Frequently Asked Questions

Academic Progress

  1. What courses should I take in my first semester?
  2. What is a study plan and when should I complete it?
  3. How long will it take to get through the program?
  4. How many courses should I take in a semester?
  5. What should I do if I cannot take courses for one semester?
  6. Is there a comprehensive exam or a thesis?

Academic Progress


  1. What courses should I take in my first semester?

    2. If you have not studied public administration at all you should take POSC 509, our introductory course. Other courses commonly taken in the first semester include the administrative behavior course POSC 526, and the Human Resources course POSC 572.

  2. What is a study plan and when should I complete it?

    3. In your second semester you should fill out a study plan with the MPA Coordinator. This will involve declaring your concentration and filling out an anticipated list of the courses you will take in the program.

  3. How long will it take to get through the program?

    4. If you are working full-time and have minimal distractions you should get through in about three years. If you are not working full-time you should be able to do it in less than three years. If your life is unusually complicated or you run into crises during your study, it may take longer to finish the program.

  4. How many courses should I take in a semester?

    5. If you are working full-time you should take no more than two courses. If you are not working you can take as many as four.

  5. What should I do if I cannot take courses for one semester?

    6. You need to take a leave of absence for a semester. To do this you will get a form from the Graduate Studies Office in McCarthy Hall 103, complete and submit the form to the Admissions and Records Service Center in Langsdorf Hall, Room 114. You will receive notification of the decision by mail within 2-3 weeks.

  6. Is there a comprehensive exam or a thesis?

    7. Everyone must either take a comprehensive exam, offered once a year in January, or write a thesis. Most students take the comprehensive exam which gives you a week to answer one general question and one question in your concentration area.