Mar 28, 2024  
2021-2022 Graduate Bulletin 
    
2021-2022 Graduate Bulletin [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Public Administration - Public Management Concentration, MPA


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Program Code: MPA_279B
CIP Code: 44.0401

Program of Study for the Master of Public Administration (MPA)


Admission Requirements: Baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university; complete application to the Graduate School ; official general GRE or GMAT exam scores, unless waived.

To be considered for admission, applicants must meet the criteria for admission to the Graduate School . In addition, the program faculty will give preference to applicants who meet or exceed the following: Undergraduate GPA > 3.00 and/or GRE/GMAT Verbal > 25th percentile and GRE/GMAT Quantitative > 25th percentile. Meeting this condition does not guarantee admission.

Standardized Exam Waiver Eligibility: The standardized exam (GRE or GMAT) requirement may be waived for applicants who:

  • Hold an undergraduate GPA of 3.4 or higher; OR
  • Have five years of relevant work experience in a government or nonprofit agency; OR
  • Completed 9 credit hours of graduate coursework at Appalachian State University or other accredited institution, with a grade of “B” or better, within the last five years.

Accelerated Admission Option: This program offers an accelerated admission option for undergraduate students currently enrolled at Appalachian State University.

Location: On Campus and Off Campus; Off-Campus cohorts begin periodically, and follow a part-time extended format.

Additional Information about Standardized Exam Waiver Eligibility


Any standardized exam waiver for a graduate degree program at Appalachian State requires that applicants hold a minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher in their last earned degree (undergraduate or graduate; some programs have established higher GPA requirements). No exam waiver is automatic but will require review and approval by the Graduate School upon submission of a complete application. An approved waiver request does not guarantee acceptance into the program. A denied waiver request does not mean that a candidate is denied admission to the program, only that a standardized exam score is needed to more fully evaluate the application. Standardized test scores may be required for scholarship consideration.

Concentration Requirements (15 Hours)


  • 15 hours of graduate courses in consultation with the MPA director, including 3 hours of graduate elective coursework from outside the program

Fieldwork / Internship Option (6 Hours)


Choose one:

Field Research Option for In-service Students


Other Requirements for the MPA


  • Thesis: Not required
  • Proficiency: Students must demonstrate a proficiency in reading a foreign language or quantitative analysis as a research tool. The department may determine the proficiency required.
  • Candidacy: Not required
  • Comprehensive: Successful completion of a capstone experience (P A 5558  plus P A 5559 ) fulfills the requirement for a comprehensive examination.
  • Product of Learning: Not required

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