Lamar University offers the master of public administration
to graduate students interested in one of a broad spectrum of
careers in public service - from management of public agencies to
administration of non-profit organizations. Available
programs of study prepare Lamar students with the professional
training, knowledge, skills and experience needed to successfully
become an integral part of the efficient and responsive operation of
the government.
Many Lamar graduate students establish professional careers in
federal, state, or local government agencies. Others earn master's
and doctoral degrees in political science and teach in colleges and
universities.
Public Administration
A wide variety of career opportunities for those holding master's
degrees is found in government and non-profit agencies as well as in
private businesses and corporations, especially those subject to
government regulation. Employment in municipal government includes
positions as city managers and assistant city managers, regional
transportation and metropolitan planning agency directors and in
water, drainage, hospital and housing district management
positions. Other career opportunities include those of legislative
assistants at the state or national level and as representatives for
private organizations in the state and national capitals.
Degree Requirements
To successfully earn the M.P.A. degree, students must
complete 36 hours of graduate work. These hours include 15 hours of
core coursework, 15 hours of coursework in a supporting area and
six hours, either from an internship in a public agency or
non-profit organization, or from additional coursework. The core
comprises the following courses:
POLS 5350 Administrative Theory
POLS 5351 Personnel Administration
POLS 5352 Financial Administration
POLS 5353 Public Policy Formulation
POLS 5354 Special Studies in Public Administration
Admission Requirements
All students seeking admission to the public administration
degree program must first meet the required standards of the College
of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also have the approval of the
Department of Political Science.
To apply to the program, students must submit the following
documents for the approval of the College of Graduate Studies:
- completed application form (US
or
international)
- official transcript from each college or university attended
- Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores.
All applicants must meet the university's GRE and GPA standards;
according to the formula (GPA x 200)+ (GRE Verbal +
Quantitative) >/=1350.
Academic Prerequisites
The following political science courses or their
equivalents are prerequisites:
POLS 2301-2302 American Government and Politics
POLS 3316 Introduction to Public Administration
POLS 3319 Statistics for Social Sciences
POLS 3390 Urban Politics
Students are not required to have completed these courses
prior to gaining admittance to the graduate program but must
complete the coursework concurrently with other required courses to
successfully earn the graduate degree.
Internships
Internships with area city, county and state government
offices and in private non-profit organizations are available for
qualified students to gain work experience.
Faculty
Lamar University's graduate level political science faculty
hold doctoral degrees and have extensive teaching experience. They
are recognized in their profession and by their peers for
publications, presentation and professional service.
