The MPA will provide graduate training in academic, research and service to prepare students for leadership positions in public service, both in the non-profit and public sectors. The graduate curriculum consists of a 36 semester credit-hour requirement including a core of courses required by all students and a specialty concentration. The core consists of 18 semester credit-hours designed to train students to lead agencies in areas of budgetary development and management; data collection and analysis; personnel training; and policy development and implementation. All students are required to complete a six credit-hour practicum in their specialty area and to submit a portfolio for review at the end of the practicum.