The core program combines the theory and practice of public administration, public finance, human resource management, quantitative and qualitative research, and a thorough grounding in intergovernmental relations. The program offers three tracks: Public Administration (government), Nonprofit Management, and International Public Management.
Tracks
Public Administration
The Public Administration Track includes courses in administrative law, comparative public administration, public policy, and other topical courses designed to prepare students for a career in public service.
Nonprofit Administration
The Nonprofit Administration Track prepares students to effectively plan, develop, manage, evaluate and lead nonprofit programs.
International Public Management
The International Public Management Track is designed to prepare student for careers with international non-governmental organizations, international organizations, and government agencies working in the international arena.
Curriculum
| MPA Requirements |
Credits |
| Core Courses |
21 |
| Track Courses |
12 |
| Master’s Project |
3 |
|
Total Credit Hours for Program Completion |
36 |
| Core Courses | ||
|
Course |
Title |
Credits |
| PAD 500 | Public Administration & Policy |
3 |
| PAD 601 | Public Budgeting |
3 |
| PAD 640 | Human Resource Management for Public & Nonprofit Organizations |
3 |
| PAD 646 | Strategic Planning for Public & Nonprofit Organizations |
3 |
| PAD 680 | Research Methods in Public Administration |
3 |
| PAD 681 | Data Analysis & Presentation |
3 |
| PAD 735 | Public Organizations |
3 |
| Total Credit Hours for Core Courses |
21 |
|
| Select one of the following tracks | |
| Public Administration Track | |
| Nonprofit Management Track | |
| International Public Management Track | |
| Total Credit Hours for Track Courses |
12 |
| Required Master’s Project | ||
|
Course |
Title |
Credits |
| PAD 690 | Master’s Project (by advisement) |
3 |
*Buffalo State University's MPA Program is a member of NASPAA and seeking NASPAA accreditation. Thus, our core curriculum is designed to meet NASPAA's Standard 5.1 Universal Required Competencies. Only the MPA Program Director can substitute other courses for core courses.
Tracks (Select One)
| Public Administration Track | ||
|
Course |
Title |
Credits |
|
Select one of the following courses |
||
| PAD/ECO 515 | NYS Government & Budget |
3 |
|
or |
||
| PAD 607 | City & County Management |
3 |
|
or |
||
| PAD 608 | Intergovernmental Relations |
3 |
|
Select three of the following courses |
||
| PAD 501 | Comparative Public Administration |
3 |
| PAD 502 | Administrative Law |
3 |
| PAD 505 | Introduction to Disaster & Emergency Management |
3 |
| PAD 540 | US Public Policy |
3 |
| PAD 587 | Topics Course (1-4) |
3 |
| PAD 588 | Graduate Internship (1-6) |
3 |
| PAD 590 | Independent Study (1-3) |
3 |
| PAD 606 | Disaster Response & Recovery Management |
3 |
| PAD 609 | Disaster & Emergency Management Planning |
3 |
| PAD 688 | Leadership in Public & Nonprofit Organizations |
3 |
| PAD 700 | Immigration & Refugee Policy |
3 |
| PAD 701 | Administrative Ethics |
3 |
| PAD 704 | Human Rights & Humanitarian Policy |
3 |
| PAD 712 | Managing Program Evaluation |
3 |
| PAD 715 | Survey Methods and Design |
3 |
| Total Credit Hours Required in Track |
12 |
|
| Nonprofit Management Track | ||
|
Course |
Title |
Credits |
|
Required Course |
||
| PAD 604 | Nonprofit Management & Governance |
3 |
|
Select three of the following courses |
||
| PAD/ECO 515 | NYS Government & Budget |
3 |
| PAD 505 | Introduction to Disaster & Emergency Management |
3 |
| PAD 540 | US Public Policy |
3 |
| PAD 587 | Topics Course (1-4) |
3 |
| PAD 588 | Graduate Internship (1-6) |
3 |
| PAD 590 | Independent Study (1-3) |
3 |
| PAD 603 | NGO Management & International Development |
3 |
| PAD 606 | Disaster Response & Recovery Management |
3 |
| PAD 609 | Disaster & Emergency Management Planning |
3 |
| PAD 647 | The Nonprofit & Voluntary Sector |
3 |
| PAD 648 | Nonprofit Grants Management & Fund Development |
3 |
| PAD 688 | Leadership in Public & Nonprofit Organizations |
3 |
| PAD 701 | Administrative Ethics |
3 |
| PAD 712 | Managing Program Evaluation |
3 |
| PAD 715 | Survey Methods & Design |
3 |
| Total Credit Hours Required in Track |
12 |
|
| International Public Management Track | ||
|
Course |
Title |
Credits |
|
Required Course |
||
| PAD 605 or PAD 501 |
International Public Management & Service or Comparative Public Administration |
3 |
|
Select three of the following courses |
||
| PAD 505 | Introduction to Disaster & Emergency Management |
3 |
| PAD 587 | Topics Course (1-4) |
3 |
| PAD 588 | Graduate Internship (1-6) |
3 |
| PAD 590 | Independent Study (1-3) |
3 |
| PAD 603 | NGO Management & International Development |
3 |
| PAD 606 | Disaster Response & Recovery Management |
3 |
| PAD 609 | Disaster& Emergency Management Planning |
3 |
| PAD 700 | Immigration & Refugee Policy |
3 |
| PAD 704 | Human Rights & Humanitarian Policy |
3 |
| PAD 712 | Managing Program Evaluation |
3 |
| PAD 715 | Survey Methods & Design |
3 |
| Total Credit Hours Required in Track |
12 |
|