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MPA Program Overview

Unique perspectives on public service

Program Mission

The mission of the Norwich University Master of Public Administration program is to provide students with a base of knowledge of the principles and concepts of fair, just, and ethical public administration appropriate for the leader of an organization providing public services. The program will also refine students' skills in integration, research, writing, and critical analysis while motivating students to adopt administrative best practices and data-based operations and programs for the use of resources, technology and personnel in public organizations.

Program Goals

Students will demonstrate familiarity with the history and foundations of public policy, the roles of public administrators, and the nature and scope of governmental relations between the federal, state and local entities.
Students will exhibit graduate level skills in using online sources, integration of principles of public services administration, critical analysis and writing in the process of creating policies, evaluating programs, and creating strategic plans for public organizations.
Students will demonstrate awareness of the principles and concepts of human resources, financial management, organizational leadership, and ethical issues best practices applicable to the effective operation of public organizations.
Students will exhibit knowledge of the principles of public enterprise continuity management and best practices for public organizations.
Students will exhibit an awareness of the role of law as applied to public access of official records, the role of public participation, and the effect of civil rights and state laws of liability on the operation of public organizations.
Students will create or evaluate a public service program, operation or policy.

Additional Features

The online MPA is a logical choice for the public services professional; it allows you to take a quality program of graduate work without uprooting your home or leaving your job; it serves as a substitute for years of operational experience in order to compete effectively for career opportunities; and it equips you with the latest information dealing with leadership, legal liability, management, human resources management, budgeting, information integration and information assurance. Many professionals who complete the MPA program find that their degree opens the door to promotion, new assignments, teaching, or to a continuation of studies in a doctoral program.

The MPA program is structured as follows:

Four start dates per year; March, June, September or December
Six credits for each of the six, eleven-week seminars
The course of study is 18 months; date of graduation depends on your start date
One-week residency and graduation
Online, highly experiential, asynchronous curricular activities include threaded discussions, reading, writing, and workplace-oriented assignments

The pace for each seminar is designed with busy schedules in mind

Additional flexibility is built into each of the six seminars in the MPA program. Usually you can opt to skip a certain number of written assignments and discussions-typically a seminar will require you to complete five of seven written assignments and five of seven discussions. You have the ability to factor in the demands of your personal life or professional duties in meeting the program schedule. The structure of our online classrooms also helps accommodate your schedule as online discussions are asynchronous. This format affords you extra time to contemplate questions and compose well-crafted responses. As interactive discussions are required, you will benefit from the exchange of ideas and thoughts among your peers and faculty.

Cohorts create strong bonds of support

One of the strongest features of the MPA program is the cohort. Every student progresses through the program in small classes called cohorts. Each cohort is limited to 16 students or less to enhance the interaction between the instructor and the students and among the students themselves. The cohesive nature of each cohort, coupled with the varying backgrounds of its members, adds immense value to the learning experience, making it far richer than a traditional classroom environment.

Dedicated MPA staff work directly with you

Not only do you receive the support of your peers in your cohort, but you have the full support of the MPA staff. The Norwich tradition is teamwork, and nowhere is that more evident than in the collaboration between students and staff. All members of the MPA staff are either graduates of the MPA program, another of the Norwich graduate programs, or they are currently enrolled in one. They know first-hand the challenges that you will face, and they understand what kind of support you will need to complete the program successfully. They also serve as advisors to the Program Director in matters relating to curriculum and teaching tools.

Class Size

Small class sizes (not more than 16 students) ensure you receive individualized attention directly from faculty. You also develop close relationships with fellow learners from around the world as you interact with them creating a vast network of professional contacts.

Access to extensive resources

The Kreitzberg Library serves all Norwich University students and faculty, whether online or on-campus. The library currently provides access to 100 online databases, 22,000 full-text electronic journals and tens of thousands of e-Books. In addition, the library provides books in print and journal articles when those resources are unavailable online. The reference staff provides research assistance through e-mail, phone, and instant messaging. A dedicated Distance Learning Librarian is also available to show you how to get the most out of the library's resources.

A trusted and respected institution

Norwich is proud of its rich tradition of innovation in education dating back to the university's founding in 1819. We have decades of experience in delivering distance education to adult learners. Norwich University is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Inc., through its Commission on Institutions of Higher Education.