Master's of Public Administration Online

Master of Science in Management - Public Administration

Public administration professionals are found in many areas, from private and public-sector organizations to non-profit and community service-based companies. Colorado Technical University’s Master of Science in Management with a concentration in Public Administration focuses on helping students prepare and develop technical leadership and management skills in the areas of public administration and policy.

CTU’s Master of Science in Management with a concentration in Public Administration focuses on studies relevant to management positions within government agencies and at businesses, nonprofits, universities and non-government organizations that work with those agencies.

Ranked Among the Best Online Master's in Business Programs

For the eighth consecutive year, CTU's Master of Science in Management degree programs are ranked among the Best Online Master's in Business Programs (excluding MBA) by U.S. News & World Report.*

CTU strives to make it convenient to manage your education anytime, anywhere with CTU Mobile. Classes start 9 times per year and run 5 weeks long.

* CTU programs are ranked among U.S. News & World Report’s 2023 Best Online Programs.

Relevant Institutional/Programmatic Accreditation
CTU is institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission www.hlcommission.org

CLASSES START

January 02, 2024
February 06, 2024
March 19, 2024

TOTAL CREDITS

PROGRAM AVAILABILITY

Online

Program Details

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Program Overview

The Master of Science in Management with a concentration in Public Administration (MSM-PA) is a 48-credit-hour program offered online. The program includes 28 credit hours of core management courses and 20 credit hours devoted to the public administration concentration.

This program is geared toward students who are interested in pursuing management careers in government agencies or in businesses that deal with government agencies in one capacity or another. The concentration courses focus on how public agencies operate, how they are funded, and how to apply traditional private-sector management principles to public-sector challenges. The program provides students with a mix of traditional management and public administration courses, and is designed to support those looking into private sector opportunities that involve interaction with government agencies; government positions at the local, state, and federal levels; or nonprofit and non-governmental agencies.

This program does not lead to additional licensure or certification. As such, CTU has made no determination regarding prerequisites for licensure or certification in any state or jurisdiction.
The mission of the College of Business and Management is to offer professional market-driven business degrees that build business competencies transferrable to all industries. The College of Business and Management accomplishes this mission by offering curriculum that aligns to industry standards, remains relevant, and builds practical skills applicable to the competitive global business environment.

Degree Requirements

Courses- Concentration

Credits

Course Title	Course Description	Credit Hours
PA600 This course provides an introduction to the field of public administration. It addresses the social, political, and economic contexts of public administration, the nature of public-sector bureaucracies and political decision-making processes, public administration theory, and the nature of government and governance	Public Administration Theory and Practice	4
PA605 This course will provide a working knowledge of quantitative, qualitative, mixed, and action research approaches. It covers the entire research process for each of these methods to include: formulating research questions; developing research proposals; performing a literature search and analysis; sampling and measurement; research design; data analysis; and writing and presenting the research report will be analyzed.	Graduate Research Methods for Public Administration	4
PA610 This course will focus on helping the student develop a working understanding of the roles of the federal, state, and local governments in public policymaking and administration in the United States. Topics to be covered include: the US Constitution, the principles of Federalism, the role of the federal government, the role of state and local government, the differing legal and institutional environments operating at the different levels of government, and decision-making processes at the different levels of government.	Federal, State, and Local Government	4
PA615 This course will address the role and methods of budgeting and financial management of public sector agencies. Course topics will include: budget preparation and implementation, legislative review and auditing, budget analysis, debt management, fund accounting, and forecasting.	Budgeting and Finance for Public Administration	4
PA620 This course will represent the culminating experience of the program and will be undertaken once the student has successfully completed all the core courses in the program. The course will involve the student conducting research and producing a professional-quality analytical paper that addresses a problem or issue in public administration. Course topics will include: public administration analysis and evaluation, strategic planning, ethical, and governance issues.	Capstone in Public Administration	4
	Total Credit Hours:	20

Courses - Core

Credits

Course Title	Course Description	Credit Hours
FINC615 Emphasizes management decision making utilizing accounting and finance concepts. The following subjects are addressed in the course: financial reports and metrics, financial analysis and planning, financial forecasting, financial markets, financial leverage, working capital management, capital budgeting processes, cost of capital and long term financing. The student will apply the knowledge learned by completing a financial strategy report and accomplishing a research report summarizing an application of financial analysis from either the academic or professional literature.	Applied Managerial Finance	4
INTD670 The course analyzes the concepts of leadership versus managerial roles and responsibilities relative to societal expectations for ethical behavior and regulatory scrutiny affecting both leaders and managers in an organization setting. This course also differentiates among ethical decision-making processes and decision problems with ethical implications. Students examine a variety of complex ethical issues confronting industry leaders and professionals as they work with various stakeholders of an organization. Additionally, students explore the code of conduct at work, methods to implement a code of conduct, and issues related to managing conflicts of interest within a decision making process.	Leadership and Ethical Decision-Making	4
IT600 Information Technology Management explores the use of information technology to achieve competitive advantage, efficient operations and effective decision-making. This course also analyzes the functions of information technology and its impact on competitive strategy and organizational operations.	IT Management	4
MGMT607 The course analyzes the concepts of organizational behavior and how to integrate socio-technical concepts and tools in organizational settings. As part of the course, students consider the cultural norms and behaviors necessary to help the organization succeed. The course also reviews organizational behavior concepts and infrastructure, which includes people, processes, and the technology inherent in contemporary organizations.	Organizational Behavior in a Socio-technical Environment	4
MGMT690 Students will master analytical and integrative tools to perform in-depth analyses of industries, firms, and competitors. Course material includes methods to predict competitive behavior and develop and implement strategic plans to achieve and sustain a competitive profile in the emerging global marketplace.	Strategic Management in Dynamic Environments	4
MKTG630 This course emphasizes the application of marketing concepts, tools and decision-making processes middle managers use in developing marketing plans, programs and strategies. Within the marketing strategy framework, it also examines market analysis and measurement, profitability and productivity analysis, product development, promotion and pricing strategies, the logistics systems approach and the marketing plan. The student will apply the knowledge learned by structuring and presenting to the class a practical strategic marketing plan.	Applied Managerial Marketing	4
PJM600 This course is an introduction to the foundational discipline of effective project management in any industry. It examines the methods, approaches, processes, skills, tools and techniques, and value delivery system that project managers use to complete their projects on schedule, within budget, within scope, within quality, and customer acceptance. Students will explore and apply elements of the theoretical and operational framework of project management.	Project Management Fundamentals	4
	Total Credit Hours:	28

Total Credit Hours: 48

Accreditations and Alignments

This program is not accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).
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Next Steps

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Classes start January 2, 2024 *

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FAQs

What is a Master of Science in Management (MSM) in Public Administration degree?

CTU’s Master of Science in Management (MSM) in Public Administration Degree Program is designed to provide knowledge, skills, and abilities relevant for pursuing potential opportunities in the workforce. This management degree program emphasizes the ways in which public agencies operate, how they are funded, and how to apply traditional private-sector management principles to public-sector challenges. The program provides students with a mix of traditional management and public administration courses, and is designed to support those looking into private sector opportunities that involve interaction with government agencies; government positions at the local, state, and federal levels; or nonprofit and non-governmental agencies.

What will I study in this MSM degree program?

As you work to complete your MSM, you will be immersed in courses where you will study these topics and much more: social, political, and economic contexts of public administration; research approaches and processes; and the roles of various levels of government in public policymaking and administration.

When and where can I begin my classes?

Courses for the Master of Science in Management in Public Administration start online approximately every five weeks. Completion of the CTU admissions process will depend on how quickly you complete the steps in the CTU online application process. You may complete the application process over the phone with an advisor or you may go online. Once you’ve completed the online application, you may hear from an advisor within the following 24 hours to discuss the next steps toward starting your degree program. Master’s programs may have additional entrance requirements that take additional processing time.

How many credits are required to graduate from a master’s degree program?

The Master of Science in Management in Public Administration degree program consists of 48 credits. You may be eligible for transfer credit, which is evaluated on an individual basis. Not all credits are eligible to transfer.

Why should I pursue an MSM degree at CTU?

As you study topics in management and public administration that are always being evaluated and updated to reflect industry-relevant trends, you will experience a curriculum through classroom learning and hands-on experience that aligns to industry standards and helps you work to develop skills that are applicable to the competitive global business environment.

Master's of Public Administration Online

Master of Science in Management - Public Administration

CLASSES START

TOTAL CREDITS

PROGRAM AVAILABILITY

Program Details

Estimate Tuition and Grad Date

Program Overview

Degree Requirements

Courses- Concentration

Courses - Core

Accreditations and Alignments

Ways to Save

Next Steps

Where do I go from here?

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Classes start January 2, 2024 *

Request Information

FAQs