Program Description
ULM offers a 36-hour online-only MPA program designed for graduate students anywhere in the world. MPA courses are offered in eight-week and sixteen-week formats every semester, allowing the degree to be completed in as little as 12 months. Students may enter the program any semester. To participate in the online MPA program, students must have Microsoft Office, high-speed internet access, and computer equipment with audio and video capability including a headset, microphone, and webcam. ULM’s online-only MPA program offers credit for participation in the Delta Regional Authority Delta Leadership Institute Executive Academy.
Program Admission
Regular Admission
Applicants must have earned a baccalaureate degree with a minimum overall GPA of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale or a 2.75 GPA on the last 60 hours of attempted coursework to be regularly admitted.
Applicants who have earned any graduate or terminal degree from a from a college or university accredited and recognized at the institutional level by the US Department of Education (USDOE) will qualify for regular admission to a master’s program provided they meet all other eligibility requirements.
Conditional Admission
Applicants must have earned a baccalaureate degree with a minimum overall GPA of 2.50 on a 4.0 scale or a 2.50 on the last 60 hours of attempted coursework to be conditionally admitted.
or
Meet a minimum formula score of 622.6 (2.2 GPA x 283 GRE) or for MBA applicants only, 1000 (GPA x 200 + GMAT)
or
With a GPA of 2.2 or higher, some candidates with 5 years of employment in a relevant field of study may qualify for a waiver of test scores in some programs.
For applicants who are admitted conditionally because they do not meet GPA and/or GRE requirements, this status will be removed after a minimum of 12 semester hours of graduate coursework is completed at the University of Louisiana Monroe with a 3.0 GPA, and with no grades of C or below. If these requirements are not met, the student will be denied continuance in Graduate School
In-Service and Pre-Service Requirements
Upon admission, all students will be designated as in-service or pre-service. In designating in-service or pre-service status, the program will consider the duration, roles, and responsibilities of previous work experience in local, county, regional, state, or federal administrative agencies; the office of elected officials; nonprofit or not-for-profit organizations; or health sector-related organizations. Students lacking at least two years of administrative or policy-related experience will be designated a pre-service student.
Pre-service students will be required to enroll in an internship, POLS 5093: Public Administration Internship, bringing the total hours required for their degree to 39.
The internship will demand approximately 300 hours of work for a local, county, regional, state, or federal administrative agency; the office of an elected official; nonprofit or not-for-profit organization; or a health sector-related organization. Students cannot enroll in POLS 5093 until at least nine (9) hours of core MPA courses have been completed.
Requests from pre-service students to have the internship requirement waived will be considered on a case-by-case basis by the coordinator of the MPA program in conjunction with the Committee on Admissions for Political Science. Such requests may be granted in a situation where, for example, a student’s existing public service evolves into a permanent position and exceeds programmatic minimums during the course of their MPA studies and prior to enrolling in the internship course.
In-service students, those with at least two years full-time work experience, will not be required to complete the internship, though they will not be discouraged from participating in this option as well.
MPA/JD Dual Degree Program
The MPA/JD Dual Degree Program
ULM’s MPA program has partnered with the Mississippi Law School at Mississippi College to offer a dual MPA/JD program. The MPA/JD dual degree program provides the opportunity for students to pursue their interests in the law, public affairs, and public policy simultaneously. It is particularly applicable to those pursuing careers in government and/or public interest law.
Program Requirements
Students are required to complete a total of 126 credit hours for the coordinated degree. In addition, students without work experience in the public sector need to complete an additional 3 credit hours of internship. This includes 36 hours in the MPA Program, and 90 hours in the JD Program. Full-time students should be able to complete all degree requirements within four years.
Program Admission
Students must apply and be admitted to the MPA and JD programs separately. The requirements for each degree must be met and close communication with both programs is required. Students need to complete the first year of law school before pursuing MPA coursework. The LSAT may be substituted for the GRE only by JD/MPA applicants.
Further Information
For more information contact:
|
Leigh Nanney Hersey, PhD
Assistant Professor & MPA Coordinator
University of Louisiana Monroe
318-342-1332
hersey@ulm.edu
|
Phillip L. McIntosh
Associate Dean for Academic Affairs & Professor of Law
Director of the Center for Civil Law Studies
Mississippi College School of Law
601-925-7145
mcintosh@mc.edu
|
Program Requirements
The Master of Public Administration degree program consists of 36 credit hours.
Each student completes a designated concentration chosen by the student in consultation and with the approval of their advisor. The core requirements are as follows:
Concentrations
Students must choose from one of six concentrations:
- Administration of Education (ADE)
- Administration of Health (ADH)
- Administration of Justice (ADJ)
- Administration of Management (MGT)
- Non Profit Management
- Public Management (PMG)
- Public Parks Management
Public Management (the general track)
Requires the addition of eighteen (18) hours selected from the list below:
Administration of Education
Requires the addition of fifteen (15) hours from the list below, plus three (3) hours of 5000-level political science electives not listed among the MPA core requirements.
Administration of Health
Requires the addition of fifteen (15) hours as listed below, plus three (3) hours of 5000-level political science electives not listed among the MPA core requirements.
Administration of Justice
Requires the addition of fifteen (15) hours from the list below, or as approved by the MPA Coordinator, plus three (3) hours of 5000-level political science electives not listed among the MPA core requirements.
Administration of Management
Requires the addition of fifteen (15) hours from the list below, plus three (3) hours of 5000-level political science electives not listed among the MPA core requirements.
Nonprofit Management
Requires the addition of twelve (12) hours from the list below, plus six (6) hours of 5000-level political science electives not listed among the MPA core requirements.
Public Parks Management
Requires the addition of fifteen (15) hours selected from the list below:
Graduate Courses
Note: To receive graduate credit for a 4000-level course designated “For Undergraduate and Graduates,” a student must be in graduate admission status at the time credit is earned in the course. Credit earned in undergraduate admission status cannot be changed to graduate credit.
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