Central Michigan University offers MPA degree courses at a variety of U.S. locations

As part of our series on Master’s of Public Administration (MPA) degree programs and their value to government administrators, Govpro.com looked into the MPA degree offerings of Mount Pleasant, Mich.-based Central Michigan University (CMU).

Established in 1892, CMU is one of the 100 largest public universities in the U.S. and the fourth largest in Michigan, with more than 28,000 students in Mount Pleasant, Mich., online and at more than 50 locations worldwide. CMU offers more than 200 academic programs at the undergraduate through doctoral levels and is establishing a medical college.

In its MPA degree program, CMU’s core faculty members bring public administrative service experience to their classrooms, and the program’s adjunct faculty are individuals who are currently working in the public administration field.

Lawrence Sych, CMU’s MPA program director provided Govpro with some information on CMU’s offerings.

Govpro: What are some characteristics of the program?

Lawrence Sych: CMU’s Master of Public Administration degree program began offering courses at various locations across the United States in 1995. The CMU MPA degree program is accredited by the Washington-based National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration (NASPAA). The program offers a flexible, adult-friendly format focused on individuals who are currently working in the public sector for state, local and federal government agencies as well as administrators in the not-for-profit public service realm.

Govpro: Can you tell us about the team-teaching concept at your school?

LS: Students in CMU’s Master of Public Administration program participate in courses that incorporate a team-teaching component with a faculty member and a current public administrator, providing detailed application of concepts and theories discussed in the curriculum.

When we see this collaboration between students and faculty in our cohorts, my colleagues and I are enthused and energized. We all gain immensely from our interaction with practitioners in our MPA programs, and it’s a rewarding and a rich exposure to ideas for everyone involved.

Govpro: Do you have any advice for people thinking of earning an MPA degree?

LS: In determining which MPA program is right for you, here are a few questions you should consider:

· Does the program provide a practitioner-focused schedule with an understanding of the expanding internationalization of public administration?

· Is the program affiliated with national- and international-focused organizations that are relevant to the public administration field?

· Is the program a member of NASPAA and/or NASPAA accredited?

· Does the program incorporate relevant course materials that will provide a practitioner with the tools needed for the demands of public service, and does the program consistently offer new cases and course work relevant to the public administration field?

This website has information on CMU’s off-campus and online course offerings. Go here for additional information on CMU’s MPA program.

Among MPA programs profiled at Govpro.com, we’ve written about Post University’s totally online MPA degree
program and the fast-growing MPA degree
offering at the University of Texas at San Antonio.