Attend an Information Session
Meet some of our faculty and current students to learn more about how our MPA degree can help you meet your career goals by attending an on-campus information session on March 27, 2024 at 4:00 p.m. (Eastern time) in North Quad 260 (NQ 260). If you cannot attend in person, you may participate via Zoom.
By attending this session, we will waive the $60 Ball State University Graduate School application fee. Once registered, you will receive more details about this offer.
If you are an international student wishing to learn about the program, you should wait to register for the session in November. A link for this session will be posted in late October.
Register
If you already have a bachelor’s degree and want to prepare for a career in public management at a government agency or nonprofit organization, then a master of public administration (MPA) is the right choice for you. Our program blends the study of politics and administration with the techniques of modern management.
Six interdisciplinary options allow you to design a course of study targeted to your career goals:
- Information and Communication Technology
- Social Issues & Policy
- Urban Planning
- Adult Education
- Community Education
- Customized Course of Study
Program Learning Outcomes
At the completion of the MPA program, students will be able to:
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Apply concepts from public and nonprofit administration and related fields of study.
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Set goals, develop strategies, lead people, and manage organizational resources in the public interest.
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Identify and analyze public policy problems, enumerate solutions, evaluate alternative policies, and communicate results.
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Understand how public service values such as integrity and accountability should guide decision making.
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Gather data, correctly analyze it, and apply the analysis to produce policy and program recommendations.
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Develop writing, speaking, and listening skills appropriate for intra-organizational and inter-organizational communication.
Program Benefits
Choose a course of study that best fits your interests and goals with our three options and an optional thesis.
If you attend full time, you can complete the program in two academic years.
Evening classes allow working professionals to attend classes on a part-time basis.
Our 14-full-time faculty specialize in:
- public administration and policy
- American government and politics
- political theory
- international relations
- comparative politics
The Bowen Center for Public Affairs features opportunities for:
- civic engagement
- public management training
- election administration
- experience in state and local politics and public opinion
Program Requirements
Our three options, offered in collaboration with other departments on campus, allow you to gain substantive training in a specific policy area to complement your learning about public and nonprofit administration and policy.
All MPA students take the following required courses:
- POLS 648 Policy Design and Advocacy
- POLS 650 Introduction to Public and Nonprofit Administration
- POLS 651 Managing Organizations for Public Service
- POLS 652 Managing Human Resources for Public Service
- POLS 653 Public and Nonprofit Financial Management
- POLS 625 Research Methods in Political Science
- A thesis or non-thesis research option
Students without appropriate professional experience will be required to complete a full-time internship for credit. Other coursework depends on which interdisciplinary option you choose.
Adult Education
Adult Education Concentration
The Adult Education concentration will prepare you to work with government agencies and non-profit organizations dealing with issues surrounding the changing needs of a modern economy. Adults both in and outside of Indiana need access to training and retraining in order to deal with the economic changes caused by globalization.
Total Credits
36-39
Specialized Courses
The specialized courses you will take include:
- EDAC 631 Adult and Community Education
- EDAC 655 Continuing Education for Professionals
- EDAC 634 The Adult as a Learner
- EDAC 635 Strategies for Teaching Adults
For a complete list of all classes you will take and their descriptions, please see our Course Catalog.
View Catalog
Community Education
Community Education Concentration
The Community Education concentration is ideal for those interested in issues of education program design and management. This concentration features classes centered around real world, project-based learning that puts theory into practice in our community.
Total Credits
36-39
Specialized Courses
The specialized courses you will take include:
- EDAC 631 Adult and Community Education
- EDAC 648 The Community Educator
- EDAC 638 Program Planning in Community and Adult Education
- EDAC 646 Working with Volunteers in Community Agencies
For a complete list of all classes you will take and their descriptions, please see our Course Catalog.
View Catalog
Information & Communication Technology
Information Technology and Communication Concentration
The Information Technology and Communication concentration prepares students for IT careers in the public sector or with organizations concerned with technology policy. By blending a strong understanding of technology with practical management and problem-solving skills, this track will empower students to master challenges in information networking, wireless communication, and other advanced technologies.
Total Credits
38-41
Specialized Courses
The specialized courses you will take include:
- ICS 620 Telecom Technologies, Standards, and Lab
- ICS 621 Information Movement, Management, Storage Technologies, Standards, and Lab
- ICS 645 Evolving Database Systems
- CS 639 Seminar in Computer Science
For a complete list of all classes you will take and their descriptions, please see our Course Catalog.
View Catalog
Social Issues & Policy
Social Issues and Policy Concentration
The Social Issues and Policy concentration will prepare you for a leadership role in public or nonprofit agencies that address social problems such as opioid abuse, aging, and poverty.
If you currently work in this field and would like to further develop your skills and knowledge to advance in your field—or if you are currently an undergraduate wishing to pursue graduate study in social policy and public administration—this program is a perfect fit for you.
Total Credits
36-39
Specialized Courses
The specialized courses you will take include:
- SOCW 603 Rural Social Work
- SOCW 611 Social Work Practice 1
- SOCW 621 Social Welfare Policy and Programs
- SOCW 671 Social Work with Elders
For a complete list of all classes you will take and their descriptions, please see our Course Catalog.
View Catalog
Urban Planning
Urban Planning Concentration
The Urban Planning concentration prepares students to be effective practitioners in a variety of planning-related organizations. This concentration is a perfect fit for students interested in enhancing the social, economic, and environmental conditions that improve communities.
Total Credits
36-39
Specialized Courses
The specialized courses you will take include:
- PLAN 510 Planning Law
- PLAN 606 Introduction to Urban Planning
- PLAN 607 Urban Land-use Planning
- PLAN 613 Qualitative Methods and Social Justice
For a complete list of all classes you will take and their descriptions, please see our Course Catalog.
View Catalog
Customized Course of Study
Customized Course of Study
This option lets students design a custom course of study by earning a graduate certificate that complements the MPA required courses or by selecting elective courses in political science or other fields. This option is ideal for students whose needs are not met by the other concentrations, as well as those who are still in the process of figuring out what career path they would like to pursue.
Total Credits
36-39
Specialized Courses
Students have many choices under this option. Graduate certificates that pair well with the MPA coursework include:
Or review the complete list of available graduate certificates.
For a complete list of all classes you will take and their descriptions, please see our Course Catalog.
View Catalog
Start with a Graduate Certificate
If you would like to
pursue graduate study in public administration, but are not sure if you want to
commit to a full master's degree, then you should consider our 12-hour public
administration graduate certificate. You can earn the certificate by taking
only four courses from our MPA curriculum. If you decide that you want to go on
and earn your MPA, then all coursework will count toward your degree.
Learn More
What Can You Do With a Master of Public Administration?
Earning a master of public administration (MPA) at Ball State will prepare you for a wide variety of career opportunities. Our program provides you with the skills necessary to succeed in any of the following areas:
- federal, state, or local government management
- Potential jobs include: Assistant city manager, program director, project manager, policy analyst
- nonprofit management
- Potential jobs include: Executive director, field director, operations manager
- criminal justice administration
- Potential jobs include: Police officer, customs agent, victims services specialist
- management of information technology
- Potential jobs include: Chief information officer, systems analyst, IT specialist
- political advocacy
- Potential jobs include: Community organizer, legislative advocate, director of communications
- government relations in the private sector
- Potential jobs include: Compliance officer, government relations officer, public affairs specialist
Computer Recommendations
Students entering the Department of Political Science will need to possess a personal computer. The College of Sciences and Humanities provides recommendations for the specifications student need to excel in their course work.
See Our Recommendations (PDF)
Paying for Your Education
A graduate assistantship is an excellent opportunity to gain meaningful professional experience while helping cover the costs of your degree. A limited number of graduate assistantships are available within the Political Science Department. Assistantships are also available in other units across campus. Learn more.
Ready to Apply?
Are you interested in pursuing a master of public administration? The first step is to apply as a graduate student to Ball State University. Begin the journey today.
More Information
Do you want to learn more about this program or have questions about the application process or options for funding your education? You may complete our online form to request more information. Or if you would rather speak to someone directly, please feel free to email us or call us at 765-285-8780.