College of Business and Public Policy - University of Alaska Anchorage

Program Overview

The Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree provides students with knowledge and skills needed for professional careers in public service. MPA students learn new techniques and add to their expertise in organizational and program management, policy analysis, and related areas with emphasis on policy and administrative issues in the North. Students specialize in one of the following emphasis areas: Public Management, Policy Analysis, Health Administration, or Criminal Justice.

The Public Management emphasis is designed for those working for or planning to work for executive agencies of local, state, and federal government; for private, non-profit organizations; and in government relations units of private corporations. It provides basic tools of public management, understanding of the structure and processes of public organizations, and the history and context of the field of public administration.

The Policy Analysis emphasis is intended to provide the professional staffs of executive and legislative departments of local, state, and federal governments with the capability to analyze the effects of a broad range of actual or hypothetical government policies. It emphasizes the application of economic analysis and other quantitative and qualitative methods to Alaska and national policy issues.

The Health Administration emphasis prepares students to function as health administrators in state, local, or federal agencies, non-profit organizations, and private companies that do health-related work. Students develop knowledge and skills necessary for effective public management in the health care area: planning, decision-making, and managing people, money and programs.

The Criminal Justice Emphasis will provide graduates with the theoretical basis for management careers in the field of criminal justice. Students will develop knowledge and skills necessary for effective public management: planning and decision making, managing people, money and programs. These skills will be applicable in a wide spectrum of employment areas in law enforcement and the criminal justice system; and will also prepare graduates seeking to earn a terminal degree in justice administration.

Upon approval of the student's advisor and dean, and by completing additional course work and meeting other degree requirements, an MPA student may receive both the MPA and the Master of Business Administration (MBA) degrees.