The Master of Public Policy and Administration Program is designed to provide practical career-oriented training for persons seeking public service careers or for persons already employed in the many branches of public service. The curriculum is designed to equip students with the necessary skills of contemporary public management as well as to give them a broad understanding of the role of administration in the decision making process.

MPPA Mission Statement

The MPPA program seeks to prepare students for significant professional and managerial positions in the public and non-profit sectors.  The curriculum is designed to equip students with the necessary skills of contemporary public management, provide a broad understanding of the role of administration in the policy process, and provide a sound foundation in ethics.  Thus, our MPPA program seeks to:

1. Provide a cadre of highly trained individuals who are committed to the notion of public service in a variety of organizational settings;
2. Develop advanced educational opportunities for students of public administration in an urban environment where a multiplicity of governmental opportunities, interactions and practices can be observed;
3. Fill the need for public, quasi-governmental, and non-profit high-level executive management which exists in the State of Mississippi, the nation, and the world, particularly as this need relates to minorities and women; and
4. Serve as a resource to the greater community.

MPPA Admission Requirements

Students may apply for admission in the Fall, Spring and Summer sessions. Application deadlines are March 1 for Fall, March 15 for Summer and October 15 for Spring. In order to apply for the MPPA Program, students are required to have all the following information submitted by the designated deadlines:

1. Evidence through official academic transcripts of a bachelors degree from an accredited institution with a grade point average of 3.0 as evidenced by official transcripts
2. GRE or GMAT scores
3. For international students a minimum score of 550 on the paper-based or 69 on IBT TOEFL test; 6.5 on IELTS test and 53 on PTE-A test.
4. Three letters of recommendation
5. Application for admission to JSU Graduate School
6. Application for admission to the MPPA Program
7. Professional/career essay

No student will be considered for admission into the MPPA Program unless they are first admitted by the Graduate School.

Conditional Admittance

As clearly articulated in the Graduate School policies, a student admitted under conditional admission must obtain a GPA of 3.0 by the end of their first 12 hours of graduate level courses in the MPPA Program (transfer hours or hours attained in another degree program will not apply). At the end of 12 hours, the student must submit an official transcript to the MPPA Admissions and Financial Aid Committee with a request for regular admission provided that such student maintained a 3.0 GPA. At minimum the student will be required to take PPAD 505 ‘Principles of Public Administration” and any leveling courses which the committee may determine to be necessary.

Alternate Admissions Track

Students who have not met the Graduate School’s requirement for conditional admission, have a GPA less than 2.5 and who are seeking admission to the MPPA Program must meet the following criteria:

• Have graduated at least three years prior to admission.
• Have a full-time employment history of at least three (3) years.
• Provide a rationale in writing, as a part of the career goals essay which demonstrates to the Admission’s Committee that the applicant’s prior history in academia is not indicative of their graduate potential.
• Enroll in nine hours of MPPA core/concentration courses, after three hours enhancement courses in one semester and obtain a 3.00 GPA.
• Attend a personal interview if requested by the Admission’s Committee.

Admission Information for Graduate Students: https://www.jsums.edu/graduateschool/prospective-students-home/

Division of Graduate Studies Application Form:   https://www2.jsums.edu/gadmappl/grad_form.cfm

MPPA Program Application Form: MPPA Application

MPPA Degree Requirements

The Master of Public Policy and Public Administration Program is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration (NASPAA). In order to earn the MPPA degree, students must maintain an overall 3.0 GPA (based on a 4.0 scale) and successfully complete one of the following options:

Thesis Option: 42 hours minimum

■          18 hours of public administration core courses

■          12 hours of concentration courses

■          3-6 hours of internship (or additional courses if the student is in service)

■          3-6 hours of thesis (write and orally defend thesis)

■          written comprehensive examination

Non-Thesis Option: 45 hours minimum

■          18 hours of public administration core courses

■          12 hours of concentration courses

■          3 hours of an elective

■          3-6 hours of internship (or additional courses if the student is in service)

■          6 hours in skill-based, research methods and area of specialization courses

■          written comprehensive examination

More information about the MPPA Program can be found in the MPPA Manual.