“Whoever saves one life, saves the world entire”  

—Thomas Keneally, paraphrased from the Talmud 

Imagine if you could solve the world’s problems with a wave of your hand. Like magic, you could reform melted glaciers, shelter the country’s stray animals, and provide free meals to school children. 

Sadly, the world’s problems can’t be fixed so easily.  

Humanitarians are better able to create change by focusing on one specific area of need. That’s why The University of Texas Permian Basin developed an online Master of Public Administration (MPA) program with three optional focus areas:  

  • Education  
  • Nonprofit  
  • Healthcare 

Choosing a focus area allows students the opportunity to tailor their degree to their interests, ensuring their time and energy (not to mention tuition) are spent on topics that align with their career goals. 

Nonprofit 

Nonprofit organizations like the American Red Cross, Feeding America, and the Humane Society of the United States engage with communities to further social causes. Nonprofits are funded by grants, fundraising, and donations specifically devoted to accomplishing a mission rooted in a public or social benefit.  

Career Outlook in Nonprofit 

Nonprofit employment has also grown by 33% since 2006. To put that into perspective, the for-profit sector grew by only 9% during that time. If you’re looking for a career in the nonprofit sector, you’re going to find plenty of opportunities. 

Students in this focus area gain in-depth knowledge crucial for nonprofit management, exploring such topics as public engagement, managerial decision-making, marketing concepts, and financial management. Available courses include: 

  • Financial Management for Public and Nonprofit Organizations 
  • Innovation in Public and Nonprofit Organizations 
  • Marketing Management 

Education 

The U.S. public school system has been marred by controversy, to say the least. Every week, there seems to be a headline about a school district banning books or a politician attacking educators to rile their base. Along with administrators, teachers, and staff, public school students need champions willing to fight for a safe, effective learning environment. 

Will you be that champion? Choose our Education focus area and you’ll have the opportunity to enroll in: 

  • Issues in Health and Human Services Policy Management 
  • School Public Relations 
  • School Law 

Student learning outcomes outline the knowledge needed to promote student success. Throughout these courses, students develop the capacity to fulfill administrative responsibilities in an honest, fair, and ethical manner. Above all, students learn how to collaborate with families and stakeholders and mobilize community resources to realize a shared vision.  

Healthcare 

Healthcare is a critical yet vulnerable system. Doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals, once celebrated as essential workers, are under as much pressure as ever—and there’s no indication that the pressure will let up. Public administrators in the healthcare sector can champion these essential workers, ensuring they have the resources their patients need.  

Apply to our online MPA program with a Healthcare focus and enroll in: 

  • Issues in Health and Human Services Policy Management 
  • Healthcare Management  
  • Healthcare Marketing 

Through this focus area, you’ll acquire a profound understanding of accounting, finance, marketing, information systems, and human resources management within the healthcare sector. We’ve developed this focus area to prepare you for the managerial, policy, and healthcare issues you’ll likely encounter early in your career. Learn what it takes to ensure doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals receive the resources they need to deliver high-quality healthcare.  

Core Courses and Electives in UTPB’s Online MPA Program 

Seven core courses, each 3 credit hours in length, are designed to set students up for success in all areas of public administration. Analytical techniques, personnel administration, and public budgeting are only some of the essential topics covered in these required courses. Students can expect to cultivate career skills as well as soft skills highly sought after within the public administration sectors.  

Elective Courses 

Students pursuing an education, nonprofit, or healthcare focus will take three courses in their focus area, which will count toward their five-course elective requirement. After, students will need to select two additional courses (6 credit hours in total). Students may enroll in courses from other focus areas, such as School Law, Healthcare Management, or Innovation in Public and Nonprofit Organizations. However, other UT Permian Basin courses from our course catalog may be acceptable. 

Apply to UT Permian Basin’s Online MPA Program 

The benefits of our online Master of Public Administration program extend far beyond our focus areas. Entirely online, our program offers the flexibility you need to pursue your degree without putting your life on hold. (Good luck trying to find a graduate student without personal or professional commitments.)  

UT Permian Basin, and by extension its online MPA program, is accredited by the prestigious Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Our program is led by an experienced team of educators, each of whom has years of experience in public administration. If you want to give back to your community, our online program offers the prestigious education and degree you need to make a difference.  

Apply today to our online MPA program!

Sources: 
https://www.britannica.com/topic/nonprofit-organization