Explore North Carolina Central University’s 42-credit Master of Public Administration curriculum, Traditional M.P.A. concentrations, and Executive M.P.A. pathway, along with the accelerated bachelor’s-to-master’s (ABM) option in Political Science and dual degrees in law (J.D./M.P.A.) and information science (M.P.A./M.I.S.). Prospective students can compare pathways that fit their public-service goals, while current students can use this overview to guide degree planning with their academic advisor.
M.P.A. Curriculum and Degree Pathways
Build an M.P.A. Pathway Around Your Public Service Goals
The North Carolina Central University Master of Public Administration is a 42-credit, 14-course professional graduate degree designed to prepare students for leadership and management in government, nonprofit organizations, and other public-serving institutions. Students develop a common foundation in public management, policy analysis, budgeting and finance, organizational leadership, research and analytical methods, ethics, and professional practice.
NCCU offers multiple ways to complete the M.P.A. Students in the Traditional M.P.A. have flexibility to pursue elective concentrations and tailor their studies to their professional interests. Students in the Executive M.P.A. complete a structured cohort curriculum designed for experienced working professionals. NCCU students may also pursue accelerated or dual-degree pathways that combine the M.P.A. with undergraduate study in Political Science, the Juris Doctor, or the Master of Information Science.
Explore Your Degree Pathway
| If you are… | Consider… |
|---|---|
| Seeking a flexible professional M.P.A. with elective specialization | Traditional M.P.A. |
| An experienced professional seeking an accelerated cohort experience | Executive M.P.A. |
| An NCCU Political Science undergraduate who wants to begin the M.P.A. early | Political Science–M.P.A. ABM |
| Interested in combining public administration and legal education | J.D./M.P.A. |
| Interested in government, management, technology and information systems | M.P.A./M.I.S. |
M.P.A. Curriculum
The M.P.A. curriculum combines a common professional foundation with opportunities for specialization and applied learning. Across the curriculum, students develop the knowledge and skills necessary to analyze public problems, manage organizations and resources, communicate effectively, exercise ethical leadership, and connect theory with professional practice. Nine core courses and a capstone make up the core curriculum in the following core areas of study
Info Accordions
Public Management and Organizations
Study how public and nonprofit organizations operate, how managers work within complex institutional environments, and how organizations can improve effectiveness and responsiveness.
Public Policy and Analysis
Develop the ability to understand policy processes, assess alternatives, analyze programs, and use evidence to inform public decisions.
Public Finance and Budgeting
Build an understanding of public budgeting, financial management, resource allocation, and the economic consequences of public policy.
Human Resources and Workforce Management
Examine personnel systems, workforce development, employee management, and the responsibilities of public organizations as employers.
Research and Quantitative Analysis
Learn to design research, analyze quantitative and qualitative evidence, evaluate programs, and communicate findings to professional audiences.
Leadership, Ethics and Public Accountability
Examine leadership and decision-making in public-service settings, with particular attention to professional ethics, accountability, and responsibilities to the public.
Applied Professional Practice
Connect academic study with professional experience through internships or qualifying professional practice, capstone work, professional development, and the M.P.A. student learning portfolio.
Degree Structure at a Glance
- 42 credit hours, 14 courses
The exact sequence of courses varies by M.P.A. pathway and student plan of study. Traditional students work with their faculty advisor to select electives and, when appropriate, complete a concentration. Executive M.P.A. students follow the curriculum and course sequence established for their cohort.
Concentrations and Electives
Traditional M.P.A. students may use their elective coursework to develop additional expertise in a particular area of public administration. Concentrations allow students to connect the broad professional foundation of the M.P.A. with specific career interests and policy fields.
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Law and Society
Explore the relationship between public administration, law, institutions, regulation, and governance. This concentration is particularly relevant for students interested in public-sector leadership, regulatory environments, justice, policy implementation, or further study in law.
Human Resources
Develop specialized knowledge in public-sector personnel management, workforce development, compensation, employee relations, and organizational human-resource strategy. The concentration is well suited for students pursuing HR and management roles across government and nonprofit organizations.
Nonprofit Management
Build skills for leadership in nonprofit and mission-driven organizations, including nonprofit management, strategic planning, financial management, and social entrepreneurship.
Public Health Policy
Examine the intersection of public administration, policy, health systems, and community well-being. Students develop skills relevant to public-health agencies, healthcare organizations, nonprofits, government, and organizations addressing the social determinants of health.
Urban and Regional Planning
Focus on the management and policy challenges facing cities, counties, regions, and communities, including planning, development, transportation, local governance, and urban and regional policy.
NCCU currently identifies these five areas as the Traditional M.P.A.'s available specializations.
For current students: Concentration requirements and course availability should be reviewed with your faculty advisor when developing your plan of study. Not every elective is offered every semester.
Accelerated Bachelor's-to-Master's Pathway
Info Accordions
NCCU's Accelerated Bachelor's-to-Master's (ABM) pathway in Political Science and Public Administration gives qualified Political Science students an opportunity to begin graduate study in Public Administration while completing their bachelor's degree.
Students may apply up to 12 graduate credit hours toward both the undergraduate and graduate degrees, reducing the time and overall cost required to earn an NCCU B.A. and M.P.A. The pathway is designed for students who know early in their undergraduate careers that they are interested in public service, public policy, nonprofit leadership, government, or related professional fields.
Benefits of the ABM
Save time.
Begin graduate coursework before completing the bachelor's degree and make progress toward the M.P.A. while still an undergraduate.
Save money.
Up to 12 graduate credits may apply toward both degrees, reducing the total coursework needed to complete the two degrees.
Build professional expertise earlier.
Move from undergraduate study in politics, government, and public policy into graduate-level training in management, budgeting, policy analysis, research, leadership, and public service.
Planning for the ABM
Because the accelerated pathway requires careful coordination of undergraduate and graduate requirements, interested students should begin planning with advisors in Political Science and Public Administration well before their senior year.
Dual-Degree Opportunities
Students whose professional goals cross disciplinary boundaries may combine the M.P.A. with another NCCU professional graduate degree. Dual-degree programs allow approved coursework to contribute toward the requirements of both programs, reducing duplication compared with completing the degrees entirely separately.
Juris Doctor / Master of Public Administration
The J.D./M.P.A. dual degree combines legal education at the NCCU School of Law with professional graduate education in public administration.
The program is particularly appropriate for students interested in the intersection of law, public policy, government, regulation, public management, advocacy, or nonprofit leadership. It allows participating NCCU Law Day Program students to complete the J.D. and M.P.A. in less time than normally required to earn the two degrees independently.
Students must be admitted separately to the NCCU School of Law and the Master of Public Administration program; admission to one does not guarantee admission to the other.
Master of Public Administration / Master of Information Science
The M.P.A./M.I.S. dual degree integrates professional education in public administration with advanced study in information science.
The combination is especially valuable for careers involving digital government, information policy, data and technology management, public-sector information systems, organizational leadership, and the management of information-intensive public and nonprofit organizations.
Students apply to and must meet the requirements of both the Department of Public Administration and the School of Library and Information Sciences. Students receive advising from both academic units while completing an integrated program of study.
Advising and Degree Planning
For Prospective Students
Not sure which pathway best fits your goals? The Department of Public Administration can help you compare program formats, concentrations, accelerated study, and dual-degree options before you apply.
For Current Students
Your individual plan of study depends on your program pathway, previous coursework, concentration or dual-degree status, and course availability. Current students should work with their assigned academic advisor before registering for courses or making changes to their degree plan.
Traditional M.P.A. advising is organized through the department's faculty advising system, while Executive M.P.A. students receive program-specific guidance through Executive Programs.