Preparing Leaders in Public Service

Established in 1973, the Master of Public Administration (MPA) program at Kentucky State University prepares students for careers as supervisors, managers, and decision-makers in the public sector—from local and state, to federal government agencies. Our program courses are designed to ensure students will succeed as practitioners in the public sector. Accordingly, the program is designed to prepare students to gain problem-solving skills, critical thinking competencies, program analysis abilities, and insight into the challenges and processes of public policy implementation. 

MPA Program—Learning Competencies:

Goal 1 – Objectives:
Students will be able to lead and manage in the public sector.
Students will have the opportunity to model leadership through group projects.
Students will have the opportunity to manage applied research projects in a variety of public sector environments.

Goal 2 – Objectives:
Students will be able to participate in and contribute to the public policy process.
Students will apply public policy theories and integrate relevant ideas and concepts.
Students will be able to conduct scholarly research on public policy issues and present the results to relevant stakeholders.

Goal 3 – Objectives:
Students will be able to analyze, synthesize, think critically, solve problems and make decisions.
Students will analyze data, construct models, evaluate policies, and recommend policy alternatives.

Students will have the opportunity to practice engagement with public agencies charged with creating and implementing public policies. Such opportunities can include legislative bodies, regulatory agencies, and local policy-making agencies.

Goal 4 – Objectives:
Students will be able to articulate and apply a public service perspective.
Students will interact with public sector practitioners to better understand how to articulate and apply public sector perspectives.
Students will be able to identify and explain public sector theories necessary to lead and manage a culturally diverse society.

Goal 5 – Objectives:
Students will be able to communicate and interact productively with a diverse and changing workforce and citizenry.
Students will be able to produce and present results of policy and research reports in oral and written form.
Students will be able to interact with one of the most diverse faculty, staff and student populations.

Outcomes:

80% of MPA students will be able to explain leadership and management concepts in the public sector upon graduation.
80% of MPA students will be able to analyze, synthesize, think critically, solve problems and make decisions upon graduation.
80% of MPA students will be able to communicate and interact productively with a diverse and changing workforce and citizenry upon graduation.
80% of MPA students will be able to articulate and apply a public service perspective upon graduation.

Accreditation:

The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) reaffirmed Kentucky State University’s accreditation for the next 10 years.