MPA Program Overview
Our online Master of Public Administration program is designed to help students enter into or advance their current careers in the public and nonprofit sectors. As you progress through the program, you’ll learn how to address organizational issues and policy questions in a practical, competent, ethical, legal and politically savvy manner, with the overarching goal of supporting the public interest. Graduates of our program go on to apply their expertise in a wide range of fields including healthcare, public safety, economic development, human services, criminal justice, parks and recreation, fine arts, and transportation. Our convenient online format allows you to complete studies on your own schedule and earn your degree in as little as one year.
UT Permian Basin’s online MPA program enables you to:
- Refine a variety of practical skills.
- Identify and address ongoing challenges in public administration.
- Gain a respected, career-enhancing credential.
- Prepare for rewarding leadership roles.
- Move into or between the public and nonprofit sectors.
Our program provides tremendous advantages, including:
- Elective courses that allow you to gear your studies toward your specific area of interest.
- Competitive pricing for a cost-effective education.
- A top-quality education delivered by supportive faculty.
- Core faculty members with extensive practical experience in public and/or nonprofit service.
- No thesis or internship requirement.
- A 100% online format.
- Eight-week courses.
- Six start dates throughout the year.
- Degree completion in as little as 12 months.
21 Credits. The online MPAL courses explicitly listed in the plan immediately below are all required core courses that are part of the current standard schedule or “carousel” as shown. In addition to the current standard schedule, a few of the MPAL core courses (MPAL 6301, MPAL 6302, and MPAL6320) are presently offered twice per year.
15 Credits. Regarding electives, students may choose from a variety of courses offered by MPAL and other programs at UTPB (e.g., the MBA program, the Master of Arts in Educational Leadership program, and others). Selection of electives is subject to review by the MPAL coordinator to ensure appropriateness. See example courses below. Other UTPB courses from the catalog may be acceptable as electives. A few of the elective courses listed below indicate a prerequisite. This does not apply to Master of Public Administration students.
MPA Program Admission Requirements
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university
- Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher
- Two years of full-time professional work experience in public, non-proft, or for-profit organizations
- Two letters of recommendation
- These letters should be from persons who have knowledge of the applicant's academic preparation and potential in the areas of public and community service
Conditional Admission Requirements
In addition to the requirements below, factors such as extensive professional work experience, completion of graduate courses, and relevant volunteer work will also be considered.
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university
- Cumulative GPA of 2.50-2.99
- Two letters of recommendation
- Minimum GRE score of 280 may be considered, but is not mandatory
- Other evidence (at least one of the following):
- Completion of graduate courses
- Current or previous professional service in governmental, public service, nonprofit, or for-profit organizations
Official Transcripts
Official transcripts in electronic format can be sent to admissions@utpb.edu. Official hard copies of transcripts must come directly from the school in a sealed envelope to our Office of Admissions and should be mailed to this address:
UT Permian Basin
Office of Admissions
4901 E. University Blvd.
Odessa, TX 79762
Supporting Documents
All supporting documents related to a graduate program, such as letters of recommendation, essays, statements of interest, resumes, professional work experience, and awards should be sent to the Graduate Studies Office:
UT Permian Basin
Graduate Studies
4901 E. University Blvd.
Odessa, TX 79762-0001
Electronic versions of supporting documents may be emailed to gradstudies@utpb.edu.
Application Fee
The application fee is $40.
Social Sciences Department Chair
Associate Professor
Master of Public Administration Program Coordinator
College of Arts and Sciences
abrams_h@utpb.edu
Dr. Abrams came to UT Permian Basin in 2008 for a second career in academia after working for years in managerial roles for a variety of public and nonprofit agencies in New York City and Boston. His service areas included child welfare, emergency medical services, mental health, education, and social services. He completed a doctorate in public administration from New York University in 1991. Dr. Abrams has published articles in peer-reviewed journals such as Public Performance and Management Review, the Journal of Public Affairs Education, and Resuscitation. His research centers on performance management, improving out-of-hospital cardiac arrest survival rates, and issues in healthcare system policy and management.
Assistant Professor
College of Arts and Sciences
hijal_i@utpb.edu
Dr. Hijal-Moghrabi has been teaching at UT Permian Basin since 2016. She earned her PhD in public affairs from UT Dallas and a BA and MA in public administration from the American University of Beirut. She has been a financial controller responsible for promoting proper budget execution by diverse national public agencies in Lebanon. Her research interests include innovation and change, performance management, performance budgeting, government ethics, organizational stress, and other human resource management-related issues. Dr. Hijal-Moghrabi’s scholarly work has appeared in Administration & Society, Public Administration Quarterly, Public Performance & Management Review, Public Organization Review, Public Integrity, and Review of Public Personnel Administration.
Adjunct Professor
College of Arts and Sciences
mcmichael_t@utpb.edu
Dr. McMichael received his PhD from Texas Tech University in 2015. He is an expert in game theory, empirical modeling (econometrics), and public policy. Dr. McMichael has published in journals including the Japanese Journal of Political Science and Asian Survey and co-authored the forthcoming book Toxic Chemicals in America: Policies, Trends, and Controversies in Public and Environmental Health.
We’re pleased to offer program admission on a rolling basis.
Rolling admission refers to our process of accepting and evaluating applications as we receive them and moving any applications that miss the deadline to the next semester. However, if you want to enroll in courses for a specific semester, you will need to make note of the application deadlines found below. If you don’t complete your application and submit the required materials by the deadline, your application will be rolled over to the next semester.