No matter what specific area of focus you choose (of which the possibilities are nearly endless), your MPA degree will rest on a broad, firm foundation—a group of 10 core courses comprising 24 credit hours. These core curriculum courses will help prepare you as a leader in your field, with an impressive toolkit of analytical and project management skills. You’ll also gain a firm understanding of the public policy process in both U.S. and international contexts, the management of public and other institutions, and the social equity implications of public policy decisions.
*The curriculum below is the current curriculum for students who began Fall 2024 and/or 2025*
MPA Requirement I: Core (24 credit hours)
MPA core and elective classes develop the skills applicable for analysis and management in any organization, whether it is a government, nonprofit organization, or a private enterprise. Core classes should generally be completed during the student’s first year, while Capstone is to be completed in the last year—either spring or fall semester.
SPEA-F 560Public Finance and Budgeting
SPEA-V 506Statistical Analysis for Effective Decision Making
SPEA-V 512Public Policy Process OR
SPEA-V 538Comparative and International Policy Process
SPEA-V 517Public Management Economics
SPCN-V 532Social Equity and Justice (1.5 credit hours)
SPEA-V 535Managing and Leading Public Affairs
SPEA-V 536 or SPCN-V 536Rights and Responsibilities: How Law ShapesPublic Affairs (1.5 credit hours)
SPCN-V 537Designing and Managing Complex Projects (1.5 credit hours)
MPA students must complete a concentration. They must select at least one of the 13 concentrations described in the pages that follow. Students may choose to pursue more than one concentration, which is possible when double counting electives. Students choosing to pursue a “Specialized Study” should consult with a faculty and/or concentration advisor.
The Community and Economic Development concentration prepares students for professional positions that help people develop sustainable communities and enhance the economy at the local and regional level. Students may not use MPA core courses to fulfill concentration requirements.
REQUIREMENTS: (6 credit hours)
The following two courses are required:
SPEA-L 563: Planning and Community Development
SPEA-L 622: Local Economic Development
ELECTIVES: (9 credit hours)
Group I – Select one of the following three courses:
SPEA-E 518: Vector-based Geographic Information Systems
SPEA-M 547: Negotiation and Dispute Resolution for Public Affairs
SPEA-P 507: Data Analysis and Modeling for Public Affairs *Prerequisite: E538 or V506
Group II – In consultation with a concentration advisor, select two courses from the above list and from the following courses:
AADM-Y 551: Cultural Planning & Urban Development
SPEA-D 573: Development Economics
SPEA-D 576: Approaches to Development
SPEA-D 578: Introduction to Comparative and International Affairs
SPEA-D 669: Economic Development, Globalization, and Entrepreneurship *Prequisite: V517, a course in urban economics, or consent of instructor
SPEA-F 609: Seminar in Revenue Theory and Administration *Prerequisite: F560)
SPEA-F 610: Seminar in Government Budget and Program Analysis *Prerequisite: F560
SPEA-F 667: Seminar in Public Capital and Debt Theory *Prerequisite: F560
SPEA-I 516: Public Management Information Systems
SPEA-L 564: Local Governance
SPEA-L 568: Management of Local Government Services
SPEA-M 602: Strategic Management for Public and Nonprofit Organizations
SPEA-N 521: The Nonprofit & Voluntary Sector
SPEA-P 541: Benefit-Cost Analysis *Prerequisite: V517 or consent of instructor
SPEA-P 562: Public Program Evaluation *Prerequisite: V506 or equivalent coursework
SPEA-R 563: Corporate Sustainability in a Tri-Sectoral World
SPEA-S 596: Sustainable Development *Prerequisite: V517 or equivalent coursework
The Energy concentration prepares students to contribute in the areas of energy generation, use and impact, focus on energy policies, behaviors, and technologies and their socioeconomic and environmental consequences. MPA students will focus primarily on economics-based quantitative methods, behavioral science contributions to energy production and conservation projects, and the application of qualitative and quantitative methods in community settings. Students may not use MPA core courses to fulfill concentration requirements.
REQUIREMENTS: (6 credit hours)
The following two courses are required:
SPEA-E 574: Energy Systems in Transition
SPEA-R 674: Energy Economics and Policy *Prerequisite: V517
ELECTIVES: (9 credit hours)
In consultation with a concentration advisor, students select a mixture of science and policy courses related to energy in accordance to professional goals. Students must take a total of three electives courses from the Natural Science (Group I) and Economics, Public Policy, and Law (Group II) electives listed below. At least one course must be taken from each of the following groups.
Group I – Natural Science Electives (Select one or two of the following courses)
SPEA-E 505: Renewable and Nuclear Energy and Climate Change *Recommended: E574
SPEA-E 515: Fundamentals of Air Pollution (Recommended: E536)
SPEA-E 518: Vector-based Geographic Information Systems
SPEA-E 529: Application of Geographic Information Systems *Prerequisite: E518, or other introductory GIS course with lab, or equivalent practical experience
SPEA-E 536: Environmental Chemistry *Prerequisite: undergraduate chemistry course with lab
SPEA-E 591: Climate Change Impacts on Natural Resources *Prerequisite: graduate course in ecology, environmental policy, or environmental management or a waiver of one of these
EAS-G 576: Climate Change *Prerequisite: at least two undergraduate courses in the physical sciences or consent of instructor
GEOG-G 532: Physical Climatology *Prerequisite: consent of instructor
GEOG-G 544: Climate Change Impacts
Group II – Economics, Public Policy, and Law-Related Electives (Select one or two of the following courses)
SPEA-X 511: Human Behavior and Energy Consumption
SPEA-E 501: Consumption
SPEA-P 541: Benefit-Cost Analysis *Prerequisite: V517 or consent of instructor
SPEA-P 562: Public Program Evaluation *Prerequisite: V506 or equivalent coursework
SPEA-R 512: Energy and Climate: Law and Policy
SPEA-R 532: Water Policy and Economics *Recommended: V517
SPEA-R 533: Public Natural Resources Law *Recommended: V536, before or during
SPEA-R 535: International Environmental Policy
SPEA-R 564: Environmental and Natural Resource Policy Design and Implementation *Prerequisite: V517
SPEA-R 625: Environmental Economics and Policy *Prerequisite: V517
SPEA-R 626: Energy Justice and Policy Seminar *Prerequisite: E574
SPEA-R 643: Natural Resource Management and Policy
SPEA-R 645: Environmental Law
SPEA-S 516: Preparing for Climate Change and Resilient Urban Communities
SPEA-S 596: Sustainable Development *Prerequisite: V517 or equivalent coursework
The Environmental Policy and Natural Resources Management concentration draws on economics, statistics, and other quantitative fields to help students develop analytical skills to interpret and use data for the formation and evaluation of policy for environmental protection and natural resources management. The concentration draws on the study of law, politics, public policy, and management to build an understanding of the institutions through which society manages the formation and implementation of its policies. Students acquire a set of skills and insights that they will use in careers in government and consulting, in the regulatory and government relations offices of corporations, and in the advocacy and analysis operations of not-for-profit organizations. Students can focus their studies on either domestic or international environmental and natural resource issues. Students may not use MPA core courses to fulfill concentration requirements.
REQUIREMENTS: (6 credit hours)
Environmental Law and Economics (6 credit hours)
The following courses are required:
SPEA-R 625: Environmental Economics and Policy *Prerequisite: V517
SPEA-R 645: Environmental Law *Note: Students who can make a strong case to take an international law course in place of R645 should consult with a concentration advisor to explore options, possibly including LAW-B 783 or a relevant SPEA topics course.
ELECTIVES: (9 credit hours)
Group I – Environmental Policy Courses (3 credit hours)
In consultation with a concentration advisor, choose one of the following two courses:
SPEA-R 521: Domestic Environmental Policy
SPEA-R 535: International Environmental Policy
Group II – Analysis and Skills Courses (3 credit hours)
In consultation with a concentration advisor, choose one of the following courses:
SPEA-E 518: Vector-Based Geographic Information Systems
SPEA-E 529: Application of Geographic Information Systems *Prerequisite: E518, or other introductory GIS course with lab, or equivalent practical experience
SPEA-E 560: Environmental Risk Analysis *Prerequisite: E538, V506, or consent of instructor. A firm foundation in math and/or science is useful. Carries capstone credit for MPA-MSES.
SPEA-I 515: Data Science for Public and Environmental Affairs
SPEA-M 547: Negotiation and Dispute Resolution for Public Affairs
SPEA-P 507: Data Analysis and Modeling for Public Affairs *Prerequisite: E538 or V506
SPEA-P 541: Benefit-Cost Analysis *Prerequisite: V517 or consent of instructor
SPEA-P 562: Public Program Evaluation *Prerequisite: V506 or equivalent coursework
Group III – Context Courses (3 credit hours)
In consultation with a concentration advisor, choose one from the following list of courses:
SPEA-E 543: Environmental Management *Note: Cannot count as context course for dual degree
SPEA-R 517: Environmental Justice
SPEA-R 532: Water Policy and Economics *Recommended: V517
SPEA-R 564: Environmental and Natural Resource Policy Design and Implementation *Prerequisite: V517
SPEA-R 626: Energy Justice and Policy Seminar *Prerequisite: E574
SPEA-R 643: Natural Resource Management and Policy
SPEA-R 674: Energy Economics and Policy *Prerequisite: V517
SPEA-S 596: Sustainable Development *Prerequisite: V517 or equivalent coursework
The Health Policy concentration is designed to provide students with a strong foundation that prepares them for employment in the growing and rapidly changing sectors of health policy, health care and life sciences management, and international health. Topics include health industry regulation; healthcare finance; the confluence of public health policy and politics; and more. Students may not use MPA core courses to fulfill concentration requirements.
REQUIREMENTS: (9 credit hours)
The following three courses are required:
SPEA-H 549: Health Policy SPEA-P 507: Data Analysis and Modeling for Public Affairs *Prerequisite: E538 or V506 SPEA-P 562: Public Program Evaluation *Prerequisite: V506 or equivalent coursework
ELECTIVES: (6 credit hours)
Economics, Finance, and Regulation Components – Select two (6 credits) of the following courses:
SPEA-H 524: Health Industry Regulation
SPEA-H 525: Health Economics
SPEA-H 526: Healthcare Finance
SPEA-H 527: International Healthcare Systems
SPEA-N 557: Proposal Development and Grant Management
BUS-X 518: Business of Life Sciences 1: Trends (1.5 credits; Must take both BUS-X 518 & BUS-X 519)
BUS-X 519: Business of Life Sciences: Value Chain (1.5 credits; Must take both BUS-X 518 & BUS-X 519)
The Information Systems (IS) concentration prepares students for entry-level and mid-career positions—such as systems analysts, consultants, Webmasters, and database managers—in the exciting, evolving, and rapidly growing fields of computing and communication technologies as they apply to public organizations. The IS concentration builds on a solid core of three courses and provides the flexibility to add three more electives from a wide range of course offerings. Students are encouraged to combine the IS concentration with other concentrations to strengthen their technical skills in a variety of applied areas. Students may not use MPA core courses to fulfill concentration requirements.
REQUIREMENTS: (6 credit hours)
The following two courses are required:
SPEA-I 516: Public Management Information Systems
SPEA-I 519: Database Management Systems
ELECTIVES: (9 credit hours)
In consultation with a concentration advisor, select three courses from the following information systems application groups. (Note: Two of the courses must be from group I, II, or III).
Group I – Geographic Information Systems Electives
SPEA-E 518: Vector-based Geographic Information Systems
SPEA-E 529: Application of Geographic Information Systems *Prerequisite: E518, or other introductory GIS course with lab, or equivalent practical experience
Group II – Decision Support and Analysis Electives
SPEA-E 560: Environmental Risk Analysis *Prerequisite: E538, V506, or consent of instructor. A firm foundation in math and/or science is useful. Carries capstone credit for MPA-MSES.
SPEA-P 507: Data Analysis and Modeling for Public Affairs *Prerequisite: E538 or V506
SPEA-P 539: Management Science for Public Affairs *Prerequisite: E538 or V506
SPEA-P 541: Benefit-Cost Analysis *Prerequisite: V517 or consent of instructor
SPEA-P 562: Public Program Evaluation *Prerequisite: V506 or equivalent coursework
SPEA-V 550: Data Science in Public and Environmental Affairs (Will be offered as I515 in future semesters)
Group III – Design and Management of Information Systems Electives
SPEA-I 611: Design of Information Systems *Prerequisite: I516 and I519
SPEA-M 602: Strategic Management of Public and Nonprofit Organizations
Group IV – Networking and Telecommunications Electives
*BUS-S 515: Foundations of Business Telecommunications
*ILS-Z 525: Government Information
*ILS-Z 532: Information Architecture for the Web
*ILS-Z 643: The Information Industry
*Registration in courses outside of O’Neill requires an Outside-Program Course Request Form (may be obtained in the Forms section of the Current Student Portal) approved by the appropriate Faculty Program Director. Please refer to the page outlining the policy on outside course substitutions.
Group V – Additional Options
Graduate courses that address issues in information technology, such as programming and the digital economy, are offered in other units such as the Kelley School of Business and the School of Informatics, Computing, and Engineering. Students may elect to take one of these electives (3 credit hours) in an outside unit with the approval of a concentration advisor and the appropriate Faculty Program Director.
The International Development concentration in the Master of Public Affairs is designed to provide students with a policy-focused understanding of international development and will introduce students to topics such as economic programming and planning, political economy, conflict and post-conflict recovery, sustainable development, international organizations, governance and business activities. Students may not use MPA core courses to fulfill concentration requirements.
REQUIREMENTS: (6 credit hours)
Students choose two of the following three courses:
SPEA-D 573: Development Economics
SPEA-D 578: Introduction to Comparative and International Affairs
SPEA-D 669: Economic Development, Globalization, and Entrepreneurship *Prerequisite: V517, a course in urban economics, or consent of instructor
ELECTIVES: (9 credit hours)
In consultation with a concentration advisor, students choose three electives from Groups I and II where at least one course (3 credit hours) is from Group I (methods). If all three courses are taken from the list above, the third course will count in Group II electives.
Group I: Methods
SPEA-E 518: Vector-based Geographic Information Systems
SPEA-P 507:Data Analysis and Modeling for Public Affairs *Prerequisite: E538 or V506
SPEA-P 541:Benefit-Cost Analysis
SPEA-P 562:Public Program Evaluation *Prerequisite: V506 or equivalent coursework
Group II: Other Electives
SPEA-D 548: US Foreign Policy and Third World Regimes
SPEA-D 576: Approaches to Development
SPEA-D 577: International Economic Strategies and Trade Policy
SPEA-D 583: Conflict and Development
SPEA-M 575: Comparative Public Management & Administration
SPEA-M 654: Public Program Management and Contracting
SPEA-N 524: Civil Society in Comparative Perspective
SPEA-N 534: NGO Management for International Development
SPEA-R 535: International Environmental Policy
SPEA-R 563: Corporate Sustainability in a Tri-Sectoral World
SPEA-S 596: Sustainable Development *Prerequisite: V517 or equivalent coursework
SPEA-V 550: Latin American Governance
SPEA-V 559: Principles and Practices of Social Entrepreneurship
The Local Government Management (LGM) concentration prepares students for entry-level and mid-career management and policy positions in local government. Course work includes a local government management core required of all students and a selection of advanced electives. Students should consult with a faculty concentration advisor to choose the advanced electives best suited to their interests. Students may not use MPA core courses to fulfill concentration requirements.
REQUIREMENTS: (9 credit hours)
The following three courses are required:
SPEA-L 564: Local Governance
SPEA-L 568: Management of Local Government Services
SPEA-M 561: Public Human Resources Management
ELECTIVES: (6 credit hours)
Advanced Local Government Concentration Electives – In consultation with a concentration advisor, select two of the following courses or other graduate courses approved as substitutions.
AADM-Y 500: Cultural Districts and Local Arts Policy
AADM-Y 504: Arts Administration in the Public and Private Sectors
SPEA-F 610: Government Budgeting and Program Analysis *Prerequisite: F560
SPEA-I 515: Data Science for Public and Environmental Affairs
SPEA-I 516: Public Management Information Systems
SPEA-L 563: Planning and Community Development
SPEA-L 622: Local Economic Development
SPEA-M 547: Negotiation and Dispute Resolution for Public Affairs
SPEA-M 570: Public Sector Labor Relations
SPEA-M 575: Comparative Public Management & Administration
SPEA-M 602: Strategic Management in Public and Nonprofit Organizations
SPEA-M 652: Managing Workforce Diversity in Public Organizations
SPEA-M 654: Public Program Management and Contracting
SPEA-N 521: The Nonprofit & Voluntary Sector
SPEA-N 523: Civil Society & Public Policy
SPEA-P 541: Benefit-Cost Analysis *Prerequisite: V517 or consent of instructor
SPEA-P 562: Public Program Evaluation *Prerequisite: V506 or equivalent coursework
SPEA-R 563: Corporate Sustainability in a Tri-Sectoral World
The Nonprofit Management concentration equips students with the skills to effectively manage and lead nonprofit organizations through a local grounding in the legal structure and functions of nonprofits, and to apply the analytic and managerial tools that support effective nonprofit operation. Students may not use MPA core courses to fulfill concentration requirements.
REQUIREMENTS: (6 credit hours)
The following two courses are required:
SPEA-N 521: The Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector SPEA-N 525: Management in the Nonprofit Sector *Prerequisite: N521- Nonprofit management students must take N521 before N525
ELECTIVES: (9 credit hours)
In consultation with a concentration advisor, select three courses (9 credit hours) from the following lists. At least one course must come from Group I (nonprofit management). Up to three courses may come from Group I (nonprofit management). Up to two courses may come from Group II (additional management skills). Only one course may come from Group III (nonprofit areas). Relevant substitutions may be made in Groups II and III with a faculty advisor’s approval.
Elective Group I – Nonprofit Management: At least 1-3 nonprofit management courses may count toward the three electives.
SPEA-F 526: Financial Management for Nonprofit Organizations
SPEA-M 504: Public Organizations
SPEA-M 602: Strategic Management of Public and Nonprofit Organizations
SPEA-N 522: Human Resource Management in Nonprofit Organizations
SPEA-N 523: Civil Society and Public Policy
SPEA-N 524: Civil Society in Comparative Perspective
SPEA-N 534: NGO Management for International Development
SPEA-N 557: Proposal Development and Grant Management
SPEA-N 558: Fund Development for Nonprofits
SPEA-V 559: Principles and Practices of Social Entrepreneurship
*LAW-B 569: Nonprofit Organizations (Consult with Law)
*LAW-B 761: Law and Philanthropy (Consult with Law)
Elective Group II – Additional Management Skills:In consultation with a concentration advisor, up to two additional management skills courses may count toward the three electives. Substitutions can be made with a faculty advisor’s approval.
SPEA-I 515: Data Science for Public and Environmental Affairs
SPEA-I 516: Public Management Information Systems
SPEA-M 547: Negotiation & Dispute Resolution for Public Affairs
SPEA-M 652: Managing Workforce Diversity in Public Organizations
SPEA-M 654: Public Program Management and Contracting
SPEA-M 662: Seminar in Accountability and Performance *Prerequisite: V535
SPEA-P 541: Benefit-Cost Analysis *Prerequisite: V517 or consent of instructor
SPEA-P 562: Public Program Evaluation *Prerequisite: V506 or equivalent coursework
Elective Group III – Nonprofit Areas: In consultation with a concentration advisor, one course in a nonprofit area may count toward the three electives.
AADM-Y 500: Cultural Districts & Local Arts Policy
AADM-Y 511: Performing Arts Center Management
AADM-Y 525: Museum Management
AADM-Y 559: Public Policy and the Arts
SPEA-D 573: Development Economics
SPEA-D 576: Approaches to Development
SPEA-D 577: International Economic Strategies and Trade Policy
SPEA-D 669: Economic Development, Globalization, and Entrepreneurship *Prerequisite: V517, a course in urban economics, or consent of instructor
SPEA-H 549: Health Policy
SPEA-L 568: Management of Local Government Services
SPEA-L 622: Local Economic Development
SPEA-R 563: Corporate Sustainability in a Tri-Sectoral World
The Policy Analysis concentration combines an understanding of the policy process with the skills to create and consume accurate and actionable research and information designed to address public policy problems.
Concentration requirements emphasize the acquisition of quantitative and analytic skills that may be used to inform public policy decisions. The Policy Analysis field electives aim to provide students with additional skills used for policy analysis, and/or to provide students with the contextual knowledge needed to analyze policies in a substantive area. The electives change frequently, and often include topics courses as well as courses in a wide variety of policy areas: health, economic development, education, social policy, transportation, energy, etc. In general, this substantive knowledge component requires more than one course in the same area. Consequently, it is important that the plan include earlyconsultation with a concentration advisor.
Students may also acquire this substantive knowledge by combining the Policy Analysis concentration with other concentrations. For example, dual concentrations in Policy Analysis and Sustainable Development would prepare one to do work in sustainability with a more analytical approach. As in all concentrations, students may not use MPA Core courses to fulfill concentration requirements.
REQUIREMENTS: (9 credit hours)
The following three courses are required:
SPEA-P 507: Data Analysis and Modeling for Public Affairs *Prerequisite: E538 or V506
SPEA-P 541: Benefit-Cost Analysis *Prerequisite: V517 or consent of instructor
SPEA-P 562: Public Program Evaluation *Prerequisite: V506 or equivalent coursework
ELECTIVES: (6 credit hours)
In consultation with a concentration advisor, select two courses from the list below:
AADM-Y 500: Cultural Districts and Local Arts Policy
AADM-Y 559: Public Policy and the Arts
SPEA-D 573: Development Economics
SPEA-D 577: International Economic Strategies and Trade Policy
SPEA-D 583: Conflict and Development
SPEA-D 669: Economic Development, Globalization, and Entrepreneurship *Prerequisite: V517, a course in urban economics, or consent of instructor
SPEA-E 574: Energy Systems in Transition
SPEA-F 526: Financial Management for Nonprofit Organizations
SPEA-F 542: Governmental Financial Accounting and Reporting *Prerequisite: or Corequisite: F560
SPEA-F 609: Seminar in Public Revenue Theory and Administration *Prerequisite: F560
SPEA-F 610: Government Budgeting and Program Analysis *Prerequisite: F560
SPEA-F 667: Seminar in Public Capital and Debt Theory *Prerequisite: F560
SPEA-H 524: Health Industry Regulation
SPEA-H 525: Health Economics
SPEA-H 526: Healthcare Finance
SPEA-H 549: Health Policy
SPEA-I 515: Data Science for Public and Environmental Affairs
SPEA-L 568: Management of Local Government Services
SPEA-L 622: Local Economic Development
SPEA-M 547: Negotiation and Dispute Resolution for Public Affairs
SPEA-N 521: The Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector
SPEA-N 523: Civil Society and Public Policy
SPEA-N 557: Proposal Development & Grant Administration
SPEA-P 539: Management Science for Public Affairs *Prerequisite: E538 or V506
SPEA-R 535: International Environmental Policy
SPEA-R 564: Environmental and Natural Resource Policy Design and Implementation *Prerequisite: V517
SPEA-R 625: Environmental Economics and Policy *Prerequisite: V517
SPEA-R 626: Energy Justice and Policy Seminar *Prerequisite: E574
SPEA-R 643: Natural Resource Management and Policy
SPEA-R 645: Environmental Law
SPEA-R 674: Energy Economics and Policy *Prerequisite: V517
The Public Financial Administration concentration develops technical skills necessary for budget analysis, preparation, and operation; analysis and application of tax policy; and public financial planning. Students may not use MPA core courses to fulfill concentration requirements.
REQUIREMENTS: (9 credit hours)
Group I – In consultation with a concentration advisor, select at least three of the following courses:
SPEA-F 609: Seminar in Revenue Theory and Administration *Prerequisite: F560
SPEA-F 610: Government Budget and Program Analysis *Prerequisite: F560
SPEA-F 667: Seminar in Public Capital and Debt Theory *Prerequisite: F560
SPEA-P 562: Public Program Evaluation *Prerequisite: V506 or equivalent coursework
ELECTIVES: (6 credit hours)
Group II – In consultation with a concentration advisor, select one of the following courses:
SPEA-F 542: Governmental Financial Accounting and Reporting *Prerequisite or Corequisite: F560
SPEA-P 541: Benefit-Cost Analysis *Prerequisite: V517 or consent of instructor
Group III – In consultation with a concentration advisor, select one of the following courses or other graduate courses approved as equivalent substitutions (any student that takes 15 credits from Groups I and II does not need to take a course from Group III):
SPEA-F 542: Governmental Financial Accounting and Reporting *Prerequisite or Corequisite: F560
SPEA-F 666: Public Revenue
SPEA-H 526: Healthcare Finance
SPEA-I 516: Public Management Information Systems
SPEA-P 507: Data Analysis and Modeling for Public Affairs *Prerequisite: E538 or V506
SPEA-P 541: Benefit-Cost Analysis *Prerequisite: V517 or consent of instructor
SPEA-P 562: Public Program Evaluation *Prerequisite: V506 or equivalent coursework
The Public Management concentration is designed to teach students to manage and lead using the knowledge, systems, skills, and tools necessary to effectively pursue the missions of public organizations. Upon completing the concentration requirements, students will understand the political, legal, and social context in which public policies are adopted, implemented and evaluated; the role of public bureaucracy in a democratic society; the goals, structures, processes and behavior observed within public organizations; and the core administrative functions performed by public managers and employees. Students may not use MPA core courses to fulfill concentration requirements.
REQUIREMENTS: (9 credit hours)
In consultation with a concentration advisor, select at least three of the following courses. Students taking more than three of these classes may substitute the additional courses taken from this list for a concentration elective (see below).
SPEA-M 561: Public Human Resources Management
SPEA-M 602: Strategic Management in Public and Nonprofit Organizations
SPEA-M 654: Public Program Management and Contracting
SPEA-M 662: Seminar in Accountability and Performance *Prerequisite: V535
SPEA-P 562: Public Program Evaluation *Prerequisite: V506 or equivalent coursework
ELECTIVES: (6 credit hours)
In consultation with a concentration advisor, select two of the following courses.
SPEA-F 610: Government Budgeting and Program Analysis *Prerequisite: F560
SPEA-I 515: Data Science for Public and Environmental Affairs
SPEA-I 516: Public Management Information Systems
SPEA-L 568: Management of Local Government Services
SPEA-M 518: Intergovernmental Systems Management
SPEA-M 547: Negotiation and Dispute Resolution for Public Affairs
SPEA-M 570: Public Sector Labor Relations
SPEA-M 575: Comparative Public Management & Administration
SPEA-M 652: Managing Workforce Diversity in Public Organizations
SPEA-P 541: Benefit-Cost Analysis *Prerequisite: V517 or consent of instructor
SPEA-R 563: Corporate Sustainability in a Tri-Sectoral World
SPEA-R 564: Environmental and Natural Resource Policy Design and Implementation *Prerequisite: V517
SPEA-V 550: Latin American Governance
SPEA-V 640: Law, Public Management, and Public Policy (Limited offerings – plan accordingly)
In the Sustainability and Sustainable Development Concentration, students study the relations among productive activity and social and environmental impacts. They consider the role of markets and related institutions in the efficient and equitable delivery of goods and services, and develop skills to analyze and address the systematic strengths and weaknesses in the various social systems. Students examine the many factors, including social, economic, legal and political forces that promote or deter sustainability. The concentration encourages students to examine the interrelationship of environmental and social systems, the regenerative capacity of both, and the institutional change that will be required to develop greater sustainability. Graduates will be prepared for employment in government and international programs, corporate sustainability offices, and not-for-profit sustainability campaigns.Students may not use MPA core courses to fulfill concentration requirements.
REQUIREMENTS: (3 credit hours)
In consultation with a concentration advisor, choose one of the following three courses:
SPEA-R 563: Corporate Sustainability in a Tri-Sectoral World
SPEA-S 515: Sustainable Communities
SPEA-S 596: Sustainable Development *Prerequisite: V517 or equivalent coursework
ELECTIVES: (12 credit hours)
Group I – Context for Sustainability (6 credit hours): In consultation with a concentration advisor, select two courses from ONE of the following areas:
Development, Policy and Entrepreneurship
SPEA-D 576: Approaches to Development
SPEA-D 669: Economic Development, Globalization, and Entrepreneurship *Prerequisite: V517, a course in urban economics, or consent of instructor
SPEA-E 530: Fundamentals of Sustainable Agriculture
SPEA-L 622: Local Economic Development
SPEA-R 511: Food Policy in a Changing World
SPEA-R 512: Energy and Climate: Law and Policy
SPEA-R 516: Agriculture Policy for Climate & Environment
SPEA-R 517: Environmental Justice
SPEA-R 532: Water Policy and Economics *Prerequisite: V517
SPEA-R 535: International Environmental Policy
SPEA-R 563: Corporate Sustainability in a Tri-Sectoral World
SPEA-R 625: Environmental Economics and Policy *Prerequisite: V517
SPEA-R 643: Natural Resource Management and Policy
SPEA-R 674: Energy Economics and Policy *Prerequisite: V517
SPEA-S 515: Sustainable Communities
SPEA-S 596: Sustainable Development *Prerequisite: V517 or equivalent coursework
SPEA-E 557: Conservation Biology *Prerequisite: E527 or waiver of E527
SPEA-E 591: Climate Change Impacts on Natural Resources *Prerequisite: graduate course in ecology, environmental policy, or environmental management, or a waiver of one of these
Environmental Protection
SPEA-E 515: Fundamentals of Air Pollution *Recommended: E536
Students are encouraged to select courses that lead to expertise in a particular context.
Group II – Analytical Tools (6 credit hours): In consultation with a concentration advisor, select two of the following courses or other graduate courses approved as equivalent substitutions:
SPEA-E 511: Sustainability Assessment
SPEA-E 518: Vector-Based Geographic Information Systems
SPEA-E 529: Application of Geographic Information Systems *Prerequisite: E518, or other introductory GIS course with lab, or equivalent practical experience
SPEA-M 547: Negotiation and Dispute Resolution for Public Affairs
SPEA-P 507: Data Analysis and Modeling for Public Affairs *Prerequisite: E538 or V506
SPEA-P 541: Benefit-Cost Analysis *Prerequisite: V517 or consent of instructor
SPEA-P 562: Public Program Evaluation *Prerequisite: V506 or equivalent coursework
A student, whose educational and professional goals are not satisfied by O’Neill’s concentrations, may design a Specialized Concentration that best suits his or her needs in consultation with a faculty and/or concentration advisor with final approval required by the relevant Faculty Program Director(s). The student, the student’s faculty and/or concentration advisor, and the appropriate Faculty Program Director must sign a Specialized Concentration Form that specifies the courses that will comprise the customized concentration. This form is available in the Forms section of the Current Student Portal. The completed Specialized Concentration Form must be submitted prior to enrolling in the courses outlined. The concentration must be declared within the first 24 credit hours of the student’s academic program.
MPA specialized concentrations consist of a minimum of 15 credit hours.
Although no specific guidelines exist for the courses to be included in a Specialized Concentration, students must take O’Neill courses unless approved by a faculty and/or concentration advisor(s) and the appropriate Faculty Program Director(s). Students must name their Specialized Concentration. However, these names will not appear on their IU transcript. Instead, after “Major” the words “Specialized Study” will appear.
Each candidate for the MPA degree must obtain professionally relevant experience through one of three options. See the Policies & Procedures page for more details.
SPEA-V 585
Practicum in Public Affairs
MPA Requirement IV: Electives (0-9 credit hours)
Students will take general elective credits to reach the required 48 credit hours. All master’s-level O’Neill IUB courses are eligible to count towards general elective credits. If a student enrolls in an internship for credit or receives a Prior Experience credit reduction, they may not need to enroll in general elective credits. Students should confer with their advisor(s) before registration each term to ensure they are making progress toward completing all degree requirements.
