Information for Prospective MPPA Students
Degree Program Information:
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.
The program caters to 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. All applicants must meet the minimum requirements of the Graduate School for admission.
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 pay only $45 for a full semester MetroLink and MetroBus pass.
Coursework:
A minimum of 40 credit hours divided into a 28-hour core and 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.
Admission Requirements:
1. Application can be downloaded from Graduate Admissions at:
https://tomsawyer.umsl.edu/webapps/Graduate_Admission/application_form.cfm
Required statement of 2-3 pages describing an individual’s goals and substantive areas of interest.
2. Three letters of recommendation.
3. Transcripts and Entrance Examinations:
- Graduate Record Examination (GRE) (optional). For more information on Graduate Record Examinations visit:
http://www.gre.org/ttindex.html - Official Transcripts of all previous undergraduate and graduate work
- International students are required to document English proficiency. For more information on admission requirements for international students visit: http://www.umsl.edu/divisions/graduate/prospective/international.html or contact the International Student Services office. Their telephone number is (314) 516-5229; fax: (314) 516-5636; e-mail address: iss@umsl.edu
4. Grade Point Average:
Minimum 3.0 on 4.0 scale is required for regular admission. Grade point averages below 3.0 will be considered on an individual basis.
Application Deadlines: For Fall Semester, July 1; for Winter/Spring Semester, December 1; for Summer Semester, May 1. Applications are processed as they are submitted. However, applications that are not received by the posted date may delay admission until the following semester.
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.
Graduate Program Director: Dr. Brady Baybeck
Phone: (314) 516-5145
Email
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