The Master of Public Administration degree requires 36 credit hours of course work and 6 credit hours of internship. The internship (six credit hours) is not required of "in-service" students, those presently employed or recently employed in a relevant, substantive position in the public or nonprofit sectors.
Applicants with strong undergraduate preparation that complements or duplicates elements of the program may be exempted from certain courses or have some of the required credits waived. In no case, however, may a student take less than 30 credit hours of academic course work, exclusive of the internship. After careful review of the student's record, the program coordinator will determine if courses or credits will be waived.
The curriculum consists of a common component and a concentration. The common curriculum enables students to function effectively in the public and nonprofit sectors. Students will learn concepts of organization, public management, personnel, program and policy evaluation, budgeting, and relevant law. There are two defined concentrations: health administration and public sector communication. In addition, students, in consultation with the coordinator, may design an individualized concentration. The individualized concentration may draw upon courses in the other concentrations, other graduate programs at JMU, and graduate courses offered by other accredited institutions including on-line courses. (Students should be aware that the Graduate School policy allows no more than nine credit hours of transferred course work to count toward a student's graduate degree. Any transfer courses require the approval of the public administration coordinator.)
Students who do not have an appropriate professional work background in administration/management are expected to complete a supervised internship with a public agency, nonprofit organization, or private firm whose business is largely with government. The internship will support the student's concentration.
A student admitted to the program must seek advice from the program coordinator before registering for classes. The coordinator will also assist the student in planning the degree program, taking into account the nature of the student's undergraduate preparation and professional experience, if any.
The Graduate Record Examination or the Graduate Management Admission Test is required of all applicants for the Master of Public Administration program.
Successful performance on a comprehensive examination is required of all candidates for the Master of Public Administration degree. Information concerning the comprehensive examination can be obtained from the director of the public administration program: Dr. Douglas Skelley, e-mail: skellebd@jmu.edu ; phone: 540-568-6832; mail: MSC 7705, JMU, Harrisonburg, VA 22807.