Courses of Study 2024-2025
Master of Public Administration
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In the Brooks School of Public Policy .
Program Information
Director, Matt Hall, [email protected]
Executive Director of Public Affairs Programming, Tom O’Toole, [email protected]
- Instruction Mode: Primarily in-person (unless otherwise specified)
- Length of Program: Full-time, 2 years
- Total Credits: 48
The Master of Public Administration (MPA) Program at the Cornell Brooks School spans two years and is designed for graduate-level professional studies. It aims to cultivate an in-depth comprehension of the political and administrative processes involved in formulating issues, problems, and policies. Additionally, the program focuses on developing knowledge of the economic and fiscal foundations for governmental actions within a market economy. Students gain proficiency in analytical tools for program design and evaluation, as well as assessing policy implications. The curriculum also provides insights into the operations of public, private, and nonprofit organizations, including management strategies. Moreover, there is an emphasis on fostering sensitivity to the moral and ethical aspects of public and nonprofit management, as well as public policy matters. MPA students further enhance their leadership abilities and acquire essential professional skills necessary for career progression.
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Program Overview
The MPA Program provides a foundational framework for graduate study in public affairs, with students taking an active role in shaping their educational and career paths at the Cornell Brooks School. Upon enrollment, each student is assigned a faculty mentor. Collaborating with their mentors and the MPA Student Advising Coordinator, students develop personalized study plans. This includes choosing a concentration and determining their preferred method for fulfilling the professional writing/analysis requirement, which can be completed through: a capstone project, a professional report, or a thesis. The thesis option entails selecting an additional advisor from the Jeb. E. Brooks School of Public Policy Faculty, specializing in the relevant subject matter.
Throughout the two-year program, MPA students must successfully complete at least sixteen full-semester courses, amounting to 48 credits (typically four courses per semester). Full-semester courses are either 3 or 4 credits each, with two 1.5 or 2-credit courses counting as one full-semester course. All courses contributing to the MPA degree must be at the 5000 level or higher.
Instruction for the program is primarily conducted in person unless otherwise specified. To maintain good academic standing, MPA students are required to uphold a GPA of 2.0 (3.0 for funding eligibility), avoid any failing grades in degree-related classes, and limit incomplete grades to a maximum of two (2).
Residence Requirement
MPA students must fulfill four semesters of on-campus study to meet the requirements for the MPA degree. However, exceptions can be granted for students who participate in an approved semester of off-campus study.
Foundational Coursework
MPA students are required to complete a minimum of 24 credits in foundational coursework, consisting of eight courses in total. The following five courses are required and must be taken in the fall of the MPA student’s first year:
In addition to the above-required courses, students must choose courses from each of the following three foundation areas, with at least one course from each sub-area:
- Administrative, Political, and Policy Processes (minimum 6 credits)
- One course on leading and managing in the public affairs arena
- One course analyzing politics and processes for implementing policy
- Economic Analysis and Public Sector Economics (minimum 3 credits)
- One course on the microeconomics of government policy
- Quantitative Methods and Analytics (minimum 3 credits)
- One course on decision analytic methods for public affairs
Additional Foundation Course
MPA students are required to complete at least one additional full-semester course, totaling a minimum of 3 credits. This course can be chosen from any of the foundation areas previously mentioned or selected from a list of pre-approved additional foundation courses outlined in the MPA Course Guide.
Concentration Coursework
For their concentration, MPA students are required to complete at least five courses, totaling a minimum of 15 credits, in their chosen area of professional focus. This includes taking one Concentration Gateway course, which acts as a field seminar providing students with a comprehensive overview of the current scholarship and practices within their selected concentration.
It’s important to note that no MPA student is permitted to enroll in more than half of their concentration courses from another professional master’s program. Examples of such programs include but are not limited to, NBA, AEM, HADM, ILR, CRP, ENG, and ENGMT.
Professional Development Coursework
As part of their MPA degree requirements, students must complete a minimum of 6 credits in professional development coursework. This includes taking two courses focused on enhancing professional writing/analytical qualifications or strengthening professional preparation.
Additionally, students are obligated to fulfill a practical experience component. This requirement can be met through various options, including:
- Internship
- Externship/Off-Campus Study
- Completion of the Capstone Course
- Approved engaged learning experiences, such as the MPA Program Practicums, SMART Program, or SGE Immersion
Practical Experience: Internships, Off-Campus Study, and/or Capstone
Engaged learning is a pivotal component of the MPA Program’s educational approach, and practical experience is a mandatory element for earning the MPA degree. Students can fulfill this requirement through summer internships, Practicums, the MPA Capstone, and off-campus study opportunities, with many students opting for more than one of these options.
The majority of our students typically fulfill this requirement through a summer internship between their first and second year of study. Internships provide students with the chance to apply their training in a real-world setting and establish valuable contacts for future employment. The Brooks School Office of Enrollment and Student Services assists MPA students in securing internships aligned with their interests, skills, and career aspirations. A list of organizations that have offered internships in recent years is available on the MPA website.
The MPA Capstone is a distinctive service-learning initiative in collaboration with nonprofit and government agencies. Some of these agencies are located in the Ithaca/Tompkins County area, while others operate at the international, federal, and state levels. These agencies provide MPA students with actual projects to work on, allowing them to gain practical work experience alongside their MPA coursework. The Capstone is offered in domestic and international sections, and students can choose a section based on their academic and professional objectives. MPA students interested in participating in the Capstone must register for PUBPOL 5910 - Master of Public Administration (MPA) Capstone .
Another option for fulfilling the practical experience requirement is by undertaking a practicum. These opportunities combine classroom instruction with consulting or advisory engagements. Practicums offered through the MPA Program include those associated with our three Professional Certificate Programs: Environmental Finance and Impact Investing; Infrastructure Project Management and Finance; and Systems Thinking, Modeling, and Leadership. Additionally, practicums approved to fulfill the MPA Practical Experience Requirement are available through other colleges on campus, such as the Sustainable Global Enterprise (SGE) Immersion offered by the Johnson Graduate School of Management and the Student Multidisciplinary Applied Research Team (SMART) Program offered by the Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management.
MPA students also have the chance to gain professional experience off-campus while earning credit by participating in semester-long programs like the Washington, D.C. Externship Semester, New York City Externship Semester, and Cornell Capital Semester in Albany, NY. These programs entail substantial externship experiences that meet the MPA Practical Experience Requirement.
Professional Writing/Analytical Qualification
The MPA Program requires students to undertake a final project that demonstrates advanced analytical and expository skills, marking the culmination of their studies. This project serves dual purposes:
- Integration and Refinement: Provides a platform for integrating and refining acquired knowledge and skills with direct professional applicability.
- Professional Competence Demonstration: Produces tangible outputs that effectively showcase professional competence to potential employers.
To accommodate diverse career aspirations, the Cornell Brooks School offers three pathways for fulfilling this requirement:
- A capstone project
- A professional report
- A thesis
Each option allows students to showcase their analytical abilities and demonstrate their readiness for professional roles.
Capstone Project
The MPA Capstone is a semester-long course tailored for second-year MPA students. It provides an avenue for students to apply their accumulated knowledge and skills gained from coursework and internships by participating in intensive pro bono consulting projects for real-world clients from the public, private, and nonprofit sectors. Each semester, two Capstone courses are offered: one focusing on addressing public service initiatives or policies presented by U.S. clients, and the other addressing initiatives or policies posed by international clients.
In the Capstone project, MPA students collaborate in consulting teams to propose actionable and relevant solutions. This experience not only enhances their understanding of managing client projects but also sharpens their ability to conduct sophisticated policy analyses within the unique contexts of various political environments and organizations.
Professional Report
Many MPA students engage in internships during the summer between their first and second years or participate in an externship during the academic year. These experiences often necessitate a written deliverable upon completion. Students with specific professional and career goals may opt to delve deeper into their internship or externship experience by crafting a comprehensive and authoritative professional report for their client.
The process of developing a professional report involves supervision from a representative of the client organization as well as a faculty member from the Jeb E. Brooks School of Public Policy. MPA students who choose to undertake a professional report can register for an independent study or directed reading course during the fall or spring semester of their second year. To fulfill the professional writing requirement, the student’s report must receive approval from both the client organization and the faculty supervisor.
Thesis
The thesis option is specifically designed for MPA students who plan to pursue a Ph.D. after completing their MPA degree and have a focused topical interest within the broader realm of public affairs that lends itself well to in-depth research. Thesis research is overseen by a faculty member from the Jeb E. Brooks School of Public Policy.
Students opting for the thesis track can enroll in a semester of directed reading or independent study under the guidance of their thesis advisor. Approval for this option must be obtained from the MPA Director during the first semester of the student’s second year. To meet the professional writing requirement, the student’s thesis must be approved by both the faculty supervisor and the MPA Program Director.
Co-Curricular Activities
MPA students at the Cornell Brooks School actively engage in co-curricular activities aimed at enhancing their practical skills, fostering professional development, and expanding their network within the field of public affairs. These student-led initiatives include:
- Cornell Public Affairs Society (CPAS): CPAS serves as the student government of the MPA Program, focusing on providing MPA students with access to opportunities and experiences that bolster their professional, interpersonal, and leadership skills. The goal is to prepare students for successful careers in public affairs.
- The Cornell Policy Review (CPR): CPR is an academic public policy journal edited by Brooks School students. MPA students play dual roles as editors and contributors, and the editorial board actively seeks contributions such as book reviews, interviews, and scholarly articles from members of the Cornell community, alumni, and external stakeholders.
- Women in Public Policy (WIPP): WIPP is dedicated to advancing the understanding of women’s current roles in public affairs and policy, both domestically and internationally. WIPP provides a platform for discussions, networking opportunities, and initiatives aimed at promoting gender equality and empowerment within the field.
Course Substitutions
The MPA Program allows for some course substitutions under specific circumstances, such as when a student has already mastered a subject. For instance, a student with a bachelor’s degree in economics may not need to retake the intermediate microeconomics course but can instead opt for more advanced graduate coursework in economics.
Students are encouraged to discuss potential course substitutions with their faculty mentors and the MPA Student Advising Coordinator. They can propose alternative ways to fulfill the curriculum’s objectives and enhance their degree program. After developing a plan, students can petition the MPA Program for approval. Further details and guidelines regarding course substitutions can be found on the MPA Program website.
Complementary and Dual-Degree Programs
MPA students interested in broadening their education with interdisciplinary and intersectoral training can explore several complementary or dual-degree programs affiliated with the MPA Program. Each program requires a separate application, and acceptance into one program does not guarantee acceptance into another.
Complementary Degree Programs:
These programs enable students to earn an additional degree alongside their MPA degree by applying up to twelve credits across both programs. The available complementary degree programs include:
- Master of Business Administration (MBA)
- Master of Industrial and Labor Relations Program (MILR)
- Master of Public Health Program (MPH)
- Juris Doctor Program (JD)
Dual MHA/MPA Degree Program:
In collaboration with the Sloan Master of Health Administration Program, this program allows students to earn both the Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree and the Master of Health Administration (MHA) degree within five semesters.
Applicants interested in these complementary or dual-degree programs must go through the application process for each program individually.
Admission
Admission to the MPA Program at the Cornell Brooks School is aimed at fostering academic and professional diversity, welcoming applicants from various disciplines. While there’s no specific undergraduate major required, individuals with prior experience in policy-making or implementation are encouraged to apply. The admission process is selective and involves evaluation by a faculty committee based on the following criteria:
- Overall academic record
- Potential for public-policy leadership demonstrated through professional work, community involvement, extracurricular activities, or other relevant experiences
- Three letters of recommendation
- Current résumé highlighting relevant experience
- A written statement of purpose, including:
- Reasons for applying to the program
- Personal and/or professional experiences motivating interest in the Cornell Brooks School MPA Program
- Future goals and how an MPA education would be utilized
- Examples of volunteer work, leadership roles, and life experiences contributing to interest in public affairs
- A public affairs essay, covering:
- Description of an area within public affairs where the applicant wishes to contribute
- Vision for accomplishments in that area
- Strategies for initiating, supporting, and sustaining changes to improve public well-being and services
- An online video interview
Applicants for whom English is a second language must meet minimum scores on the TOEFL or IELTS exams. The required minimum scores for the TOEFL exam are: writing 20, listening 15, reading 20, and speaking 22, with an overall combined score of at least 100. For the IELTS exam, minimum requirements are 7.0 in each section and an overall score of at least 7.5.
For further information, prospective applicants can contact the MPA Program Admissions Team at [email protected].
Financial Aid
Various funding opportunities are available to support students in financing their education. It is recommended that applicants thoroughly explore all available resources when planning for their MPA Program education. Possible funding opportunities include:
- Merit-based fellowships
- Part-time campus employment
- Federal loans
- MPA Program-supported fellowships
- External fellowship programs (i.e., Fulbright, Rangel, Payne, Pickering, Truman, World Bank)
- Grants from current employers
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