西密歇根大學(xué)

The mission of the MPA program is to improve the quality of public service by developing professionals and leaders equipped with knowledge and skills in theories, methodology, and innovative practice in the interdisciplinary field of public administration. Our graduates lead and manage a diverse range of government, nonprofit, and health care organizations and make positive impacts on the lives of citizens locally, nationally, and globally.

The MPA Program is modeled around the following core values of public administration.

Plurality of ideas and perspectives;
Common good, social justice, and democratic governance;
Ethical and competent leadership and decision-making; and
Efficient, effective, equitable, and transparent practice of public service.

The program expects its students to achieve competency across the following learning outcomes and domains:

To apply theories and techniques of leadership and management in contexts of public governance;
To demonstrate the ability to participate in and contribute to the public policy process;
To analyze problems, synthesize information, think critically, and make evidence-based decisions in order to solve public and collective problems;
To articulate and apply a public service perspective focused on common good, liberty, social justice for all, and democratic governance; and
To communicate and interact productively with a diverse and changing workforce and citizenry.

Reflecting on the multi-disciplinary nature of the field, the MPA program draws upon the talents of a diverse and multidisciplinary team of faculty within the School of Public Affairs and Administration. In addition, faculty and other resources are used from other academic departments or units throughout the University as well as the larger community. The MPA program is offered on the main campus with concentrations in health care, human resources, nonprofit, public management, and public policy; with the nonprofit and public management concentrations also offered in a hybrid format in the Grand Rapids Beltline regional location.