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MPSA Curriculum by Semester

Master of Public Service & Administration

Master of Public Service & Administration
Curriculum | View By Semester | Tracks | Concentrations | Courses | Admissions 🗗

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The Master of Public Service and Administration (MPSA) program trains principled leaders for the public and nonprofit sectors. The MPSA degree is a 21-month program that requires 48 credit hours (16 courses total) of course work and, for those without substantial professional experience, a non-credit-bearing internship. All students take 8 degree core courses that provide general knowledge and analytical skills. Students then must choose a track in either Public Policy Analysis (PPA), Public Management (PM), or Nonprofit Management (NPM), each consisting of 4 courses (2 core courses and 2 elective courses). This leaves the student with 4 elective courses, 3 of which may be used toward a concentration, or all 4 may be used as general electives. University requirements prohibit a student in a face-to-face degree program from taking more than 49% of classes online. This means an MPSA student may only take up to 21 total hours of courses online.

Additionally, up to 2 elective courses may double-count toward a track and concentration or two concentrations. Furthermore, up to 6 credit hours of graduate or upper-undergraduate electives may be taken from other Texas A&M departments when courses are related to public service careers. Deviations from the above guidelines will require a petition or waiver form.

Curriculum for AY 2022-2023

Key: Public Policy Analysis (PPA), Public Management (PM), or Nonprofit Management (NPM)

First Year

Fall Semester

  • All Tracks
    • PSAA 601: Foundations of Public Service
    • PSAA 621: Economic Analysis
    • BUSH 631: Quantitative Methods in Public Management I
    • PSAA 643: Foundations of the Nonprofit Sector

Spring Semester

  • All Tracks
    • PSAA 611: Public Policy Formation
    • One elective course selected in consultation with faculty advisor.
  • PPA Track
    • Quantitative Methods in Public Management II Course
      BUSH 632: Quantitative Methods in Public Management II
      OR BUSH 635: Quantitative Methods in Public Management II: Policy Analysis Emphasis
    • PSAA 622: Public Finance
  • PM Track
    • Quantitative Methods II Course
      BUSH 632: Quantitative Methods in Public Management II
      OR BUSH 633: Qualitative Methods for Public Service
      OR PSAA 630: Program Evaluation in Public and Nonprofit Organizations
    • PSAA 634: Public Management
  • NPM Track
    • Quantitative Methods II Course
      BUSH 632: Quantitative Methods in Public Management II
      OR BUSH 633: Qualitative Methods for Public Service
      OR PSAA 630: Program Evaluation in Public and Nonprofit Organizations
    • PSAA 632: Fiscal Management for Nonprofits

Summer

Most students will be required to complete a Professional Internship whereby students gain practical experience by working in a public service organization.

Second Year

Fall Semester

  • All Tracks
    • PSAA 675: PSAA  Capstone Seminar I
    • Two elective courses selected in consultation with faculty advisor.*
  • PPA Track
    • PSAA 615: Policy Analysis
  • PM Track
    • PSAA 623: Budgeting in Public Service
  • NPM Track
    • PSAA 644: Management and Leadership of Nonprofit Organizations

Spring Semester

  • All Tracks
    • PSAA 676: PSAA Capstone Seminar II
    • Three elective courses selected in consultation with faculty advisor.*