Master of Public Administration

Program Overview	The MPA program is a nationally-accredited degree program intended to prepare students for successful careers as managers in the public and nonprofit sectors. The curriculum is designed to enable the student to understand the scope and activity of governance in modern society and to administer public programs effectively. For the student who already has significant governmental experience, the program provides opportunities to gain new skills and obtain an enlarged perspective on the responsibilities and obligations of public sector management. While public administration is generally associated with a political science background, students from any discipline who are interested in public or nonprofit careers, or who are currently employed in the public or nonprofit sectors, are encouraged to apply to the program.
Special Notes About the Program	Several civic leaders, in Jacksonville and at UNF, possess our MPA degree.
Application Information	Applications are accepted fall, spring, and summer terms.
Admission Requirements	Applicants must meet the general graduate admission requirements. MPA students must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution with a minimum GPA of 3.0 on the last 60 hours of undergraduate work. In addition, sufficiently high scores on either the GRE or GMAT are required. In general, a combined score of 1000 or above on the verbal and math sections of the GRE will be sufficient to ensure admission. Alternatively, students may submit scores from the GMAT. Minimum scores for the verbal and quantitative components must be 30 and 29, respectively. However, lower GRE or GMAT scores, or a lower GPA, may be considered acceptable for admission if review of an applicant's overall academic record or work experience suggests that the applicant has the potential for success in the MPA program. Students with a GPA below the minimum or with GRE or GMAT scores below the minimum may be admitted fully or conditionally upon review of their applications by the MPA Director in consultation with the MPA Steering Committee. Conditional admission means that a student is allowed to take up to three MPA courses on a trial basis. If each of these courses are completed with a grade of “B” or better, the student's conditional status will be changed to that of a fully-admitted graduate student. The MPA program requires that each applicant have completed at least one undergraduate course in American government or the American political system prior to admission to the program. Each applicant is required to submit two letters of recommendation. These letters should be from persons familiar with the academic or work performance of the applicant. Applicants are also urged to arrange an admission interview with the MPA Director. This interview should be scheduled prior to the semester in which the applicant intends to begin the program.
Graduate Program Director & Advising Coordinator	Dr. Patrick Plumlee pplumlee@unf.edu 904 620-1928 Bldg. 51, Room 2402
Program Faculty and Department Chair	Click Here
Mission & Goals	Click Here
Accreditation	NASPAA -- National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration / Commission on Peer Review and Accreditation
Curriculum & Requirements	See pages 60-65 of the Graduate Catalog
Program Policies	Click Here
Total Program Credit Hours	42 semester credit hours
Average Length of the Program	Two years
Approximate Number of Students in the Program	90
Community Connections	Members of the MPA faculty serve on the City of Jacksonville's Ethics Commission, the Jacksonville Human Rights Commission and other public bodies; administer evaluation iniatives of civic agencies; consult on strategic planning efforts by non-profit agencies and institutions; and develop and implement community-focused polls through the UNF Public Opinion Research Lab (headed by an MPA faculty member). In addition, this program offers an internship option; more information can be found through the Graduate Catalog or by speaking with the Graduate Program Director.
Career Possibilities	Click Here
Graduate Student Stories & Pictures	(in progress)
Resources & Links	(in progress)