All students must meet the Requirements for the Master's Degree
Overview
The University of Vermont’s Master of Public Administration (MPA) program, housed in the Department of Community Development and Applied Economics, is a gateway to becoming an effective, innovative leader in public service. As Vermont’s only NASPAA-accredited Master’s program in public and nonprofit policy, affairs, and administration, the top-100 ranked program is essential training both emerging professionals and seasoned leaders across the Green Mountain State and beyond. More information on the MPA can be found on the Master of Public Administration website.
Specific Requirements
Requirements for Admission to Graduate Studies for the Degree of Master of Public Administration
- A baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution and record of academic success
- 3 letters of recommendation highlighting the candidate’s learning potential, motivation, and experience (academic, professional, and/or community-based are welcome)
- Current resume or curriculum vitae (CV)
- A personal statement outlining the candidate’s career goals and how an MPA from the University of Vermont aligns with their public service aspirations
- Public Administration is a transdisciplinary field and welcomes perspective students with diverse career and academic backgrounds
- For international students whose native language is not English or who have not completed undergraduate degrees in English, scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the English Language Testing System (IELTS), or Duolingo are required. The University of Vermont institution code for test scores is 3920
Minimum Degree Requirements
Successful completion of 36 credits, including:
| Requirement Description | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses: | ||
| PA 6010 | Foundations of Public Admin | 3 |
| PA 6020 | Org Theory & Behavior | 3 |
| PA 6030 | Research & Evaluation Methods | 3 |
| PA 6050 | Public and Nonprofit Budgeting | 3 |
| PA 6060 | Policy Systems | 3 |
| PA 6260 | Community Economic Development | 3 |
| PA 6750 | Public Administration Capstone | 3 |
| PA 6991 | Internship | 3 or 6 |
| An approved sequence of elective courses which may include up to 12 credits of course work from approved disciplines related to public administration | 12 | |
The internship is a graduation requirement for all students who enter the MPA without at least 1 year (12 months) of full-time professional experience in the public, nonprofit, or public affairs sector. Students who believe their prior experience fulfills this requirement can submit their resume and complete an internship waiver request form for consideration. Please note that an approved internship waiver does not eliminate or reduce any academic credit requirements.
The Public Administration Capstone is designed to provide MPA students with a summative experience that ties learning competencies to evidence drawn from their course of study. This is done through the development of a professional portfolio. This course counts as the “comprehensive exam” for the MPA.
Thesis Option
A 6-credit thesis option is available for interested students. Students who choose the thesis option are also required to complete the professional portfolio but are not required to enroll in the Capstone. Students interested in the thesis option should meet with their advisor upon entering the program to develop their plan for successful completion. Thesis students are required to assemble a three-member thesis review committee to evaluate their work following the UVM Graduate College guidelines. Students pursuing the thesis option must take 6 credits of PA 6391, which are counted towards the 36-credit requirement.
Comprehensive Examination
The Comprehensive Examination requirement is met when a student completes the Public Administration Capstone. The Public Administration Capstone is designed to provide MPA students with a summative experience that ties learning competencies to evidence drawn from their course of study.
Requirements for Advancement to Candidacy for the Degree of Master of Public Administration
36 academic credits are needed (12 courses) to earn an MPA including the following 8 core courses:
- PA 6010 Foundations of Public Administration
- PA 6020 Organizational Theory and Behavior
- PA 6030 Research and Evaluation Methods
- PA 6050 Public and Non-Profit Budgeting
- PA 6060 Policy Systems
- PA 6260 Community and Economic Development
- PA 6750 Public Administration - Capstone
- PA 6991 Internship
With guidance from their advisor, students select additional courses within the MPA program or other academic units at UVM to complete their course of study. The UVM MPA does not offer explicit specializations; however, students may pursue courses with a common thread or focus and can tailor their elective coursework to explore their interest. Students may also choose to pursue a Certificate of Graduate Studies as an additional credential to fulfill elective requirements.