https://www.tnstate.edu/cpsua/degrees/. 

• Internship. The total credit hours for the MPA include 6 credits for a supervised internship of 300 hours. Students typically work for state or city agencies acquiring practical experience in government or in an appropriate nonprofit agency. To ensure that a particular internship opportunity meets departmental requirements for credit, the MPA student must consult with the internship coordinator prior to making a commitment to an agency. Students are expected to seek an internship only after completing at least 15 credit hours of MPA course work. Forms which are required before, during, and upon the close of the internship are linked at the MPA handbook online, along with the syllabus for the internship credits which includes required assignments. 

• Exemption from Internship.  Students with one year or more of significant professional public, nonprofit, or government-facing  policy or administrative experience (ex. public affairs or governmental relations) may be exempted from the internship requirement and have a reduction of 6 credits in the total credits required for the MPA (from 42 to 36). This exemption is contingent on advisor approval of the exemption application and must be discussed with the advisor early in the course of study. Qualified students seeking an internship exemption must submit the Internship Exemption form accompanied by a reflective paper relating their academic study to their work experience. and other materials documenting their professional experience (the form and further instructions are available in the MPA handbook online) by the announced deadline in their final semester. Advisor approval of this submission is a graduation requirement for any student not completing the internship. Further instructions should be sought from the advisor. 

• The Capstone Project.  This project completed during the capstone core course (PADM 6700) offers each student the opportunity to demonstrate mastery of the theory and practice of public administration by applying the knowledge and skills gained in the MPA program to an organizational or policy-focused project of the student’s choice (subject to the course instructor’s advance approval). As part of this course, the student will complete a project report for the focal organization or on the focal policy that reflects application of knowledge, skills, and abilities developed in the MPA program to the project. The products from this course will serve as tangible evidence of a graduating MPA student’s qualifications and expertise. The course is intended only for students who are completing the MPA. To enroll, students should have completed PADM 6130 (Research Methods), PADM 6500 (Internship) if required, and be no more than one (1) semester away from graduating (deviation from this pattern requires advisor approval). Therefore, a student who wants to graduate in the Spring, could take this course during the Spring when they expect to graduate or during the preceding Fall semester. Students who are unsure about whether they are eligible to take this course should consult their advisor. 

• Reflective Statement of Purpose. All students completing the MPA degree are required to submit a reflective statement of purpose in their final semester, along with a copy of their original statement of purpose (submitted during the application process). Further instructions are available in the MPA handbook online. 

• Grades of D or F. Grades of D or F may not be counted towards meeting program curricular requirements for awarding of the MPA degree.   A TSU cumulative graduate GPA of 3.0 or higher is required to receive the MPA degree along with successful completion of all other degree requirements. 

Time Limitation for Credit

Course credits earned more than six (6) years prior to a student’s graduation may not be applied toward the MPA degree without a successful time-extension appeal to the Graduate Council (including an appropriate revalidation plan, which may require retaking the courses). See information on Stop-The-Clock, time limitations, and appeals process in the front matter of the Catalog with other Graduate School policies. 

Accreditation Information

The MPA is accredited by the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA). 

Career Opportunities

Completing the MPA degree provides a strong foundation for advancement in public, nonprofit, and private sector careers that align with public service. Many TSU MPA alumni hold positions in state government or nonprofit organizations, while others serve in local or federal government roles, public affairs, or government relations. Depending on previous experience, graduates also find opportunities in educational and healthcare administration with the MPA. For some, the MPA is a step toward a legal career. The MPA, though it is a terminal, professional master’s degree, can also be part of the journey towards a doctorate in public policy and administration. If your goal is to develop the skills, knowledge, and abilities essential for professional roles that serve the public interest-regardless of sector-the MPA is an excellent choice. You can view employment data in our MPA program factsheet at https://www.tnstate.edu/cpsua/documents/fyi/fyi_mpa_factsheet.pdf. 

Faculty Credentials

Our faculty with contact information and links to CVs are listed at https://www.tnstate.edu/cpsua/people/index.aspx. 

Program Website

 https://www.tnstate.edu/cpsua/degrees/mpa.aspx 

Program Coordinator/Contact Information

Meg Streams, Ph.D., Department Chair
mstreams@tnstate.edu
615-963-7112 

Program of Study and Credit Hours Required

• The number of credits required for the program depends on whether the 6-credit internship is required given the student’s public service professional background, as follows. 

• In-Service students: 36 credits of coursework for “in-service” students (those who 1) have at least one year of professional experience in the public, nonprofit, or public affairs/governmental relations settings as evaluated by the advisor, and 2) satisfactorily complete the internship waiver paper before the conclusion of their studies)  

• Pre-Service students: 42 credits for pre-service students (those who lack at least one year of professional experience in the public, nonprofit, or public affairs/governmental relations settings, as evaluated by advisor). The 42-credit version that is mandatory for pre-service students includes the same 36 credits of coursework, plus the 300-hour, 6-credit internship. Planning for the internship should be discussed with the advisor at least six months prior to the desired semester of internship.