Kaplan’s online MPA degree offers real-world learning

As part of Govpro.com’s series on Master’s of Public Administration (MPA) programs and their value to government administrators, here is some information on the Kaplan University MPA degree. Kaplan’s program focuses on teaching its MPA students to evaluate, implement, and manage policy, and to make ethical and effective decisions in the interest of the public.

Kaplan’s MPA study areas include:

· General master of public administration

· Health care management

· Governmental management

· Criminal justice

· Fire science and emergency services

Kaplan’s program helps students to pursue career placements such as:

· Director/president of a nonprofit organization

· Medical/health service manager

· Research and policy analyst

· City manager

· Government relations director

Prospective students can try classes at Kaplan before they pay tuition. The Kaplan Commitment allows students to attend real classes for a five-week trial period with no financial obligation beyond the nonrefundable application fee. Conditions apply.

Here are the views of Jamie Scripps, Academic Department Chair in Kaplan University’s Department of Public Administration. Kaplan’s main campus is in Davenport, Iowa, and its headquarters is in Chicago.

Scripps earned a bachelor’s in education and a law degree from the University of Michigan, as well as a master’s in leadership studies from North Central College. She practiced environmental law before joining Kaplan.

Govpro: Does it make sense to earn an online Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree in 2012?

Jamie Scripps: Earning an MPA in 2012 makes a lot of sense. We need those who are called to public service to step forward and lead, armed with a strong understanding of how government works, and how to run programs in the public sector in an effective and efficient manner. In terms of the job outlook, we have all seen the effect of governmental budget cuts at the state level, and an MPA – and the expertise that goes with it – can go a long way toward making a candidate more attractive and more competitive in the job market. At the federal level, there will be increased opportunities as retirements take effect, so the overall job outlook for public administration is good.

Govpro: Can earning an MPA degree help advance careers in government, or provide job security, or help develop new skills?

JS: Earning an MPA can help advance the public service careers of those who wish to rise to positions of leadership within the bureaucracy. Nothing can guarantee job security, but an MPA degree makes a candidate more competitive, and the knowledge and new skills gained in pursuing an MPA make an employee more valuable to the organization. For example, the online MPA program at Kaplan University places significant emphasis on solid business and financial skills — in some ways similar to an MBA program — skills that are more important than ever in a strained budget environment.

Govpro: Are there benefits to earning an online MPA versus earning an MPA in a traditional bricks-and-mortar MPA program?

JS: Aside from flexibility and convenience, earning an MPA in an online environment connects students to experts in the field — their instructors — who are located throughout the nation and the world. Online instructors provide real-world examples from their particular corner of the globe, bringing the subject to life and broadening the horizons of their students. Kaplan University has a very diverse faculty, and many of our instructors maintain positions in public administration, giving them real-time life experiences to share with students.

Prospective students can learn more about Kaplan University’s online Masters of Public Administration program at publicadministration.kaplan.edu or by calling toll-free at 866-583-4432.

Govpro has featured MPA programs from several institutions including:

—Indiana University’s School of Public and Environmental Affairs (SPEA), which has launched an online master’s degree in public affairs.

—The
MPA degree program at the Charles Town, W.Va.-based
American Public University, part of the
American Public University System.