Degree and Course Planning | Portland State University

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Degree Requirements

Master of Public Administration

Master of Public Administration: Health Administration

As of 2023, we are no longer accepting applications for the MPA:HA.

Master of Nonprofit Leadership

MPA Specializations

The Master's of Public Administration program offers four specific fields of specialization: Global Leadership and Management, Local Government, Natural Resources Policy and Administration, and Nonprofit Management. Students can declare an intended field of specialization upon admission to the program and enroll in 5 courses (15 credits) to create the field.

Specialization details

Diversity Requirement

At some point within their program of study MPA and MPA:HA students must satisfactorily complete one course the primary focus of which is diversity. This does not require additional credit hours or coursework beyond the 60 credit requirement and can include courses taken as skill development or specialization classes. Course options include, but are not limited to, the following:

PA 514 Global Leadership and Management
PA 523 Nongovernmental Organizations: Nonprofits on the World Stage
PA 529 Nonprofit Field Study in Oaxaca, Mexico
PA 544 International Experience (e.g. Cuba, Vietnam, Japan)
PA 547 Culture, Values and Leadership
PA 549 Cross-cultural Communications in the Public Sector
PA 593 Civil Rights for Public Managers
PA 594 Enhancing Diversity in the Workplace

Other courses may be approved by your advisor.

Organizational Experience (PA 509)

Your program of study will culminate in a community-based capstone project we refer to as an Organizational Experience (PA 509). This is an opportunity for you to solidify what you’ve learned throughout the program with a hands-on project aimed at helping a nonprofit or grassroots organization build its capacity.

PA 509 Details

Course Planning Guide

Students are assigned an advisor upon admission to the program. Remember to meet with your assigned advisor regularly to plan and update your program of study. Use the Department's Course Planning Guide to see what courses are being offered. Reach out to the Department if you have any questions.

Course Planning Guide

Additional resources

PA Student Handbook 2022-2023 (MPA/MPA:HA/MNL)

Commonly Requested Forms

Applying for Graduation

Submit your application to graduate through myPSU

For help please reach out to the Graduate School

Students must apply for graduation by the first Friday of the anticipated term of graduation.

See application deadlines

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Students must apply for graduation by the first Friday of the anticipated term of graduation; see the Graduate Candidates Deadlines for specific dates. The application for graduation is now submitted through myPSU (click 'Graduation Application' in the Academic Planning section). For more information, please refer to the Graduate School website.

You may want to run a DARS report to confirm that you have completed all requirements toward graduation. If the report notes that you haven't yet met a requirement that doesn't apply to you (such as taking PA 585 if you are an MPA Nonprofit Management student), don't panic. The PA Department will have a chance to verify that you have, in fact, completed all requirements toward your degree. If you have any questions, please contact your advisor.

After all of your graduation paperwork has been processed, you will receive a confirmation email from the registration office notifying you that your degree has been awarded. This is typically several weeks after the term in which you have graduated. All diplomas will be mailed to the address provided on the degree application unless you have an outstanding student account balance or have not completed the Perkins Loan exit interview (if applicable). For additional questions, please contact the Office of the Registrar.