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Department of Political Science -- Public Affairs
Program
Department The Program The Master of Arts in Public Affairs is designed to educate students to work effectively in the American public policy process. Graduates should be prepared to make significant contributions within the private and/or public sectors of American society. The program provides the foundation for productive participation in organizations that are dedicated to the development, implementation, and evaluation of public policies in the United States. A set of perspectives that are valuable to persons in the private policy system is made accessible through graduate course work. It is expected that the typical graduate will function within public organizations at the national, state, or local levels. However, the skills and expertise that are developed in the program will enhance the ability of the graduate to contribute to the success of non-profit and for-profit organizations in the private sector whose activities involve intense interactions with the public policy system. The program is designed to serve students who hold the bachelor's degree in any field. The program is organized primarily to serve the individual who has significant work and/or life experience after the completion of an undergraduate degree program. Instruction in the program assumes the level of intellectual development and maturity expected of an above average college graduate. The goals and interests of students rather than subject matter expertise are the primary criteria for the selection of students for participation in this program of instruction. The program emphasizes theoretical, practical, and methodological issues critical to public policy in the American polity. The norms of public service, sound governance, effective analysis, and knowledgeable evaluation are central to the design of the program. Therefore, the acquisition of relevant skills in quantitative and qualitative analyses are central expectations for all students who complete the program. The Master of Arts requires 36 hours of approved graduate course work. Twelve hours of foundation courses are required (PSC 500 The American Polity, PSC 501 The Public Policy Process, PSC 510 Public Management Profession: Theory and Practice, and PSC 635 Methodological Issues and Public Policy). In addition course work in the following areas is required: 3 hours in Value Issues, 6 hours in Structures and Processes, 3 hours in Specialized Issues, 6 hours of electives, and either 6 hours of thesis or Internship in Government (3 hours) plus one elective. Admission Requirements The department follows the general requirements of
the School of Graduate Studies. For unconditional admission, a score
of 50 on the Miller Analogies Test, plus an overall grade point average
of 3.0 or better, is required. |
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