SPEA

Degree awarded: Master of Public Affairs (M.P.A.) effective fall 2013

Academic features:
The M.P.A. is a 48 credit hour degree program of the IU Northwest School of Public & Environmental Affairs. The program provides knowledge and experience that can be used by the professional in various roles within non-profit management. Degree requirements are as follows:

• V500 Quantitative Tools for Public Affairs or (Test)
• V502 Public Management
• V506 Statistical Analysis for Policy & Management
• V517 Public Management Economics
• V540 Law and Public Affairs
• V560 Public Finance and Budgeting
• V600 Capstone in Public and Environmental Affairs

Concentration Required:

• J502   Research Methods for Criminal Justice and Public Affairs
• V509  Administrative Ethics  
• V512  Public Policy 
• V521  The Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector
• V522  Human Resource Management in Nonprofit Organizations
• V525  Management in Nonprofit Organizations
• V526  Financial Management for Nonprofit Organizations

And, two (2) of the following:

• V504  Public Organizations
• V539  Management Science for Public Affairs
• V557  Proposal Development and Grant Administration
• V558  Fund Development for Nonprofit Organizations
• V562  Public Program Evaluation
• V566  Executive Leadership
• V602  Strategic Management for Public & Nonprofit Organizations

And, Electives or Mid-Career Option credits to total 48 credit hours.

Program Special Features:
The program is an interdisciplinary professional program drawing on diverse faculty talents and resources. Under the Mid-Career Option Program, a limited amount of credit may be awarded toward the degree for previous experience in the public, nonprofit, and private sectors. Students may also participate in a public affairs internship through the division's Public and Nonprofit Service Internship Program. The division is part of the Indiana University system School of Public & Environmental Affairs (SPEA). SPEA is a professional school operating programs on six Indiana University campuses. SPEA is the largest school of public affairs in the country.

Faculty Features:
You will learn from an outstanding faculty with experience working in the fields of public affairs, including human services administration. The faculty is committed to preparing professionals who will make a difference.

Accreditation Held:
National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration (NASPAA)

A few frequently asked questions:
Does the program meet the needs of part-time students? Yes, the program and scheduling of courses is designed to meet the needs of part-time as well as full-time students. All required courses are offered in the evenings or on weekends, to accommodate the needs of in-service students. Will I have the opportunity to relate classroom instruction to real-world problems? Absolutely, the faculty has real-world professional experience, and that experience is recognized in the quality of classroom instruction. Also, the internships offered by the division are outstanding, with opportunities available for graduate-level internships in all areas of concentration.

Career Options:
A concentration in human services administration prepares students for management positions in federal, state, local, and nonprofit human services agencies. Students learn to apply management processes and to work with consumer groups and elected and administrative officials. Attention is also given to procedures used by human services departments, interagency administrative units, and multi-service centers, and to the work of specialized agencies such as welfare departments, vocational rehabilitation centers, and employment and training services. The faculty is committed to helping students develop productive and rewarding careers. Faculty and staff cooperate to provide students with employment contacts. The division holds two career days each year, both of which are excellent opportunities to learn about careers in the public and nonprofit service. The outstanding internship program and the network of SPEA alumni also contribute to the career development of students.

Academic Societies:
The division maintains chapters of Alpha Phi Sigma, the national criminal justice honor society, and Pi Alpha Alpha, the national honor society for schools of public affairs and administration.