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Public Administration

Overview

The Master of Public Administration (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.

Several civic leaders, in Jacksonville and at UNF, possess our MPA degree.

Concentrations

The Public Administration program requires applicants to choose one of the following concentrations:

  • Generalist Option
  • Health Administration
  • Local Government Policy & Administration
  • National Security
  • Non-Profit Management
  • Public Policy

Application Deadlines

Fall Term . . . . . . . . August 1
Spring Term . . . . . December 1
Summer Term . . . April 15

Applicants that will be applying for the Graduate Scholarship should apply
to the program by March 6. Those applying for MPA program scholarships 
should apply by June 1.

Graduate Program Director

Dr. Georgette Dumont
Associate Professor
(904) 620-5855
Building 51, Room 2416

The following items must be submitted no later then the deadline posted above. Incomplete applications with outstanding requirements, or those post-marked after the posted deadline, are subject to cancellation. Once an application has been canceled, the decision can not be reversed. Applicants may apply for the next application cycle.

  • UNF admission application
  • Application fee
  • If applicable, collection holds and judicial holds must be cleared
  • All of the below university and program requirements
  • University Requirements
    • A baccalaureate degree from an accepted institutional accreditor, or its equivalent from a foreign institution, with a GPA of 3.0 or higher in all work attempted in the last 60 credit hours of undergraduate study.
    • Transcripts, and foreign evaluations if applicable, from all post-secondary institutions attended. Admitted students will be prompted to provide official copies. 
  • Program Requirements
    • Resume
    • Letter of intent
    • Two recommendations
      • Should be from persons familiar with the academic or work performance of the applicant
      • Recommenders must submit a letter of recommendation, and/or a rating form
    • GRE test scores
      • Taken within the last 5 years
      • 153 verbal and 145 quantitative
      • GMAT is acceptable with minimum scores of 30 verbal and 29 quantitative
      • The GRE requirement is waived for applicants with at least a 3.25 GPA calculation from the last 60 undergraduate credits. Applicants are encouraged to contact the Graduate Program Director for more information on the GRE waiver
      • Applicants with an earned advanced degree (defined as a Master Degree at the minimum) from a regionally accredited institution, may request to have the GRE waived; applicants must contact the Graduate Program Director to request a waiver
    • Each applicant must complete at least one undergraduate course in American government or the American political system, and one undergraduate course in statistics
    Lower GRE or GMAT scores, or a lower GPA, may be considered acceptable for admission if review of an applicant's overall academic record and 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 application by the MPA Graduate Program 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. Applicants are also encouraged to arrange an admission interview with the MPA Graduate Program Director. This interview should be scheduled prior to the semester in which the applicant intends to begin the program.