Degree Options

The Suffolk MPA offers numerous degree paths to help you achieve your career goals.
With a strong curriculum rooted in theory and practice, seven certificates, four concentrations to choose from, and four dual degree options, the Suffolk MPA will equip you to reach your potential.

Core Curriculum

 

Certificates

 

Core Curriculum

Required MPA Courses: 8 courses (24 credits)

Foundation in Public Service Courses

PAD 711               Foundations of Public Service & Administration

PAD 712               Information Based Management

PAD 715               Quantitative Analysis (PAD 712 is the prerequisite for this course)

Managing Public Service Organizations Courses

PAD 713               Managing Financial Resources

PAD 716               Public Service Human Resource Management

PAD 717               Organizational Change

PAD 718               Leadership Strategies for an Interconnected World

Capstone Course

PAD 890               Strategic Management

MPA Elective Courses: 6 courses (18 credits)

Students with no professional public service management experience are required to take PAD 859 (Internship). This 3-credit course will count as one of your six electives.

Students may take up to two (2) elective courses in another Suffolk University graduate degree program with prior permission from their academic advisor.

Concentrations

 

Community Health Concentration

Master of Public Administration Concentrations

Students choosing to graduate in one of the three concentrations below must complete the 8 core MPA courses and the MPA capstone to earn their MPA degree. Students will use 12 of their elective course offerings to meet the concentration requirements.

Please send an e-mail to mpa@suffolk.edu if you would like to declare a concentration.

Community Health

This concentration focuses on preparing nonprofit and public service managers for positions in community healthcare, community advocacy organizations, and government health agencies to manage and lead in a dynamic and changing healthcare environment.

Required Course:

HLTH 701 Introduction to the U.S. Healthcare System

Choose 9 credits1 worth of courses from the list below:

HLTH 702: Health Economics

HLTH 808: Managing Healthcare Organizations

HLTH 824: Healthcare Accounting

HLTH 825: Legal Environment of Healthcare

HLTH 826: Healthcare Financial Management

HLTH 830: Healthcare Operations Management

HLTH 831: Healthcare Performance Improvement & Patient Safety

HLTH 832: Health Policy

HLTH 842: Global Health

HLTH 841: Global Health Policy

HLTH 838: Organizational Change in Healthcare

HLTH 850: Health Information Systems

HLTH 838: Organizational Change in Healthcare

HLTH 827: Advanced Healthcare Financial Management

HLTH 836: Advanced Health Marketing and Communication

HLTH 807: Innovation, The Future of Healthcare

PAD 815: Nonprofit Management PAD 847: Nonprofit Financial Management

PAD 819: Grant Writing & Management

1 Many of the Healthcare electives are 1.5 credits per course. You must complete 9 credits of electives from this list to graduate with a concentration in Community Health.

 

State & Local Government Concentration

Master of Public Administration Concentrations

Students choosing to graduate in one of the three concentrations below must complete the 8 core MPA courses and the MPA capstone to earn their MPA degree. Students will use 12 of their elective course offerings to meet the concentration requirements.

Please send an e-mail to mpa@suffolk.edu if you would like to declare a concentration.

 

State & Local Government

This concentration prepares state and local government managers and officials to function as effective leaders able to respond to the changing climates of government.

Required Course:

PAD 817: Administrative Strategies of State & Local Government

Choose three (3) courses from the list below (9 credits)

PAD 810: Public Sector Administrative Law

PAD 814: Collaborative Public Management

PAD 818: Public Sector Labor/Management Relations

PAD 819: Grant Writing & Management PAD 822: Public Management Information Systems

PAD 827: Financing State & Local Government

PAD 828: Public Service Communication

PAD 831: Civic Innovation & Citizen Engagement

PAD 838: Ethics in Public Service

PAD 839: Leadership & Decision Making in Action

PAD 842 Workplace & Labor Law

 

Nonprofit Management Concentration

Master of Public Administration Concentrations

Students choosing to graduate in one of the three concentrations below must complete the 8 core MPA courses and the MPA capstone to earn their MPA degree. Students will use 12 of their elective course offerings to meet the concentration requirements.

Please send an e-mail to mpa@suffolk.edu if you would like to declare a concentration.

 

Nonprofit Management

This concentration covers the field of public service with special attention given to the additional intricacies of nonprofit management.

Required Courses:

PAD 815: Nonprofit Management

PAD 847: Nonprofit Financial Management

PAD 848: Nonprofit Law & Ethics

PAD 849: Revenue Strategies for Nonprofits

 

Information Systems, Performance Management, and Data Analytics Concentration

Master of Public Administration Concentrations

Students choosing to graduate in one of the three concentrations below must complete the 8 core MPA courses and the MPA capstone to earn their MPA degree. Students will use 12 of their elective course offerings to meet the concentration requirements.

Please send an e-mail to mpa@suffolk.edu if you would like to declare a concentration.

 

Information Systems, Performance Management, and Data Analytics

This concentration focuses on how public sector and non-profit organizations are moving toward new management and performance systems. This concentration will focus on how to apply these various methods of performance management.

Required Courses:

ISOM 801: Solving Business Problems with Excel

ISOM 845: Business Intelligence and Data Analytics

PAD 816: From Data to Policy (will become P.AD 861 in Spring 2019)

PAD 822: Public Management Information Systems Management

Dual Degrees

 

MPA/MS in Political Science

MPA/MS in Political Science

Students in one of the three dual-degree programs with the College of Arts and Sciences need to be especially careful not to take courses that are not required for their degree program (for example: PAD 715 is not required for an MPA/MSCJS). Students also need make sure not to take too few PAD electives. Each dual-degree program offers a specific number of electives that students must take in EACH program, these are not interchangeable. Students should meet with their faculty advisor in both programs when registering for courses.

Students in a dual-degree program must complete 30 credit hours in the Suffolk University Institute for Public Service. This means you may not waive or transfer credits that would reduce your program below 30 credit hours.

MPA/MS Political Science: 18 courses (54 credit hours)

MPA Requirements: 10 courses (30 credit hours)

PAD 711: Foundations of Public Service& Administration

PAD 713: Managing Financial Resources

PAD 715: Quantitative Analysis1

PAD 716: Public Service Human Resource Management

PAD 717: Organizational Change

PAD 718: Leadership Strategies in an Interconnected World

PAD 810: Public Sector Administrative Law

PAD 890: Strategic Management

Two (2) PAD Electives (6 credits)

Students must take GVT 777 prior to PAD 715

Students with no professional experience must take P.AD-859 (Internship) as an elective. Students who take GVT-723 do not need to take P.AD-859  and  can  take  an  additional  MPA elective.

MSPS Requirements: 8 courses (24 credits)

Professional Politics Track:

GVT 723: Graduate Internship

GVT 747: Seminar in Legislation & Lobbying

GVT 755 Seminar in Campaigns & Elections

GVT 765: Global Public Policy

GVT 777: Writing for Policy Professionals

Choose any three (3) Government Electives

International Relations Track:

GVT 723: Graduate Internship

GVT 761: Seminar: International Relations Theory

GVT 763: International Political Economy

GVT 765: Global Public Policy

GVT 777: Writing for Policy Professionals

Choose any three (3) Government Electives

MPA/Juris Doctorate

MPA/Juris Doctorate

The MPA/JD is designed for students interested in integrating professional education in law with public administration. Students have a choice of two curriculum tracks to follow and should contact the Institute for Public Service (mpa@suffolk.edu) for assistance selecting the right track to fit their schedule. Full-time students may register for a maximum of 15 combined credits per semester.

Admission Requirements

Students applying to this program must meet the admission requirements for both the MPA and the JD programs.

Curriculum Requirements

The requirements for the MPA/JD program are determined by the respective schools. The MPA/JD degree will be granted upon completion of 110-credit semester hours of work: 80-credit hours are completed in the Law School and a minimum of 30-credit hours are completed in the Sawyer Business School’s MPA curriculum.

All summer credits applied to the final semester of the dual degree program have been determined based on the semester credits of each individual program so as not to permit students to enroll in fewer than two credits in the final semester.

All dual degree candidates are subject to II (G) of the Rules and Regulations limiting credit for ungraded activities to two credits per semester. Any student who is not in good academic standing is disqualified from the dual degree programs. Law School Regulation VII (E) states that a dual degree candidate, who is academically deficient (as defined in the Law School regulations) within the Law School curriculum, shall be disqualified from the joint degree program.

 

Programs of Study

Specific programs and course selections are arranged through each respective School. Curricula requirements are arranged by year according to the following schedule.

Please contact your Law School faculty advisor for information on Law School program of study.

 

MPA Curriculum (For Full-Time Students)

Students may follow one of two academic tracks, either completing their MPA requirements or their JD requirements first. Below are the MPA requirements for this program. Please contact the Suffolk Law School for more information on the required Law courses.

Fall Semester (15 Credits)

PAD 711:              Foundations of Public Service & Administration

PAD 712:              Information Based Management

PAD 713:              Managing Financial Resources

PAD 716:              Public Service Human Resource Management

PAD 717:              Organizational Change

 

Spring Semester (15 credits)

PAD 715:              Quantitative Analysis

PAD 718:              Leadership Strategies in an Interconnected World

PAD 890:              Strategic Management

Two (2) PAD Electives (6 credits)

MPA/MS in Criminal Justice

MPA/MS Criminal Justice

Students in one of the three dual-degree programs with the College of Arts and Sciences need to be especially careful not to take courses that are not required for their degree program (for example: PAD 715 is not required for an MPA/MSCJS). Students also need make sure not to take too few PAD electives. Each dual-degree program offers a specific number of electives that students must take in EACH program, these are not interchangeable. Students should meet with their faculty advisor in both programs when registering for courses.

Students in a dual-degree program must complete 30 credit hours in the Suffolk University Institute for Public Service. This means you may not waive or transfer credits that would reduce your program below 30 credit hours.

MPA/MS Crime &  Justice Studies: 18 courses (54 credit hours)

MPA Requirements: 10 courses (30 credit hours)

PAD 711: Foundations of Public Service & Administration

PAD 713: Managing Financial Resources

PAD 716: Public Service Human Resource Management

PAD 717: Organizational Change PAD 718: Leadership Strategies for an Interconnected World

PAD 890: Strategic Management

Four (4) PAD Electives (12 credits)

Students with no professional experience must take P.AD-859 (Internship) as an elective. Students who take CJ 786 or CJ 787 do not need to take P.AD-859 and can take an additional MPA elective.

MSCJS Requirements: 8 courses (24 credits)

CJ 681: Crime & Communities

CJ 701: Seminar in Crime & Justice

CJ 702: Research Methods

CJ 709: Quantitative Analysis

Four (4) CJS Electives (12 credits) Refer to http://www.suffolk.edu/catalogs/graduatefor a complete list of CJS Electives.

MPA/MS in Mental Health Counseling

MPA/MS MHC

Students in one of the three dual-degree programs with the College of Arts and Sciences need to be especially careful not to take courses that are not required for their degree program (for example: PAD 715 is not required for an MPA/MSCJS). Students also need make sure not to take too few PAD electives. Each dual-degree program offers a specific number of electives that students must take in EACH program, these are not interchangeable. Students should meet with their faculty advisor in both programs when registering for courses.

Students in a dual-degree program must complete 30 credit hours in the Suffolk University Institute for Public Service. This means you may not waive or transfer credits that would reduce your program below 30 credit hours.

MPA/MS Mental Health Counseling: 20 courses (60 credits)

MPA Requirements: 10 courses (30 credit hours)

PAD 711: Foundations of Public Service & Administration

PAD 712: Information Based Management

PAD 713: Managing Financial Resources

PAD 715: Quantitative Analysis PAD 716: Public Service Human Resources Management

PAD 717: Organizational Change PAD 718: Leadership Strategies for an Interconnected World

PAD 890: Strategic Management

Two (2) PAD Electives (6 credits)

Students with no professional experience must take P.AD-859 (Internship) as an elective. Students who take COUNS 738 or COUNS 739 do not need to take P.AD-859 and can take an additional MPA elective.

MSMHC Requirements

18 courses (60 credits)

COUNS 712: Life Span Development

COUNS 713: Counseling: Theory& Practice

COUNS 715: Methods of Research

COUNS 716: Psychological Diagnosis

COUNS 717: Introduction to Psychological Testing

COUNS 727: Substance Abuse

COUNS 728: Ethical/Legal Obligations

COUNS 729: Human Sexuality Seminar

COUNS 733: Counseling Diverse Populations

COUNS 735: Group Counseling

COUNS 737: Counseling Skills Lab

COUNS 738: Mental Health Counseling Practicum I

COUNS 739: Mental Health Counseling Practicum II

COUNS 740/741: Counseling Internship

Three (3) Counseling Electives (12 credits)

Refer to http://www.suffolk.edu/catalogs/graduate for a complete list of electives

Public Safety Leadership and Management Certificate

The Moakley Center, in collaboration with community partners, provides affordable advanced educational opportunities for Massachusetts’ public service managers. Solid reputation and increasing demand in the community have expanded the Moakley Center’s certificate program offerings dramatically since their inception in 1999. 

Partner: Various Law Enforcement Agencies

For more information on certificate program application and requirements, click here

Home Care Management Certificate

The Moakley Center, in collaboration with community partners, provides affordable advanced educational opportunities for Massachusetts’ public service managers. Solid reputation and increasing demand in the community have expanded the Moakley Center’s certificate program offerings dramatically since their inception in 1999. 

Partner: Home Care Alliance of Massachusetts (HCAM)

For more information on certificate program application and requirements, click here

Leadership & Education in Neurological Disorders (LEND) Certificate

The Moakley Center, in collaboration with community partners, provides affordable advanced educational opportunities for Massachusetts’ public service managers. Solid reputation and increasing demand in the community have expanded the Moakley Center’s certificate program offerings dramatically since their inception in 1999. 

Partner: Eunice Shriver Center

For more information on certificate program application and requirements, click here

Local Government Leadership and Management Certificate

The Moakley Center, in collaboration with community partners, provides affordable advanced educational opportunities for Massachusetts’ public service managers. Solid reputation and increasing demand in the community have expanded the Moakley Center’s certificate program offerings dramatically since their inception in 1999. 

Partner: Massachusetts Municipal Association

For more information on certificate program application and requirements, click here

Community Health and Community Health Center Management Certificate

The Moakley Center, in collaboration with community partners, provides affordable advanced educational opportunities for Massachusetts’ public service managers. Solid reputation and increasing demand in the community have expanded the Moakley Center’s certificate program offerings dramatically since their inception in 1999. 

Partner: Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers; Massachusetts Providers’ Council

For more information on certificate program application and requirements, click here

Human Service and Leadership Management Certificate

The Moakley Center, in collaboration with community partners, provides affordable advanced educational opportunities for Massachusetts’ public service managers. Solid reputation and increasing demand in the community have expanded the Moakley Center’s certificate program offerings dramatically since their inception in 1999. 

Partner: Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS)

For more information on certificate program application and requirements, click here

Strategic Performance Management Certificate

Operated by the National Center for Public Performance (NCPP), the Strategic Performance Management Certificate is a professional development certificate designed for individuals in public and nonprofit organizations, and citizens interested in the functions of public sector performance measurement. Fall 2018 dates coming soon. To be notified when registration opens, email Mallory Sullivan. 

For more information on certificate program application and requirements, click here