9 MPA Program Requirements (48 credit hours)

 

MPA Requirement I: Core (24 credit hours)

 

Courses	Notes
SPEA-F 560 Public Finance and Budgeting	3 credits
SPEA-V 506 Statistical Analysis for Effective Decision Making	3 credits
SPEA-V 512 Public Policy Process OR SPEA-V 538 Comparative and International Policy Process	3 credits
SPEA-V 517 Public Management Economics	3 credits
SPEA-V 532 Social Equity and Justice	1.5 credits
SPEA-V 535 Managing and Leading Public Affairs	3 credits
SPEA-V 536 Rights and Responsibilities: How Law Shapes Public Affairs	1.5 credits
SPEA-V 537 Designing and Managing Complex Projects	1.5 credits
SPEA-V 548 Evidence-Based Decision-Making	1.5 credits
SPEA-V 600 Capstone in Public and Environmental Affairs	3 credits, last semester course

 

MPA core and elective classes develop the skills applicable for analysis and management in any organization, whether it is a government, nonprofit organization, or a private enterprise. Core classes should generally be completed during the student’s first year, while Capstone is to be completed in the last year—either spring or fall semester.

 

SPEA-V 600: Capstone in Public and Environmental Affairs

 

All Master of Public Affairs students complete a semester-long Capstone project committed to problem solving for a client organization. Each Capstone section is a group project in which students with different backgrounds and skills work together in a collaborative learning format. Each section’s topic is determined by the faculty member offering the course. Topics integrate management, policy, finance, and/or science/technology in an interdisciplinary framework and involve perspectives developed in all the O’Neill concentrations. The Capstone is part of the Core and not an element of any specific concentration. While the other five Core courses are taken early in the MPA program, the Capstone is taken in the final semester of coursework. The Capstone is an integral part of the MPA program; as such, it is not possible to waive this course.

 

The focus on a work product for a specific client requires students to inform themselves quickly about new and complex subject areas, to master problem solving, project management, and team skills, and develop the confidence to tackle problems and situations they may encounter in professional life after O’Neill.

 

 

 

 

MPA Requirement II: Concentration (15 credit hours)

 

MPA students must complete a concentration. They must select at least one of the 13 concentrations described in the pages that follow. Students may choose to pursue more than one concentration, which is possible when double counting electives. Students should confer with concentration advisor(s) prior to registration.

 

Students taking a concentration course in their first semester instead of a core course should consult with an academic advisor. Students wishing to pursue multiple concentrations are encouraged to see concentration advisors in both areas. Students choosing to pursue a “Specialized Study” should consult with a faculty and/or concentration advisor. In this case, students should work closely with an advisor to develop a cohesive design for consideration and final approval by the relevant Faculty Program Director(s).

 

MPA Requirement III: Experiential (0-6 credit hours)

 

Each candidate for the MPA degree must obtain professionally relevant experience through one of the following options.

Internship – Students who are ready to complete an internship should consult with their academic advisor regarding the number of credits the student should register for and to confirm what degree requirements the internship may satisfy.  Additionally, students must consult the Career Hub before the internship begins. The Career Hub will provide details concerning eligibility, procedures and required paperwork.

 

• Registered Internship (0-6 credit hours) –To satisfy the MPA experiential requirement with an internship during the degree program, students must register for zero to six credits of SPEA-V 585 Practicum in Public Affairs. The amount of credit hours granted is determined by the number of hours worked. A student must work for 120 hours for zero and one credit, while each credit hour thereafter is earned by working an additional 80 hours. To satisfy the requirement, students must complete the proper paperwork with the Career Hub before starting an internship and must complete all progress reports and other required paperwork during the internship. In addition, Indiana University policy states “registration for the internship should be placed in the session during which the external event or experience on which it is based occurs.”  Internships that have been completed in the past cannot be registered for a current or future term.
• Research internships are also an option, with a supervising O’Neill faculty member or a researcher, agency, or organization outside O’Neill. Further details are available with the Career Hub. 

 

Internships for International Students – International students seeking to fulfill the experiential component should consult with Indiana University’s Office of International Services (OIS) to make sure they meet all necessary guidelines for participation. Please follow the links offered to read more about qualifications.

 

Curricular Practical Training (CPT): https://ois.iu.edu/student-employment/work-authorization/f1/curricular.html

 

Academic Training: https://ois.iu.edu/student-employment/work-authorization/j1/academic.html

 

International students will generally be approved for one internship and CPT request per degree program (e.g. an MPA student will likely be approved for one internship, and an MPA-MSES student will likely be approved for two internships even though the dual program only requires one internship). CPT requests are approved by OIS and therefore must be proven as integral to the student’s degree program(s). Therefore, any additional CPT requests outside of the one required to complete the experiential component of O’Neill degrees must be well-supported and will need to be approved by MPO staff and the designated Faculty Program Director. Please contact the MPO at agoneill@indiana.edu for any questions or inquiries.

 

• Prior Experience (PE) – A student’s experiential requirement may be satisfied through Prior Experience (PE). There are three categories of PE (Professional, Military, and Volunteer). If a student is granted credit for PE, the experiential requirement is automatically satisfied. Credit is granted for experience gained prior to taking courses in an O’Neill graduate degree program. No more than 9 credits will be granted for any combination of PE waivers. Applications for the different types of PE can be found online via the Current Student Portal in the Forms section. Completed forms should be returned to the O’Neill Graduate Records Office (SPEA A328 or oneillrc@indiana.edu) so they may be advanced to the appropriate Faculty Program Director for review and potential award of credit. Students are strongly encouraged to submit applications for PE within the first 24 credit hours. Please see an academic advisor for counsel and questions/concerns.

 

MPA Requirement IV: Electives (0-9 credit hours)

 

Students will take general elective credits to reach the required 48 credit hours. All master’s-level O’Neill IUB courses are eligible to count towards general elective credits. If a student enrolls in internship for credit or receives a Prior Experience credit reduction, they may not need to enroll in general elective credits. Students should confer with their advisor(s) prior to registration each term to ensure they are making progress toward completing all degree requirements.