Skip to main content
Penn State Harrisburg
Hotline Visit Apply Give
  • Academics
    • Undergraduate Degrees
    • Graduate Programs
  • Admissions and Financial Aid
    • Office of Admissions
    • Tuition and Financial Aid
  • Research
  • Information For
    • Future Students
    • Parents & Families
    • Alumni & Supporters
    • Current Students
    • Faculty & Staff
    • Workforce Professionals
Full site navigation menu

This dialog contains the full navigation menu for this site.

Penn State Harrisburg
Enter the terms you wish to search for.
Search type:
Hotline Visit Apply Give
  • This is Penn State
    • Vision, Mission and Values
    • Diversity and Inclusion at Penn State Harrisburg
    • Outreach and Economic Development Services
    • Board of Advisers
    • Administration
    • Chancellor's Office
  • Academics
    • Undergraduate Degrees
    • Graduate Degrees
    • Minors
    • Graduate or Postbaccalaureate Certificates
    • Integrated Undergraduate/Graduate Degrees
    • Education Certifications and Endorsements
  • Admissions
  • Tuition & Financial Aid
  • Research
  • Athletics
  • Student Life

Find Information For:

  • Future Students
  • Parents & Families
  • Alumni & Supporters
  • Current Students
  • Faculty & Staff
  • Workforce Professionals

Helpful Links

  • Contact Us
  • Give Today
  • Directory
  • Events Calendar

Connect With Us

  • facebook
  • twitter
  • linkedin
  • flickr
  • youtube
  • instagram
  1. Home
  2. School of Public Affairs
  3. Public Administration (M.P.A.)

Courses Overview

The MPA program prepares students with fundamental foundations in public management and policy analysis to empower their knowledge and skills into action across the public, nonprofit, and private sectors. The range of the core courses is balanced in the areas of managing organizations, making evidence-informed decisions, analyzing policy, and applying analytical methods to understand the dynamics of economic, organizational, political, and societal environments. A two-course sequence, PADM 503 and PADM 504, introduces research design and data analysis. Students learn how to interpret research as public managers and use evidence to make data-informed decisions. The capstone course, PADM 594, offers students the opportunity to demonstrate competencies in problem identification, problem solving, professional writing, oral presentation, group research, and presentation skills. 

As the students customize their focus areas based on their interests, elective course selections include human resources, nonprofit management, policy analytics and evaluation, public budgeting and financial management, and state-local government and administration. Students interested in the focus areas of health administration, leadership, homeland security, and criminal justice should consult with their academic advisor to personalize their electives. Electives are also aligned with the four MPA certificate programs. 

Students who do not have the relevant professional or managerial experience in public and nonprofit organizations are offered career development opportunities through internships for course credit. The hands-on internship experience will guide students to apply the analytical and managerial knowledge and skills gained in the MPA program. Examples of internship placements include Pennsylvania House of Representatives, Pennsylvania Association of Nonprofit Organizations, Pennsylvania Office of Inspector General, United States Army, Pennsylvania local governments, and school districts in Pennsylvania. 

All courses are described in the University Bulletin.


This page is not a part of the official Penn State University Bulletin.

Public Administration (M.P.A.)

  • Curriculum
  • Courses Overview
  • Program Requirements for Admission
  • Information for Accepted Applicants
  • Assessment
  • Student Support
  • Program Contacts and Faculty

See Also

  • Brochure (PDF)
  • MPA Student Club at Penn State Harrisburg
  • Honor Society
  • Master of Public Administration (MPA) Program Guide
  • Request Information
  • MPA Internship Handbook
Pennsylvania map showing Penn State campuses with Penn State Harrisburg highlighted

Penn State Harrisburg

A comprehensive college in southcentral Pennsylvania offering more than 70 undergraduate and graduate programs.
  • facebook
  • twitter
  • linkedin
  • flickr
  • youtube
  • instagram
Visit Apply Give
  • This is Penn State
    • Administration
    • Vision, Mission and Values
    • Board of Advisors
    • Outreach and Economic Development Services
  • Academics
    • Undergraduate Degrees
    • Graduate Degrees
    • Academic Calendar
  • Admission
    • Office of Admissions
    • Housing Options
    • Veterans
  • Tuition & Financial Aid
    • Office of Student Aid
    • Bursar's Office
  • Research
    • Office of Research and Outreach
    • Harrisburg LaunchBox
  • Student Life
    • Office of Student Life
    • Student Affairs
    • Student Initiated Fee
  • Community Safety & Health
    • University Police and Public Safety
    • PSUAlert
    • Weather Policy
Penn State University
777 West Harrisburg Pike, Middletown, PA 17057 717-948-6000

Footer Legal Menu

  • Privacy
  • Non-discrimination
  • Equal Opportunity
  • Accessibility
  • Copyright
  • Directory
  • The Pennsylvania State University © 2023
  • We Are Penn State