2026-2027 Graduate Catalog

The University of Wisconsin-Green Bay’s Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree is a professional degree that prepares students for a career in public and nonprofit service, including the development of technical skills and specialized expertise required of individuals working with public resources in the public or nonprofit sector.  This includes a grounding in the theories and principles of public administration as well as applied and hands-on learning in public policy and management topics.

The curriculum is developed to include topics related to those working as a part of the policy process as well as the implementation of public policy with competencies in policy analysis, program evaluation, public budgeting and financial management, organizational behavior and management, human resources management, and ethics for public service. As such, it is tailored  leaders and managers in public/governmental entities as well as nonprofit organizations who are major players in the delivery of public services and operate with similar missions, values, and purposes as their governmental counterparts and whose successful operation requires many of the same skills and competencies.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of their degree, an MPA has prepared students for upper-level management or policy positions in public and/or nonprofit service.  This could include employment in governmental agencies, nonprofits, or private companies with social missions (such as benefit corporations or social enterprises), in positions such as policy analyst, executive director, city or county manager, budget analyst or development director.  Therefore, upon graduation of the MPA program, students will have the ability to:

1. synthesize the major theories of the field to articulate how they inform a public service perspective;
2. collect, manage, evaluate, and apply data to make decisions and solve public and nonprofit problems;
3. utilize core budgeting and financial management skills to effectively advance the mission of public service organizations;
4. effectively and ethically communicate and interact with a diverse and changing workforce through the application of leadership and management theories and behaviors; and
5. embed leadership and management with the core values of the field which include social equity, inclusion, democratic accountability, professionalism, and ethics.

Admission Requirements 

The Office of Graduate Studies sets minimum standards for admission requirements to all graduate programs. Please consult this section of the catalog to review requirements for admission, including the official transcripts you must submit.

In addition to the minimum requirements, including a 2.75 cumulative GPA, this program also requires the following:

• A personal statement that describes your interest in working in the public and nonprofit sector, your professional goals as they relate to this interest, and how you believe UW-Green Bay’s MPA program can help you achieve these goals. Space for the personal statement is included in the online application.
• Two letters of evaluation
• International students should consult the Office of Graduate Studies requirements for all international applicants in the front of the catalog. 

NOTE: Applicants with a GPA of less than 2.75 may be considered for provisional admission.

Emergency Management Degree Requirements  

The 30-36 credit curriculum consists of a graduate core of six required courses (18 credits), a choice between areas of emphases (Public Management [Current], Nonprofit Management [current], or Emergency Management [Proposed]), and two tracks (Traditional or Executive).

Traditional: Students completing the Traditional Track will complete 36 credit hours of approved coursework consisting of an 18-credit hour core, with an additional 12 credit hours of elective classes (in area of concentration), a 3 credit-hour internship or applied practicum project, and a 3-credit capstone.

Executive: Students completing the Executive Track will complete 30 credit hours that will include 27 credits (an 18-credit core and 9 credits of electives), as well as a 3-credit capstone course. 

Nonprofit Management Degree Requirements 

The 30-36 credit curriculum consists of a graduate core of six required courses (18 credits), a choice between two emphases (Public Management or Nonprofit Management), and two tracks (Traditional or Executive).

Traditional: Students completing the Traditional Track will complete 36 credit hours of approved coursework consisting of an 18-credit hour core, with an additional 12 credit hours of elective classes (in either public or nonprofit management), a 3 credit-hour internship or applied practicum project, and a 3-credit capstone.

Executive: Students completing the Executive Track will complete 30 credit hours that will include 27 credits (an 18-credit core and 9 credits of electives), as well as a 3-credit capstone course. 

Public Management Emphasis Degree Requirements

The 30-36 credit curriculum consists of a graduate core of six required courses (18 credits), a choice between two emphases (Public Management or Nonprofit Management), and two tracks (Traditional or Executive).

Traditional: Students completing the Traditional Track will complete 36 credit hours of approved coursework consisting of an 18-credit hour core, with an additional 9 credit hours of elective classes, 6 credit hours of required courses, and a 3-credit capstone.

Executive: Students completing the Executive Track will complete 30 credit hours that will include an 18-credit core, 6 credit hours of required courses, 3 credit hours of elective courses, as well as a 3-credit capstone course. 

Progress to Degree 

1. The candidate applies to the Master of Public Administration program by submitting the appropriate application materials. 
2. The candidate is admitted to the Master of Public Administration program by the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay program's admission committee.
3. The student fulfills the degree requirements for the program.
4. The student is awarded a Master of Public Administration degree from the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay.