Master of Public Administration
Program Overview
The Master of Public Administration program is designed to prepare students for careers in public service. Graduates of the University of South Dakota's public administration program serve at all levels of government and nonprofit organizations in the United States and abroad. The Department, with its rich multidisciplinary faculty, diverse student body, and excellent facilities, offers a rich and challenging environment for graduate education in public administration. At USD students experience high quality faculty and staff and learn in a supportive environment that will prepare them well for the challenges of the twenty-first century. The program has a generalist focus, designed to prepare students with a strong theoretical background, as well as an experiential component to provide a practical experience for students to test out that theoretical knowledge. We hope that this will give you the wisdom to know and the courage to act in the public interest.
The University of South Dakota is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools to offer baccalaureate, masters, specialist, and doctoral programs. The Master of Public Administration program is accredited by NASPAA, the National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration. Enrolled students become members of the University of South Dakota, Department of Political Science, and the W. O. Farber Center for Civic Leadership, with opportunities to make contributions to each. Our department is also home to the Government Research Bureau, which has a distinguished history of conducting applied research through application of the most modern and innovative analysis tools. MPA students are welcome to participate in GRB research to hone their skills and to provide essential public service through advanced studies of public policy and evaluation research.
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