Public Administration

The Master of Public Administration (MPA) program at the University of Illinois at Chicago is a comprehensive and dynamic graduate degree designed to prepare students for effective leadership and management roles in the public sector, nonprofit organizations, and related fields. This program offers a rigorous curriculum that combines theoretical foundations with practical applications, equipping graduates with the essential skills needed to address complex policy issues, manage public resources efficiently, and serve diverse communities with integrity and professionalism. Students in the MPA program benefit from experienced faculty members who are experts in public administration, government, and nonprofit management, as well as from the university's strategic location in Chicago, a major hub for government agencies, nonprofits, and civic organizations. The program emphasizes core areas such as public policy analysis, organizational theory, budgeting and financial management, human resources, ethics, and leadership. Additionally, students have opportunities to customize their education through elective courses aligned with their specific interests and career goals, including urban affairs, environmental policy, health administration, and international development. The MPA program employs a mix of classroom instruction, case studies, internships, and collaborative projects to foster practical experience and professional networking. Graduates of the program are well-prepared for careers in city management, policy analysis, program evaluation, nonprofit administration, and federal, state, or local government agencies. With a flexible schedule including evening classes and part-time options, the University of Illinois at Chicago supports the diverse needs of working professionals seeking to advance their careers in public service. The program also encourages research and engagement with real-world challenges, promoting innovative solutions that benefit society. Overall, the University of Illinois at Chicago’s MPA prepares students to become ethical, effective, and innovative public service leaders capable of making a positive impact in their communities and beyond.

A minimum of 96 semester hours of coursework beyond the baccalaureate is required. Those holding the Master of Public Administration from UIC or an equivalent program will ordinarily receive a maximum of 32 semester hours toward the degree requirement. A cumulative grade point average of at least 3.00 (A = 4.00) in all graduate courses taken at UIC is required for graduation.

The required courses are listed below:

Students must satisfactorily complete the following courses for a total of 48 semester hours. Credit is not given for any course in which a grade of less than “B” is earned.

All courses are 4 credits unless indicated otherwise.

Core Courses – Theory (8 Hours)

• PA 511: The History and Development of Public Administration (2 Hours)
• PA 510: Organization Theory and Behavior in Public Administration (2 Hours)
• PA 513: Collaborative Management and Governance Networks (2 Hours)
• PA 515: Bureaucracy and the Policy Process (2 Hours)

Core Courses – Methods (20 Hours)

• PA 540: Research Design for Public Administration
• PA 541: Advanced Data Analysis I

Plus any of the following courses:**

• PA 528: Public Program Evaluation
• PA 544: Qualitative Research Methods in Public Administration
• PA 542: Advanced Data Analysis II

Any of the survey courses listed in the Survey Method specialization section below with the exception of PA 578, which cannot be used to fulfill the methods requirement.

Core Courses – Applied Research Seminars (4 Hours)

• PA 545: Applied Research Seminar I (2 Hours)
• PA 546: Applied Research Seminar II (2 Hours)

Areas of Specialization (Minimum 12 Hours)
Students are required to select one of the following four areas of specialization

• Public and Nonprofit Management
• Financial Management
• Survey Methods
• Urban Governance and Networks

Public and Nonprofit Management
Ph.D. Specific Courses:

• PA 527: Public Management Theory (required)
• PA 534: Human Resources Development and Management

MPA-level courses that can be taken to fulfill this area of specialization: **

• PA 521: Strategic Management: Planning and Measurement
• PA 522: Ethics and Accountability (2 hours)
• PA 524: Leadership in Public Sector Organizations (2 hours)
• PA 526: Public Decision Analysis
• PA 529: Change and Reform in Public Organizations (2 hours)
• PA 530: History and Theory of the Non-Profit Sector
• PA 532: Labor Management Relations in the Public Sector
• PA 533: Managing Workplace Diversity (2 hours)
• PA 561: Intergovernmental Management
• PA 572: History and Theory of the Non-Profit Sector

Financial Management
Ph.D. Specific Courses:

• PA 554: Advanced Seminar in Financial Management (required)

MPA-level courses that can be taken to fulfill this area of specialization: **

• PA 521: Strategic Management: Planning and Measurement
• PA 552: Capital Budgeting and Infrastructure
• PA 553: State and Local Public Finance
• PA 561: Intergovernmental Management
• UPP 533: Development Finance Analysis

Urban Governance and Networks

• PA 562: Seminar in Urban Governance (required)

Political Science courses that can be taken to fulfill this area of specialization**

• POLS 500 Introduction to Policy and Governance
• POLS 551: Introduction to Urban Politics
• MPA-level courses that can be taken to fulfill this area of specialization: **
• PA 506: Policy Development & Analysis for Public Administrators
• PA 553: State and Local Public Finance
• PA 561: Intergovernmental Management

Survey Methods

• PA 578: Surveys, Public Opinion, and Public Policy (required)

Students must take at least one of the following:

• PA 577: Survey Questionnaire Design (3 credit hours)
• PA 582: Survey Data Collection and Methods
• PA 588: Applied Survey Sampling and Analysis

Select remaining concentration courses from the following. (Unless listed otherwise, each course below is 2 credit hours. These courses will either meet for 1.5 hours per week or will only meet for 8 weeks.)

• PA 579: Practicum in Survey Research (2 – 6 variable credit hours)
• PA 580: Survey Non-Response
• PA 581: Cross-Cultural Survey Measurement
• PA 583: Cognitive Processing of Survey Information
• PA 584: Internet Surveys
• PA 585: Survey Research Ethics
• PA 586: History of Survey Research
• PA 587: Seminar in Special Issues in Survey Methodology

** Students may substitute other courses for any of the courses in these lists with the permission of the Director of Graduate Studies

Comprehensive Examinations
Students are required to take three comprehensive exams in the three areas of core theory, methods, and their area of concentration. Students are required to take all three exams within one year of completing all required PA coursework

Preliminary Examination
Within a year after completion of course work students must pass a preliminary examination designed to test their scholarly competence and knowledge. The doctoral preliminary examination is designed to assess the degree of mastery which degree candidates have achieved over a body of knowledge, to measure their ability to integrate that knowledge, and to apply it creatively in the analysis of problems to which it is germane. The preliminary examination will consist of three parts, the theoretical core and one for each of the two areas of specializations.

Dissertation
The student who satisfactorily completes the above requirements will be advanced to degree candidacy and will undertake the doctoral dissertation in public administration in accordance with requirements and procedures of the Graduate College. The dissertation will make a contribution to knowledge in public administration and will be publicly defended before the scholarly community and a committee appointed by the Dean of the Graduate College on the recommendation of the Program Director. Up to 28 semester hours may be awarded for dissertation research.

Requirements

Applicants are considered on an individual basis. In addition to the Graduate College minimum requirements, applicants must meet the following program requirements:

• Prior Degrees Master’s degree required. Applicants must present evidence of having completed a graduate-level statistics course. Students with a deficiency in this area will be required to take additional course work as prescribed by the program director. Such course work will not apply to the degree requirements.
• Grade Point Average At least 3.50/4.00 for all undergraduate and postbaccalaureate course work.
• Tests Required GRE General. All applicants should have a combined score of at least 235 (tests taken August 2011 or after) or a combined score of 1100 (tests taken prior to August 2011) on the verbal and quantitative portions of the GRE. If an applicant fails to present a minimum GRE score of 235 or 1100 and a GPA of 3.50, the applicant may still be considered by the PhD Committee. The committee will review all evidence of high promise, including, but not limited to, trend of graduate grade, type of graduate program, and mature work experience.
• Minimum English Competency Test Score
  • TOEFL 550 (paper-based); 80, with subscores of Reading 19, Listening 17, Speaking 20, and Writing 21 (iBT Internet-based), OR,
  • IELTS 6.5, with subscores of 6.0 for all four subscores, OR,
  • PTE-Academic 54, with subscores of Reading 51, Listening 47, Speaking 53, and Writing 56.
• Letters of Recommendation Three required from persons familiar with the applicant’s academic achievements or professional experience.
• Personal Statement Required. Applicants must submit a brief statement of their professional goals and academic interests.
• Other Requirements Applicants must submit a 3–5 page written essay, a resume, and may be asked to interview with one or more members of the faculty.

Scholarships

• Teaching assistantships
• Research assistantships 
• Graduate assistantships
• Global Education

The Bachelor of Arts in Public Administration at the University of Illinois at Chicago is designed to prepare students for careers in government, non-profit organizations, and other public sector entities. The program provides a comprehensive understanding of the principles and practices involved in public policy, organizational management, and public service delivery. Students engage with core courses that cover topics such as political science, public finance, administrative law, ethics in public service, and urban planning. The curriculum emphasizes both theoretical foundations and practical skills, including policy analysis, program evaluation, and leadership development.

Throughout the program, students have opportunities to participate in internships, community projects, and collaborative research initiatives that enhance real-world experience and professional readiness. The faculty team is composed of scholars and practitioners with extensive expertise in public administration, enabling students to gain insights into current challenges and innovative solutions in the public sector. The program also encourages engagement with issues related to social justice, equity, and sustainability, reflecting the university’s commitment to serving diverse communities and addressing pressing societal problems.

Graduates of the program are well-equipped to pursue employment in government agencies at local, state, and federal levels, as well as in non-profit organizations, advocacy groups, and consulting firms specializing in public policy and administration. Many alumni have gone on to hold influential positions in public policy analysis, city management, public finance, and urban planning. The program aims to develop ethical and effective public servants who are committed to improving governance and community well-being.

The Department of Public Administration at UIC maintains strong connections with local governmental bodies and public organizations, providing students with networking opportunities and pathways for career development. Additionally, the university offers related minors and certificates that complement the major and allow students to tailor their academic experience to specific interests within public administration. Overall, the program at UIC is dedicated to fostering leadership, critical thinking, and civic responsibility among its students, preparing them to meet the complex demands of today's public sector.

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