The Master of Public Administration degree program strives to provide a broadly focused professional degree in the essential management and analytical elements of public administration and public policy analysis. The program attracts a sizable number of both pre-career and mid-career students with a variety of academic and professional backgrounds. Moreover, the program draws students who want to pursue a diverse range of professional careers in both the public and nonprofit sectors, as well as those who are interested in finding employment at the local level, in state agencies, in federal regional offices, and in Washington, D.C. The program gives students the requisite skills and knowledge to become more intelligent consumers of policy issues and more capable actors in their chosen professional careers.

Mission Statement 

The mission of the Master of Public Administration (MPA) Program at the University of South Carolina is to provide an education that imparts the managerial and analytical skills necessary for students to ethically and effectively serve the public interest in increasingly diverse societies, and to improve the understanding and practice of public affairs through our research, teaching, and service. 

Learning Outcomes

1. Master of Public Administration graduates will be able to lead and manage in public governance.
2. Master of Public Administration graduates will be able to participate in and contribute to the policy process.
3. Master of Public Administration graduates will be able to analyze, synthesize, think critically, solve problems and make decisions.
4. Master of Public Administration graduates will be able to articulate and apply a public service perspective.
5. Master of Public Administration graduates will be able to communicate and interact productively with a diverse and changing workforce and citizenry.

Admissions Requirements

Applicants to the M.P.A. program are expected to have an undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.00, and a TOEFL score of 600 (computer score of 250) or a comparable score on the IELTS Intl. Academic Course Type 2 exam, if applicable. The GRE is no longer required, though applicants are welcome to submit their scores should they take the exam.   

The M.P.A. program admits new students for the fall, spring, and summer semesters. Prospective students are encouraged to submit their applications early. This will enable the M.P.A. Admissions Committee and the USC Graduate School to process all materials in a timely fashion so that students can be considered for admittance and possible financial scholarships during the requested academic terms. The deadlines for completed applicant files to be received at USC are:

• May 1: Admittance for the summer semester
• July 1: Admittance for the fall semester

• December 15: Admittance for the spring semester

For more detailed information on the M.P.A. program, visit https://sc.edu/study/colleges_schools/artsandsciences/political_science/study/graduate/masters

Degree Requirements (33 Advanced Standing Hours; 39 Post-Baccalaureate Hours)

The M.P.A. degree requires 33-39 semester hours of credit, depending on the prior preparation of the student. 

Required Core Courses (24 Hours)

Course List

Course	Title	Credits
Core Courses
POLI 770	Perspectives on Public Administration	3
POLI 771	Public Data Analysis	3
POLI 773	Human Resources Administration in Government	3
POLI 774	The Public Policy Process	3
POLI 775	Financial Administration	3
POLI 754	Public Accountability and Ethics	3
Capstone Seminar
POLI 753	Capstone Seminar in Public Administration	3
Internship
POLI 779	Public Administration Internship (or additional elective if internship is waived with MPA Director approval)	3
Total Credit Hours		24

Electives (15 Hours)

Students will complete 15 hours of POLI 700+ elective courses (or other graduate courses approved by the MPA Director).

Advanced Standing for Students who Completed a Certified Public Manager Program 

Students who have successfully completed a Certified Public Manager Program (CPM) will be exempt from 6 hours of elective credit and complete a 33 credit-hour curriculum.  

Concentration (9 Hours)

Students have the option of declaring the Emergency Management and Planning concentration in place of 9 hours of electives. 

Emergency Management and Planning Concentration Requirements (9 Hours)

Course List

Course	Title	Credits
GEOG 530	Environmental Hazards	3
GEOG 535	Hazards Analysis and Planning	3
GEOG 563	Advanced Geographic Information Systems	3
Total Credit Hours		9

Combination and Dual Degrees

The M.P.A. program participates in combination degree programs with other academic units at the University of South Carolina and dual degree programs with other institutions in the state. Information about these opportunities can be found at Graduate Combination, Dual-Degree and Joint Degree Programs < University of South Carolina (sc.edu).