The M.P.A. program offers a curriculum that teaches qualitative and quantitative skills as applied to the ever-evolving field of public administration. It increases and integrates a student's knowledge of the institutional, social, legal and economic contexts within which administrators and managers in the government, health care and nonprofit sectors operate. Through sequences of related courses in areas of specialization, students acquire knowledge of both management tools and specific functions.

The program's emphasis is on the development of sound skills achieved through the integration of theory and practice. The faculty possess extensive, high-level research and practical experience in government, health care and nonprofit organizations. A carefully planned and supervised capstone project allows students to apply the principles and concepts learned in the classroom.

Through this multi-pronged curriculum, M.P.A. graduates qualify for positions that require strong analytical and administrative skills, ability to apply various management tools and in-depth knowledge in specific policy areas. The increasing demand for government, health care and nonprofit administrators who are able to manage effectively in a time of fiscal constraints places Pace graduates in a highly advantageous and competitive position. Alumni of the Pace M.P.A. program serve at the federal, state and local levels of government holding such positions as city and village managers, and executives in state agencies. Other graduates hold managerial and senior administrative positions in a variety of health care and nonprofit settings.

Completion of the M.P.A. program is usually accomplished after two years of full-time study, or three to four years of part-time study. The length of time may be reduced if the student is given advanced credit for graduate work completed elsewhere and certain course waivers. Six transfer credits are the maximum allowed, and up to nine credits of core requirements may be waived. Courses that may be waived include computer science, accounting and statistics, and quantitative methods. The student must apply to the chair of the department for exemptions.

Candidates must fulfill the residency requirement of thirty credits at Pace.

In addition, students who enter the program with little or no work experience will be assisted in identifying appropriate internships, residencies and positions in the area in which they wish to begin a professional career. There are a limited number of internships that provide stipends for exceptionally qualified students. Students who are new to the programs and or fields are encouraged to complete an internship.

Within the first twelve credits of course work, students will be assessed on their writing skills. This includes analysis, problem solving and logical argumentation in a correct grammatical context. Those who demonstrate weakness in writing will be required to complete and pass a seven-week non-credit workshop in Communications (COM 043).

All students matriculated in the Department of Public Administration must satisfy at least two core requirements among the first five courses that they take. Courses are selected in consultation with an academic advisor. After the first 15 credits of course work are completed, all students are required to have a conference with their advisor to assess their progress.

Students must maintain at least a "B" (3.00) average. Students whose averages fall below a 3.00 will be reviewed by the Department Committee on Academic Standing and may be allowed a period of one semester to restore their standing. Failure to do so in one semester will constitute sufficient reason for dismissal from the program. A grade of "C" or less in two graduate courses or an -F+ grade in any semester will be sufficient grounds for review by the Committee on Academic Standing, along with possible dismissal from the program.

A student's length of residence in the program cannot exceed five years from the date of first enrollment. This may be appealed to the chair of the department if there are severe extenuating circumstances.

The curriculum encompasses a total of 39-48 credits including core, track foundation, specialization and elective courses.

Core and track foundation courses are designed to develop comprehensive administrative, managerial, quantitative, financial and analytical skills with a thorough understanding of their applications in the government, health care or nonprofit sectors.

Specialization and elective courses provide the student with the opportunity to develop knowledge and skills in specialized programs and functional areas. They supplement and complement the core and track foundation courses and facilitate the achievement of professional and career objectives.

The required capstone project consists of an organizational analysis based on concepts learned in the program. The project will be presented in writing to both the primary and secondary capstone project faculty sponsors, and orally to a panel of faculty members and graduate students in the M.P.A. Capstone Project Seminar.

All students must have a cumulative 3.0 index before being allowed to register for the Capstone seminar.

Any student returning to Pace from the previous 39-credit program prior to academic year 1991-92 will have the option to take a comprehensive written and oral exam or complete the Capstone Project. If the student selects the comprehensive exam they will only be permitted to take it twice and must pass it by the second attempt. The Capstone Project must be completed in one semester or the student must register for the seminar the following term.

Students in the Department of Public Administration are required to declare a track by the time they complete their core requirements.

Students can elect to pursue studies in the government, health care or nonprofit sectors. In addition, specializations are offered that further increase the student's mastery of a functional or program area. Such specializations include: local government, planning and evaluation, gerontological services administration, human resources management, computer science and information systems, management of health care organizations, nonprofit financial management, criminal justice and environmental management. The student may select one of these specializations or may choose in consultation with their advisor to create a three-course cluster tailored to their specific needs. Students must seek faculty course approval before registering each semester.

The Department of Public Administration conducts special programs from time to time specifically tailored to the needs of various government units, health care facilities or nonprofit organizations in the tri-state area. It is currently offering a combined management training and degree program as part of the Westchester County Scholarship Program. Specialized training seminars may be provided for other organizations such as nonprofit human service agencies and health care facilities.

A Certificate Program in Health Care Policy and Management is offered for individuals who wish to advance their careers in health care organizations, but may not aspire to the Masters in Public Administration. Five courses are required to complete the Certificate which may be accomplished in two semesters. Topics covered include management, finance, planning and policy studies. All credits earned can be applied to the Masters degree if the student needs entrance requirements for the program.

Also, the department offers a Nonprofit Management Certificate Program for public managers in the non profit sector with previous management or with level advanced professional degrees. If after completion of these five courses and earning the certificate, participants wish to transfer into the full M.P.A. program, they would receive 15 credits toward the 48-credit master's program.

The Edwin G. Michaelian Institute for Public Policy and Management

In an age of rapid change and shifting responsibilities, with the demand for services rising and revenues slipping, municipal leaders have to work harder than ever to maintain day-to-day operations and plan successfully for the future. The Edwin G. Michaelian Institute and its legal research affiliate, the Municipal Law Resource Center (MLRC) exist to meet the needs of those municipal leaders, as well as nonprofit organization managers.

The Institute for Public Policy and Management was founded in 1973 as a service to local government and a forum for officials and community leaders to broaden their knowledge through informed discussion.

In 1984, both the Institute and the MLRC were named in honor of the late Edwin G. Michaelian, former Westchester County Executive and the Institute's first director.

The Institute conducts studies on and for local governments and nonprofit organizations, offers management training seminars and provides leadership and support to significant community service activities such as the Westchester 2000 project. The Institute also sponsors conferences and workshops for government leaders and citizens on major issues concerning public policy, politics and government operations. In addition, the Institute works closely with the Department of Public Administration in placing student interns with governmental and nonprofit agencies.

Institute studies have addressed questions related to the quality and efficiency of a municipality's services, the substance and process involved in city charter revisions, and the impact of group homes for mentally disabled people on surrounding property values. Studies are carried out with the participation of public administration faculty and students. Training executives and supervisors to meet management challenges is also an integral part of the Institute's mission. Presentations, case materials and group discussions identify problems and assist managers to develop solutions for their individual organizations.

A multifaceted legal reference center for government, operating in conjunction with the Pace University School of Law, the Municipal Law Resource Center provides research and consulting services to municipal officials and attorneys and assists the Institute in conducting policy and management studies. The MLRC responds to several hundred research requests annually on all aspects of municipal law. The MLRC's bi-monthly digest, The Municipal Lawyer, highlights and explains recent judicial decisions, administrative rulings and legislative enactments affecting local government. The MLRC possesses one of the most comprehensive municipal law libraries in New York State. These resources are augmented by WESTLAW computer-assisted legal research service and the entire collection of the Pace University Law Library.

Increasingly the Institute has been examining local government issues on an international basis. Most significantly, the Institute and MLRC have established an on-going relationship with the Japan Local Government Center. As an outgrowth of research conducted to provide Japanese municipalities with a better understanding of how local governments in the United States address certain problems and issues, the Institute is providing a one-year training program for Japanese local government officials. The resulting exchange of ideas and approaches has benefitted municipal leaders in both countries.

The Center for Health Care Education and Research is the focal point for all health care related educational, administrative and research activities fo the Department of Public Administration. The overall goal of the Center is the advancement of health care education and research activities in a manner that complements and supports the efforts of government providers to help meet the needs of consumers of health care. Specific goals of the Center include curriculum development, publications, research, educational conferences, community outreach and the fostering of joint efforts with other schools of Pace University who specialize in law, nursing and business practices.

The Public Administration Program is a member of the National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration (NASPAA). The Department of Public Administration is also affiliated with the New York State Municipal Management Association, the New York State Government Finance Officers Association and the Lower Hudson Valley Chapter of the American Society for Public Administration. The Department serves as a secretariat for two of these organizations, and the organizations provide scholarships, opportunities for internships, job contacts, and other resources helpful to M.P.A. students. The department maintains a chapter of Pi Alpha Alpha, the National Honor Society for the field of public affairs and administration.

The M.P.A. Curriculum consists of 39 foundation and specialty credits and 9 pre-core credits of graduate study. Waivers may be granted by the Department Chairperson for the pre-core credits based on documented proficiency in these courses.

The graduate student may choose to engage in full-time or part-time study in the MPA program.

The following course sequence is a typical program of study for the full- and part-time student. Full-time students can complete the degree in two years and the part-time student typically needs four years.

Both time periods may be shortened by advanced credit from other graduate institutions, waiver of pre-core courses with prior experience or background, and summer graduate study at Pace.