Public Administration

Savannah, GA

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Degree Overview

Master of Public Administration

South University Savannah’s Master of Public Administration program can equip you with the organizational and managerial experience needed to become a leader in local, state, and national government entities and nonprofit organizations. The MPA curriculum is developed with a range of disciplines in mind to provide both foundational and specialized information of value to anyone pursuing a career in public administration. Beyond exploring the structure of political, social, and institutional systems, the program will cover topics like data analysis, budgeting, ethical decision-making, fundraising, HR and volunteer management, and leadership – all within the context of helping public and nonprofit organizations to maximize their impact and achieve their goals.
Offered in our new Online + On Campus learning format gives you the opportunity to learn alongside your peers while also still having the capacity to meet the demands you face as a professional. The first week of the quarter is spent in the classroom, getting to know classmates and faculty, followed by an alternating schedule of one week online and one week on campus.

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Admission Requirements

Admissions criteria for the Master of Public Administration (MPA)

Graduate Admissions - Masters level

Prospective students are required to submit the following:

Completion of application for admission
Official transcripts for bachelor or graduate degree within 5 weeks of the class start date (refer to Conditional Acceptance). (All credentials earned outside the United States must be evaluated by a NACES or AICE-member credential evaluation service). Please speak with an admissions representative for more information.

Note: See program notes and specific requirements below for each graduate - masters level degree program

Specific requirements for admission to classified graduate status are:

A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.
Completion of application for admission.
A 2.0 overall grade point average or higher on completed requirements for the baccalaureate degree, or an earned graduate degree from an accredited institution.

For additional admissions information please see the admissions section here.

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Course Requirements

Master of Public Administration: 48 Credits

Core: 44 Credits

MBA6501 Strategic Human Resources Management 4.0 Credit Hours

MPA5001 Foundations of Public Administration 4.0 Credit Hours

MPA5005 Public and Non-profit Organizational Behavior 4.0 Credit Hours

MPA5010 Public and Non-profit Budgeting and Accounting 4.0 Credit Hours

MPA6001 Research and Data Analysis in Public Administration 4.0 Credit Hours

MPA6100 Non-profit Fundraising and Volunteer Development 4.0 Credit Hours

MPA6105 Grant Writing and Contract Administration 4.0 Credit Hours

MPA6110 Management of Non-profit Organizations 4.0 Credit Hours

MPA6115 Program Evaluation of Public and Non-profit Organizations 4.0 Credit Hours

MPA6501 State and Local Government and Intergovernmental Relations 4.0 Credit Hours

MPA6505 Legislative and Judicial Process 4.0 Credit Hours

Capstone: 4 Credits

MPA6999 Strategic Challenges in Public Administration 4.0 Credit Hours

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Outcomes

Upon completion of the program, students will be able to:

Analyze how economic, political, legal, and social institutions influence decisions in public administration.
Examine challenges faced by public sector organizations and the potential approaches for addressing them.
Prioritize political and administrative systems to support effective governance and public service delivery.
Examine quantitative and qualitative data to guide legal and ethical decision-making in public management.
Apply leadership and management principles and practices to address challenges in public and nonprofit organizations.

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Career Outlook

These are some of the career options* you can explore when you have earned your degree:

City/County Supervisor/Manager
General and Operations Managers
Policy or Legislative Supervisor/Manager
General Managers

_{*South University does not promise or guarantee licensure, employment, or salary amounts.}

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Campuses offer flexible learning formats* including: on-campus, virtual instructions, and online courses.

*Clinical, practicum, and externship requirements exist in certain programs and require field experiences. Learning formats may not be flexible.

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Success Stories

Outstanding Education for Remarkable Careers

We're committed to helping our graduates make impact in their professional and personal lives. We applaud our nursing alumni and the difference they make. Check out what some of our graduates have to say.

Elisabeth Jackman-Knights
Class of '15
Bachelor of Business Administration-South University, Online Programs
“They (SU Instructors) would keep me on track with what classes I had upcoming and help prepare me for what to expect in the class. They would try to understand my life outside of school and make suggestions of how best to navigate the program to ensure that I was at all times poised mentally to endure the class at hand.”

Shirrelle Everett
Class of '15
Bachelor of Science in Nursing-South University, Richmond
“It took me almost ten years to realize that without an education I would be stuck working for minimum wage at dead-end jobs, I was a single mother of two children living on welfare. South University allowed me to gain the knowledge and skills needed to advance my career at my own pace. My education has enabled me to take care of my family.”

Tonya Hampton
Class of '13
Bachelor of Business Administration-South University, Online Programs
“I love being a leader. South University helped me reach my full potential in management skills. The faculty and staff always went out of their way to make sure that the University had a positive impact on its students.”

Erika Wiggins
Class of '11
Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Management-South University, Savannah
“I'm recognizing more about what I'm really capable of at South University. When you have education, you have a foundation, and you have something that will propel you to growth and strength in the world.”

Kerry L. Salinas
Class of '10
Bachelor of Science in Legal Studies-South University, Columbia
“South University offered the program I wanted, along with small classes, convenient scheduling, and easy access to the computer labs and library. It's clear that this school is in touch with the needs of working students.”