Program Director: Harry Wessel, Ph.D.
The Master of Public Affairs is an innovative, interdisciplinary program that prepares students for dynamic careers as leaders in the world of public affairs and public policy.
The Master of Public Affairs program trains the next generation of public affairs workers and policy leaders to understand, evaluate, and tackle increasingly complex public issues in a globalized world. The program prepares students with the knowledge and skills to address important problems in society and to excel in the areas of ethical leadership, collaborative governance, public policy strategy, economic analysis, and more.
The MPA program is dedicated to experiential learning and requires a public affairs internship/strategic capstone, selected by the student with counsel from his/her faculty advisor.
Admissions Requirements
Same as General Admissions Requirements
Requirements for the Degree
The Master of Public Affairs can be earned by completing a one-year program comprised of eight (8) courses for a total of 32 credits. Students may also enroll part time and complete the degree in two years or at their own pace.
Program Outcomes
Students graduate with the accepted credential for the public service professional and an understanding of all influencing factors which contribute to the development and implementation of public policies.
Required Courses (16 credits)
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MPA6100G*
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Foundations of Public Affairs
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4
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MPA6200G*
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Research Methods and Evaluation
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4
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MPA6300G
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Public Sector Economics
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4
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MPA6400G
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Public Affairs Internship / Strategic Capstone
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4
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* Merrimack College graduates who received a grade of ‘A’ or ‘A-’ in POL4800: Senior Seminar and/or POL2000W: Political Science Methods can petition the Director to have MPA6100: Foundations of Public Affairs and/or MPA6200: Research Methods and Evaluation waived respectively. Students would then be required to take additional electives from the list of electives for this degree. The total credits for the MPA program remains 32 credits (8 courses). Similarly, students who graduated from another institution and received a grade of ‘A’ or ‘A-’ for courses equivalent to MPA6100 and/or MPA6200 can petition the Director to waive the course(s). All course waivers are at the discretion of the Director.
Elective Courses (16 credits)
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MPA6500G
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Public Administration
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4
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MPA6520G
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Science and Energy Policy
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4
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MPA6530G
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Public Financial Management
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4
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MPA6540G
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Intercultural Communication
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4
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MPA6550G
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Comparative Public Affairs
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4
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MPA6560G
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Biomedical Ethics and Public Policy
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4
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MPA6570G
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Immigration Policy
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4
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MPA6580G
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The Public Executive
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4
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MPA6590G
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Urban Government and Politics
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4
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MPA6610G
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Government, Business & Society
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4
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MPA6620G
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Health Communication
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4
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MPA6630G
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Emergency & Disaster Management
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4
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MPA6640G
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Law Ethics
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4
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MPA6700G
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Graduate Directed Study
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4
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