MPA Foundation Courses (9 Credits Required, Waivable)

• MPA 501L - Politics and Policy 3 Credits
• MPA 505N - Human Resource Management in Public Organizations 3 Credits
• MPA 508L - Statistics for Public Managers 3 Credits

MPA Core Courses (24 Credits Required, 3 Credits Waivable)

A student may be waived from the internship, MPA 660N , at the time of admission to the program based on criteria described above.

• MPA 500L - Introduction to Public Administration 3 Credits
• MPA 503L - Public Budgeting 3 Credits
• MPA 506N - Administrative Law 3 Credits
• MPA 507N - Technology Management 3 Credits
• MPA 513L - Program Planning and Evaluation 3 Credits
• MPA 530N - Organizational Theory and Change 3 Credits
• MPA 660N - Internship 3 Credits *
• MPA 699L - Innovation in Public Administration 3 Credits

MPA Elective Courses (9 Credits Required)

• MPA 502L - Economic Issues in the Public Sector 3 Credits
• MPA 521N - Management in Nonprofit Organizations 3 Credits
• MPA 616L - Cultural Competence in 3 Credits
• MPA 622N - Nonprofit Fundraising 3 Credits
• MPA 681N - US Health Care Policies and Systems 3 Credits
• MPA 682N - Ethical/Legal Issues in Health Care 3 Credits
• MPA 683N - Critical Issues in Health Care Leadership 3 Credits
• MBA 684N - Leadership, Power and Influence 3 Credits
• MBA 685N - Conflict & Negotiation 3 Credits
• MBA 688N - Ethical Management of Organization 3 Credits
• MSIS 537L - Data Management 3 Credits
• MSIS 545L - Intro to Data Analysis and Computational Statistics 3 Credits
• MSIS 645L - Data Mining and Predictive Analytics 3 Credits

MPA Concentration Areas

Course Format & Scheduling

Students may pursue the MPA program in a hybrid (face-to-face and online sessions), fully online, or through a combination of both-whatever best suits their needs. The face-to-face component of the hybrid courses are at the Marist main campus in Poughkeepsie, and at sites in Albany and NYC. Hybrid courses and online courses cover the same content, have identical learning goals, and are taught by the same faculty. The key difference is the delivery format.

Courses are offered in 8-week segments or “rounds.” Round 1 courses run the first 8 weeks of each semester. Round 2 courses run the second 8 weeks of each semester. The face-to-face component of the hybrid courses are offered over the same 8-week segments with meetings one night per week.

How Online Courses Work

Marist College, a recognized leader in the use of technology in the classroom, was the first college in New York State to gain approval to offer its entire MPA program online. Students juggling work responsibilities, military duty, travel requirements, and family obligations can pursue their MPA from the convenience of their own keyboards, whenever and wherever they may be. iLearn instructional technology enables students to interact extensively with their instructors and classmates. Online students log on according to their own schedules, when it is most convenient for them. Communication is continuous via e-mail, discussion forums, virtual group conference rooms, and private chat rooms. There is no on-campus requirement for students completing the program fully online, nor are all students expected to be online at the same time.

Admissions Requirements

The members of the MPA Admissions Committee look at the interest and aptitude of a prospective student as indicated by the applicant’s previous academic record, and past professional achievement and growth. All applicants must hold a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university.

Students entering the MPA program are expected to have strong computing (word-processing, spreadsheet, presentation software) skills as well as strong library and Internet research skills.

Application Procedures

The Admissions Committee will review applications of prospective students regardless of their undergraduate major. The overall scholastic record and potential of the applicant are assessed. Students who wish to pursue the program may begin in the fall or the spring semester. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Admission decisions are made according to published deadlines.

Applicants to the MPA program must submit:

• A completed Marist Graduate Admissions Application
• A $50.00 non-refundable application fee made payable to Marist College
• Official transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate institutions attended
•  A brief essay discussing why the applicant wishes to pursue the MPA and its relation to the applicant’s career goals
• A current résumé or a written statement describing the applicant’s work history and present responsibilities

Applicants whose undergraduate GPA is less than 3.0 may be required to submit their scores from the GRE, letter of reference, or show evidence of strong quantitative skills. The Marist College report code for the GRE application is 2400.

Transfer Credits

Applicants with previous graduate work earned in a similar program within 10 years of starting the MPA program may request to transfer up to 6 credits toward their MPA degree. A grade of B or better is required. Courses presented for transfer must be substantially equivalent to the Marist course requirement and must be presented at the time of admission. Transfer credits require the approval of the Department Chair and are accepted at the Chair’s discretion.

Registration Procedures

Registration and payment is done online. Students are encouraged to register early and are responsible for meeting registration deadlines.

MPA Program Academic Policies

In the Marist College Master of Public Administration Program, the maintenance of a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 is required for good academic standing and to graduate. Students must achieve a cumulative GPA of 3.0 after completing one semester of full-time study or its equivalent. Any student whose cumulative GPA falls below 3.0 will be placed on academic probation and they will have 9 credits in which to reestablish good academic standing. Students who receive an F in any class will be placed on academic probation and must retake the class the next time the class is offered. Up to two of the courses in which a grade of C or lower was earned may be repeated once. Graduate students on academic probation who receive a C or lower in any course at Marist may be dismissed from the program. Any student who has two semesters (consecutive or otherwise) of academic probation faces academic dismissal. The School of Management reviews student academic progress following completion of the fall, spring and summer semesters.

Students in the MPA Program are expected to maintain matriculation by completing at least one course per semester throughout the academic year (excluding summer classes). Any student who is compelled to leave school for even one semester must notify the School of Management (gradmgmt@marist.edu) in writing to request a Leave of Absence (LOA). Interruption of study beyond one academic year (2 semesters) requires re-application. The admissions policy and program curriculum effective at the time of re-admission will apply. All academic requirements for the MPA program must be completed within five years of admission. A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 is required to enroll in MPA 699L  and to graduate. Requests for an extension of the five-year limit must be made in writing to the School of Management (gradmgmt@marist.edu). Students dismissed from the program requesting a program committee review of the dismissal or consideration for re-admittance must apply in writing to the School of Management (gradmgmt@marist.edu).

Students may request permission to participate in May commencement exercises when they have completed all but 6 credits of their program, provided that the remaining courses will be completed by the end of the fall semester following commencement. Such requests should be made in writing to the School of Management (gradmgmt@marist.edu). Students must be in good academic standing (minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0) to participate in commencement.

Master of Public Administration Faculty

ROBERT APPLETON Adjunct Instructor of Public Administration, 2008. Degrees: B.S., Norwich University; M.P.A., Marist College

JOHN K. BAINBRIDGE Associate Professor of Public Administration, 2009. Degrees: B.A., Cornell University; M.P.A., Columbia University; Ph.D., Columbia University

WILLIAM S. BROWN Assistant Professor of Management, 1999. Degrees: B.A., Fairleigh Dickinson University; M.A., Montclair State University; M.B.A., Fairleigh Dickinson University; Ph.D., University of Pittsburgh.

LANORA D. CALLAHAN Adjunct Instructor of Public Administration, 2016. Degrees: B.A., Rutgers; M.Sc., University of Manchester; Ph.D. candidate, University of Roehampton

RICHARD CASTLE Adjunct Instructor of Public Administration, 2021. Degrees: B.S. SUNY Empire State College; M.P.A. Marist College.

TONY J. CARRIZALES Associate Professor of Public Administration, 2006. Degrees: B.A., Cornell University; M.P.A., Cornell Institute for Public Affairs; Ph.D., Rutgers University

DOUG CYR Adjunct Instructor of Public Administration, 2018. Degrees: B.A., University of Miami; M.A., California Institute of Integral Studies; M.P.A., Marist College

ALEXANDER C. HENDERSON Associate Professor of Public Administration, 2019. Degrees: B.A., Villanova University; M.P.A., Villanova University; Ph.D., Rutgers University.

RENA HILL Adjunct Instructor of Public Administration, 2006. Degrees: A.A.S., State University of New York at Dutchess; B.S., Marist College; M.P.A., Marist College

DEE LEVY Adjunct Instructor of Public Administration, 2018. Degrees: B.A., Stony Brook University; M.S.W. Stony Brook University; M.P.A., Marist College

YVETTE LOPEZ Adjunct Instructor of Public Administration, 2017. Degrees: B.A., Stony Brook University; J.D., Cornell Law School

LOUISE M. MCLOUGHLIN Adjunct Instructor of Public Administration, 2014. Degrees: B.A., Ithaca College; M.P.A., Marist College

JAMES MELITSKI Professor of Public Administration, 2003. Degrees: B.S., Ithaca College; M.A., Montclair State University; Ph.D., Rutgers University

DENNIS J. MURRAY President Emeritus, Marist College. Professor of Public Administration, 1979. Degrees: B.A., California State University, Long Beach; M.P.A., University of Southern California; Ph.D., University of Southern California

KENNETH SLOAN Associate Professor of Business, 2003. Degrees: B.A., M.P.A., M.B.A., Cleveland State University; Ed.D, George Washington University.

DELLA LEE SUE Assistant Professor of Economics, 2006. Degrees: A.B., Mount Holyoke College; M.A., Boston University; M.Phil and Ph.D., Columbia University

ANNE ZAHRADNIK Associate Professor of Health Care, 2010. Degrees: B.A., University of Pittsburgh; M.A., Western Michigan University; Ph.D., Western Michigan University