1. UNCW Masters of Public Administration
What’s in it for you?

2. Mission
The mission of the MPA program is to advance effective public governance in southeastern North Carolina and beyond through the education of future leaders, relevant research, and a commitment to service that strengthens communities.

3. Opportunities Yielded by the MPA
The Masters of Public Administration (MPA) degree is the professional degree for students seeking a career in public service or nonprofit management. MPA programs develop the skills and techniques used by managers to implement policies, projects, and programs that resolve important problems within their organization and in society.

4. MPA Program Overview 2 year program Full/Part time Enrollment
Afternoon & Evening Classes
Online Courses
Financial Support
Tuition and Fees
Flexible Internship Opportunities
Supportive Peers and Alumni
Study Abroad Opportunities
It’s a 2 year program that can be accomplished through full time or part time enrollment. Full time student usually earn their degree in roughly 2 years where a part time student earns it in roughly 3. This includes 2 fall, 2 spring and 1 summer semester to graduate. The program offers afternoon and evening classes to accommodate those who work during the day. The class times that are offered are and If these times don’t fit the students needs, every professor offers online courses for distant learning.
There is a plethora of financial support ranging from Federal financial aid including but not limited to the GI Bill, students of the National Guard also have access to the State tuition assistance which is processed on first come first serve basis. Students can also apply for a GTA position to help with school costs.
The degree requires 300 hours of and internship or fellowship during your enrollment. This is easy to accommodate for since so many institutions in the NH and Brunswick areas are looking for interns. Our faculty are great for forwarding job and internship opportunities weekly to the students. This does not usually apply to students who work full time. The faculty will work around your schedule the best that they can.
Practicum/Internship can be waived with 5 years. Practicum can replace Internship and integrate into current or previous employment experience.

5. Advantages of the MPA
The MPA program offers critical skills courses for effective public and nonprofit policy and management.
Flexible Curriculum and Concentrations
Fully Prepares students for Career Goals
Outstanding faculty with academic & professional experience
Expanding online classroom opportunities
MPA offers a wide range of concentrations to fit every students interests and specialization.

6. Masters of Public Administration Concentrations
Public Management
Nonprofit Management
Coastal Planning and Management
Environmental Policy
Public Policy Analysis
Urban and Regional Policy and Planning
Marine Policy
Create your Own!
The MPA program allows students to have a wide range of skills with the variation of concentrations. Some students have dual concentrations which is the equivalent to two graduate degrees. If none of these degrees excite you, you can create your own within the curriculum of the program to specialize yourself for your career after school.

7. Careers of MPA’s
100% Post-Graduate Employment Rate (UNCW past 2 years)
Local/State/Federal Employment
Increase of ~$10,000 in income post graduate
Continuous Leadership Opportunities
National Survey data through NASPAA shows employment rate of approximately 80% with 11% employed, but seeking new positions. UNCW reflects 100% employment rate from the program.
Turnover is more a reflection of diverse employment opportunity vs. employment challenges.
MPA/MPP graduates usually enter the federal government at GS-9, or at GS-11 if they have relevant work experience. In 2017, a GS-9’s annual pay starts at $43,251, while a GS-11’s starts at $52,329. Federal workers are usually promoted within their grade in 1-2 “steps” per year.

8. National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration
Double check the meaning of this source information. It should be in the original survey data.
Source: NASPAA 2015 Alumni Survey

9. Source: NASPAA 2015 Alumni Survey

10. N=540
Source: NASPAA 2015 Alumni Survey

11. Special Benefits for Military Members
UNCW accepts Military Transfer Credits (MTC’s)
Graduate school application fee is waived
Military members stationed within NC at the time of application are eligible for in-state tuition rate.
Military Specific Audience
IF a person has 60 credits (Associates Degree) from the Military, IF that person is GI Bill eligible, then only 1 year of education needs to be paid to achieve 2 degrees
E5 second enlistment, over 6 years: , $35,103.60
Chart is available for comparison, downloaded for 2018.

12. UNCW MPA Faculty
Dr. Jennifer Biddle-Collaborative Governance & Coastal Sustainability, Collaborative Processes/outcomes
Dr. John Brennan-Regional Economic Development, History of American Public Administration, Urban Policy and Planning
Dr. Christopher Prentice-Public Administration and Nonprofit Management
Dr. Mark Imperial-Collaboration, Institutional Analysis, Coastal Planning and Management, Watershed Governance
Dr. Kristen Kinzer-Urban Planning, Quantitative Research Methods, Geospatial Information Systems
Dr. Jeffrey Brudney-Nonprofit Management, Public Service Delivery, Research Methods and Statistics, Volunteering and Volunteer Programs

13. Student Resources
Financial Aid Councilor: Alton Johnson
Student Veteran Organization (SVO)/ Facebook
Military Affairs Office
Military Resource Lounge
UNCW MPA

14. Department of Public and International Affairs
Leutze Hall 267
Jeffrey Brudney, Ph.D
Phone: (910)
Contact Us!