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Dec 05, 2025
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2025-2026 Graduate Catalog
Master of Public Administration
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The mission of the Department of Public Administration is to advance excellence in professional public management through scholarship in teaching, research, and service. The department is committed to strengthening the knowledge and skills that enhance the management and leadership capacity of individuals pursuing public service careers.
Check departmental information for any additional requirements.
The student learning outcomes for this degree are located at http://www.niu.edu/assessment/clearinghouse/outcomes/index.shtml.
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Admission
Students seeking admission to the M.P.A. program in the Department of Public Administration must meet all of the requirements for admission to the NIU Graduate School. In addition to the standard requirements for graduate admission, the master’s program requires degree-seeking applicants to submit the following materials: - Letters of Recommendation: Three (3) letters of recommendation from individuals who can speak to the applicant’s ability to be successful in the completion of a graduate-level degree program.
- Pre-career students who have less than 2 years of full-time work experience in public affairs are required to have three letters including at least two letters of recommendation from previous instructors who can judge their ability to do graduate work. The third letter may be from an employer or volunteer organization who can speak towards their professionalism.
- Mid-career students who has been working in public affairs for three or more years (or the approval of the department chair) are required to have three letters of recommendation; one from an employer, one letter from a previous instructor (or an interview with the department chair if the applicant cannot reach former instructors), and one that can be from anyone who can provide a relevant evaluation of the applicant’s qualifications for the program.
- Statement of Purpose: This statement should be about 500-750 words in length and include:
- The nature of your interest in public affairs
- Career goals
- Why the NIU M.P.A. program is a good fit for you
- Transcripts: Transcripts for all undergraduate and graduate institutions including:
- Proof of one course in US government
- Proof of one course in statistics/discrete mathematics
- NOTE: These specific course requirements are waivable with permission of the department chair but the transcripts are still required in all cases
With the approval of the student’s advisor, a maximum combined total of 15 semester hours of graduate credit transferred from other accredited institutions plus graduate credit earned in courses at Northern Illinois University as a student-at-large may be counted toward meeting the requirements of the M.P.A. degree. Requirements
The M.P.A. degree normally requires the completion of a minimum of 39 semester hours of approved graduate study in the public management core and a selected specialization. The student must complete a minimum of 39 semester hours of course work exclusive of internship hours. In addition to credit-hour requirements, students must also prepare and defend a capstone paper while registered for PSPA 699. Every student must complete at least 3 semester hours of PSPA 699 prior to graduation. Public/Management Core (27)
Specializations
Students must also complete the requirements of one of the following specializations, thus permitting the development of expertise in a particular field of academic and professional interests. Students must enroll in PSPA 695 for at least 4 semesters. The requirements for PSPA 695 may be waived if a student has had appropriate professional experience. Specialization in Comparative Public Service
Through a study of public administration and management in a global context, students will gain an advanced capacity to assume a leadership role and use management skills to enhance the mission of government agencies and nongovernmental organizations in the U.S. and another country. In addition to learning skills and strategies for leadership and management of U.S. agencies, students will demonstrate an advanced ability to: - Lead and manage in public governance in a country outside the U.S.,
- Participate in and contribute to the policy process in a country outside the U.S.,
- Analyze, synthesize, think critically, solve problems and make decisions in a country outside the U.S.,
- Articulate and apply a public service perspective in a country outside the U.S.,
- Communicate and interact productively with a diverse and changing workforce and citizenry in a country outside the U.S.
Students must demonstrate ability to advance in one or more of the specialization competencies with a set of four or more courses (equivalent to 12 semester hours) at a university outside the U.S., approved in advance by the department chair, and successful completion of the capstone project (PSPA 699B). Students may enroll in PSPA 693 to earn credit for study abroad courses. Specialization in Public Financial Management
A thorough study of public financial administration, focusing on the financial operations of public service organizations and tools of financial management. - Approved graduate course work (6)
Specialization in Nonprofit Management
A study of the unique challenges posed by the administration of nonprofit organizations in both the domestic and global contexts, including communication and promotion, fundraising and grant writing, and intersectoral collaboration with the public and private sectors. Students in the Nonprofit Management Specialization may substitute PSPA 624 for PSPA 611. Then PSPA 653 must be taken in lieu of PSPA 624. Specialization in Strategic Public Management and Leadership
Students will gain an advanced capacity to assume a leadership role and use strategic management and collaborative processes that facilitate the mission of government and nonprofit organizations. Program available in a traditional on-campus format and an online format. Specialization in Local Government Management
A thorough study of local government administration, focusing on the operations of local governments and the analysis of local government and metropolitan issues. Program available in a traditional on-campus format and an online format. Specialization in Public Service Law and Management
Through a study of public administration and management in a legal context, students will gain an advanced capacity to assume a leadership role and use management skills to enhance the mission of government agencies and nongovernmental organizations as it relates to public law and management. In addition to learning skills and strategies for leadership and management, students will demonstrate an advanced ability to: - Lead and manage in public governance with legal insights;
- Analyze, synthesize, think critically, solve problems, and make decisions related to the legal issues of a public organization;
- Articulate and apply a public service perspective while serving in a public organization or a law firm that serves nonprofit, local, state, and federal government agencies ;
- Communicate, interact, and provide a legal perspective within a diverse and changing citizenry.
Students must demonstrate the ability to advance in one or more of the specialization competencies with a set of four or more law school courses (equivalent to 12 semester hours) approved by the department chair, and successful completion of the capstone project (PSPA 699B). Students enrolled in the Public Service Law and Management specialization must be enrolled in the NIU Law School or have earned a law degree from an accredited law school. |
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