Master of Public Administration Executive Track
Elevate your career in the public or nonprofit sector alongside a cohort of working professionals in a flexible, top-ranked program.
The Master of Public Administration (MPA) executive track is designed for experienced working professionals in public or nonprofit organizations.
This professional degree provides current and future leaders with analytic and management skills necessary to advance their careers. The program is tailored for the life of working professionals, featuring:
- Classes offered at UConn's Hartford and Stamford campuses.
- Schedule flexibility, with accelerated core courses offered in 5-week Saturday sessions.
- Options to complete your degree in two years.
UConn MPA students earn an exceptional education from the only Connecticut school accredited by the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA), the global standard in public service education.
Why Choose UConn
#9
National ranking of public finance and budgeting programs, U.S. News & World Report.
#39
National ranking of public affairs programs, U.S. News & World Report.
NASPAA
The only NASPAA-accredited school in Connecticut.
Cohort Model
Small classrooms designed to facilitate conversation and provide individual attention.
Stamford Location
Program available at UConn's Stamford campus.
Hartford Location
Program available at UConn's Hartford campus.
Outcomes and Careers
Alumni of UConn’s MPA executive-track are leaders in nonprofit organizations and in government at the national, state, and local levels. Their successes contribute to our school’s national reputation and our ability to attract high-caliber students from around the world.
By earning your MPA through the UConn School of Public Policy, you'll join our network of talented alumni who in turn mentor current students.
The faculty is lauded as responsive and attentive to student needs and the program’s national accreditation speaks volumes.
Carease Gadson '22 MPA
Revenue Agent, Connecticut Department of Revenue Services
Academics
Program Requirements
Our 36-credit MPA curriculum is designed to prepare students for the important responsibility of becoming public managers and policy decision-makers. The program develops the skills needed to diagnose problems, collect and analyze information, choose among policy alternatives, communicate findings, implement programs, and manage change.
The executive track follows a cohort-model. The core courses (listed below) will be designed for the executive cohort. The executive experience courses are designed to meet the pedagogical, intellectual, and professional needs of the fellows without compromising the MPA learning outcomes and course quality.
The program is designed to be completed in two years. All students will have the opportunity to complete the core courses in two years and they may choose to complete the electives during the summer, during the regular semester while taking the core classes, or after they complete those classes.
Eligibility
Applicants to the MPA executive track must:
- Be currently employed in the public sector, nonprofit sector, or individuals looking to transition into a public service-related role.
- Have a minimum of five years of relevant professional experience or a minimum of three years in a decision-making role.
- Have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited undergraduate institution.
- Have an undergraduate GPA of 3.0, unless there are extraordinary circumstances.
Please contact publicpolicy@uconn.edu with eligibility questions.
Core Courses
Students must take the following courses:
- PP 5340. Introduction to Public Policy and Management
- PP 5345. Project Management in the Public Sector
- PP 5361. Theory and Management of Public Organizations
- PP 5364. Public Finance and Budgeting
- PP 5365. Human Resource Management
- PP 5370. Applied Research Design
- PP 5375. Economic Analysis for Public Administration
- PP 5376. Applied Quantitative Methods
The MPA executive track requires 12 credits of electives, which you can use to complete a focus area. You can choose from the list of possible focus areas below, develop your own with the help of your advisor, or choose to remain a generalist.
Examples of focus areas and possible courses include:
Executive Leadership
- PP 5366. Executive Leadership
- PP 5325. Labor-Management Relations, Negotiation, and Contract Management
- PP 5359. Crisis Management
- Other PP courses as approved
Law and Public Policy
Two approved School of Law courses are required (recommended: LAW 7600 Administrative Law) along with one PP course:
- PP 5304. Public Policy, Diversity, and Inclusion
- PP 5363. Local Government Management and Leadership
- PP 5329. Nonprofit Advocacy, Government Relations, and Law
- Other courses as approved
Nonprofit Management
- PP 5319. Program Development
- PP 5328. Business Functions of Nonprofit Organizations
- PP 5324. Grant Writing and Government Contracting
- PP 5323. Leading and Governing Nonprofits
- PP 5329. Nonprofit Advocacy, Government Relations, and Law
- PP 5336. Fund Development and Nonprofit Sustainability
Public Financial Management
- PP 5373. Budgeting in Public Service Organizations
- PP 5318. Financial Management for Public Organizations
- PP 5317. Capital Finance and Budgeting
- PP 5326. Public Investment Management
- PP 5374. Topics in Financial Management
Public Policy
- PP 5347. Applied Policy Issues
- PP 5314. Casual Program Evaluation
- PP 5342. Policy Analysis
State and Local Government Management
- PP 5363. Local Government Management and Leadership (required)
- PP 5325. Labor-Management Relations, Negotiation, and Contract Management
- PP 5317. Capital Finance and Budgeting
- PP 5349. Public Procurement and Contracting
- PP 5368. Performance Management and Accountability
- PP 5350. Urban and Regional Policy
Survey Research
- PP 5379. Principles and Methods I (required)
- Other courses as approved
Urban Planning
- PP 5348. Urban Planning Principles and Methods (required)
- PP 5363. Local Government Management and Leadership
- PP 5317. Capital Finance and Budgeting
- PP 5350. Urban and Regional Policy
- Other courses as approved from GEOG and LAW
Sample Course Sequence
Below is a model course of study for the UConn MPA executive track program. You can learn more about our courses on our course descriptions page.
Year 1
Year 1 Fall
- PP 5340. Introduction to Public Policy and Management
- PP 5375. Economic Analysis for Public Administration
Total Credits = 6
Year 1 Spring
- PP 5361. Theory & Management of Public Organizations
- PP 5364. Public Finance and Budgeting
Total Credits = 6
Year 1 Summer
- Elective/Focus Area (PP 5366. Public Service Executive Leadership)
- PP 5376. Applied Quantitative Methods
Total Credits = 6
Year 2
Year 2 Fall
- PP 5365. Human Resource Management
- PP 5370. Applied Research Design
Total Credits = 6
Year 2 Spring
- PP 5345. Project Management in the Public Sector
- Elective/Focus Area
Total Credits = 6
Year 2 Summer
- Elective/Focus Area*
- Elective/Focus Area*
Total Credits = 6
Total Program Credits = 36
*Electives may be taken during year 1 and/or year 2 for a May graduation
Admissions
Students apply to the UConn MPA program via the UConn Graduate School’s online application.
Application Deadlines
Fall
Priority decision: Feb. 15
Final Deadline: May 15
Spring
Final Deadline: Nov. 1
Contact Us
For more information about the UConn MPA program, please contact:
Outreach Coordinator, School of Public Policy