The Master’s in Public Administration program at the University of Cincinnati is a social justice focused program (MPA SJ). Students are able to pursue their passion for public policy and social innovation, and prepare themselves to meet the increasing need for leaders in the public sector. In addition to the traditional core competencies, this program centers social justice and equity in all levels of government and nonprofit organizations. The MPA SJ offers students the opportunity to: study with renowned faculty, gain skills necessary to become effective agents for change, learn through interdisciplinary curricula in areas including Sociology and Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies. The program also offers students the unique opportunity to connect with a network of professionals currently working for social justice in the fields of public and non-profit administration.

Curriculum
Master's of Public Administration - Fall 2022

Core Classes
Required classes for MPA 24 credit hours
MPA Core
Course    Title/Desc    Credit
POL7101    Introduction to Public Administration (B min)    3
POL7105    Public Budgeting and Finance (B min)    3
POL7106    Political & Legal Processes (B min)    3
POL7104    Public Management and Decision Making (B min)    3
Methods Courses
Course    Title/Desc    Credit
POL7058    Methods of Interpretation in the Social Sciences (B min)    4
POL7051    Statistics for Political Science 1 (B min)    4
POL7001    Policy Research and Evaluation Methods (B min)    4

MPA Specializations
Track 1 - Public Management
Course    Title/Desc    Credit
POL7102    Public Sector Human Resource Management (B min)    3
POL7103    Organizational Theory and Behavior (B min)    3
Track 2 - Social and Urban Policy
Course    Title/Desc    Credit
POL7110    Social and Urban Policy and Politics (B min)    3

Electives and Capstone
Elective Courses
Students on the Public Management Track must complete 6 hours of electives. Students on the Social and Urban Policy Track must complete 9 hours of electives.
Course    Title/Desc    Credit
EDST7001    Politics of Education (B min)    3
POL7015    Pro-Seminar in Public Opinion and Public Policy (B min)    4
PSYC7001    Psychological Theories of Power, Oppression & Privilege (B min)    3
EDLD7038    Leadership for Social Justice (B min)    3
EDST7045    Community-Based Participatory Research (B min)    3
EDST7046    Critical Pedagogy (B min)    3
COMM7008    Seminar in Public Relations and Issue Management (B min)    3
WGS7013    Feminist Theory: Race/Class/Sexuality/Nation (B min)    4
PLAN6056    Power, Politics & Persuasion: Candidates & Campaigns (B min)    3
CJ7060    Correctional Theory and Policy (B min)    3
PLAN7020    Economic Development Planning: Theory and Practice (B min)    3
WGS7028    Seminar in Cultural Studies (B min)    3
ECE7097    Learning Through Inquiry (B min)    3
PLAN6027    PUBLIC SPACE: Possibilities and Potentialities (B min)    3
HPE7014    Grant Writing and Resource Development (B min)    3
HPE7002    Culture, Equity, and Vulnerable Population Health (B min)    3
GEOG6071C    Introduction to Geographic Information Sciences (B min)    3
POL7069    Democracy and development (B min)    4
SPED6001    Individuals with Exceptionalities (B min)    3
EDST8053    Feminist Qualitative Methodologies (B min)    3
POL6090    Feminist International Politics (B min)    4
Capstone
Course    Title/Desc    Credit
POL7115    MPA Capstone (B min)    3

careers:Graduates of the MPA SJ program will be able to engage in any number of diverse career opportunities, including but not limited to working in local governments, nonprofit agencies, grassroots/community-based organizations, etc.

The MPA SJ program operationalizes success as students gaining the knowledge and skills related to the development and implementation of equitable public policy. Students will learn to effectively engage with stakeholders, including but not limited to: community residents, nonprofit leaders, politicians, grassroots organizers, and business leaders to advance fair and just policies. Students will be equity champions and thoughtful allies in the pursuit of equitable outcomes for all citizens.

Admission Requirements

Admission requirements for the MPA SJ:

• Two letters of recommendation (ideally at least one from a former professor)
• Minimum undergraduate of 3.0
• Respond to an essay prompt (between 500 and 750 words)
• Resume
• Optional materials – third letter of recommendation, writing sample, any other information to strengthen student’s application
• NO GRE is required.

Tuition fee-2 years$60,000

Total fee-2 years$92,000