PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION INSTITUTE FAQs

Whom do I contact about the MPA program?
Contact the Public Administration Institute at 225-578-6743 or via email at pai@lsu.edu. Dr. Richardson, the Director of the Public Administration Institute, will discuss the MPA program with all interested students.

What is the MPA program?
The MPA program is a professional program for students interested in public management/public policy issues. Students take courses in public management, budgeting and finance, human resource policy, program evaluation, economics, statistics, and other management-related courses.

Are full-time and part-time students enrolled in the MPA program?
Yes, both full-time and part-time students are enrolled in the MPA program. Core courses are offered in the evening to accommodate part-time students.

What are the admission requirements to be admitted to the MPA program?
Applicants to the MPA program are evaluated on undergraduate academic performance, GRE scores, letters of recommendation, work experience, activities indicating an interest in public management/public policy, and other experiences that may indicate the ability to complete a professional program. Each student is evaluated individually. The student’s entire portfolio is examined.

How many courses are included in the MPA program?
Students must complete 42 credit hours of coursework. Of these 42 credit hours, 33 hours are core courses and 9 hours are in an area of specialization.

What are the core courses?
The core courses are as follows:

All students take the core courses. These courses are defined under Course Definitions.

What is an area of specialization?
All students will declare an area of specialization, an area of study that allows the student to focus on an issue such as environmental management, specific organizations such as healthcare organizations, a special topic such as housing and public policy, or a professional discipline such as internal auditing or higher education administration. The student will take 12 credit hours in this area of specialization. The courses do not have to be in the same academic department. The courses are selected in consultation with a faculty member in the area of specialization and with the approval of the Director of the Public Administration Institute.

What are specific areas of specialization available at LSU?
MPA students have selected areas of specialization in Healthcare Management, State and Local Administration, Budgeting and Finance, Public Policy, Economic Analysis, Human Resources, Information Technology, Higher Education Administration, Environmental Management, Disaster Management, Internal Auditing, and Mass Communications. Students are allowed to create an area of specialization that is related to public administration and in which opportunities at LSU are available. The MPA program allows the student to take full advantage of the breadth and depth of LSU in determining an area of specialization.

How long does it take a student to complete the MPA program?
Full-time students will complete the program within two academic years. Part-time students will complete the program within 3 to 3.5 calendar years. Students will know what core courses are offered in each semester for the next three to four years.

Where do the MPA Graduates get jobs?
MPA graduates get jobs with federal, state, and local governments; with non-profit organizations; with private research and consulting companies; and with private companies that deal with government agencies. Over the past years the LSU Public Administration Institute has assisted graduates in getting jobs with the Louisiana Legislature, the Legislative Fiscal Office, the Louisiana Division of Administration, the Legislative Auditor’s Office, the Board of Regents, and a variety of state agencies and organizations. MPA graduates have also qualified for the Presidential Management Fellowship program. This is a federal program that offers MPA graduates an entry to the federal government. MPA students are also working with private consulting firms, research organizations, trade associations, and governmental relations groups.

Where do I mail my letters of recommendation?
Note that there are three (3) required letters of recommendation. Please mail the required letters of recommendation to:

Dr. James A. Richardson
Public Administration Institute
LSU E. J. Ourso College of Business
3200 Patrick F. Taylor Hall
Baton Rouge, LA 70803