MPA Degree Plan
Thirteen courses (39 graduate credit hours) are required for the MPA degree. The program is structured to accommodate both full-time and part-time students. A full-time student takes three courses (nine credit hours) per semester, and can typically complete the program in two calendar years and one semester. Students must complete the program within 10 years.
| Credit Hours | |
| Core Courses | 24 |
| Concentration or Specialization Courses | 9 |
| Elective Courses | 6 |
| Total | 39 |
Students first take the beginning core courses.
Beginning Core
- PA 8050 | Foundations of Public Service
- PA 8090 | Organization Theory & Behavior
- PA 8100 | Advanced Management & Leadership for Public & Nonprofit Professionals (prereq: PA 8090)
Core
- PA 8120 | Analysis & Decision Making
- PA 8300 | Policy Design & Implementation (prereq: PA 8120)
- PA 8400 | Public & Nonprofit Budgeting
- PA 8530 | Planning & Evaluation (prereq: PA 8300)
- PA 8990 | Capstone Project (final class; prereq: 30 credits + completion of core curriculum )
Electives
Students in the MPA program will select two (2) electives based on areas of interest. Possible electives are not limited to but can include additional graduate courses in aviation, public administration, emergency management, or urban studies. Students work with their advisor to select electives that best match their career and academic goals.
List of eligible MPA electives
Concentrations
- Emergency Management
- Health & Social Policy
- Local Government
- Nonprofit Management
- Public Management
- Public Policy
Specializations
What is the difference between a concentration and a specialization?
Concentrations are housed in the School of Public Administration and are formally listed on your university transcript, whereas specializations are housed outside of SPA and are not formally listed on your university transcript.
MPA Capstone Project
Students enrolled in the UNO MPA program must complete a Capstone Project Course prior to being awarded their degree.
Internships
The Internship in Public Administration course (PA 8030) is strongly recommended for students with little or no work experience in the public or nonprofit sectors. Students seeking to make a career change will also benefit from an internship. Internships are half-time positions over the course of a semester, and count as a 3-credit hour elective toward the MPA degree. Students must complete the three beginning core courses before enrolling in PA 8030.
Securing a successful internship requires lead time. MPA Students are encouraged to brainstorm internship approaches with their academic advisor prior to scheduling a meeting with the Supervisor of MPA/MSUS Internships, Dr. Meagan Van Gelder. For more information on Internships, including a list of organizations where students have held internship positions in the past, please visit the Internships page.
Dual Degree Programs
Acquire a powerful combination of knowledge and skills and put yourself on the fast track in your chosen career with one of our dual degree programs. As a graduate student in the School of Public Administration, you can earn an MPA along with another UNO degree in a compressed timeframe. Because of the flexibility in the MPA curriculum and the breadth and depth of knowledge available through the University of Nebraska Omaha's academic departments, you can tailor a dual degree program to meet your interests and goals.
