Political Science Graduate Programs — Graduate Certificate, MPA, PhD
Degree Program:
Graduate Certificates:
- Economic Development
- Election Administration
- Global Public Service
- NonProfit Organizations and Community Governance
The Department of Political Science offers the Master of Public Administration (MPA), and the PhD in Public Administration and Public Policy is offered jointly by the Auburn University Department of Political Science and the Auburn University at Montgomery Department of Political Science and Public Administration. Graduates from the MPA program are employed as managers, planners, and directors in city, state, and local government agencies and federal government programs; they also serve as program officers, development directors, executive directors, and senior administrators in local and national nonprofit organizations. The Department of Political Science also offers four graduate certificates: Graduate Certificate in Economic Development, Graduate Certificate in Election Administration, Graduate Certificate in Global Public Service, and Graduate Certificate in Non-Profit Organizations and Community Governance.
- For more information about the MPA program, see http://www.cla.auburn.edu/polisci/graduate-programs/mpa/.
- For more information about the PhD program, see http://www.cla.auburn.edu/polisci/graduate-programs/phd-in-public-administration-and-public-policy/.
Master of Public Administration
The Department of Political Science offers the MPA. It is a professional degree program for leadership in public service at all levels of government as well as in nonprofit organizations. The program is accredited by the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA). Highly qualified students may pursue concurrently the Master of Community Planning.
Application Process
Applicants for the MPA must have a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent from an accredited college or university. The admissions committee will evaluate the undergraduate transcripts, personal statement, letters of recommendation, a writing sample, and any public sector experience in government agencies or nonprofit organizations. The program is not limited to political science majors, but successful applicants who have little background in public sector institutions and processes may be required to take additional courses.
Applicants should ensure these materials are sent to the Graduate School web application:
- Official transcripts from every institution attended
- Personal statement of purpose in pursuing the MPA degree
- Three letters of professional or academic recommendation
- Writing sample
- Statement of merit or need (if applying for a graduate assistantship)
- Other information listed in the application
Web applications are located at: http://graduate.auburn.edu/prospective-students/application-instructions/
Degree Requirements
Once they are admitted, the program requires 36 semester hours (pre-service students) or 33 semester hours (in-service students) and an ePortfolio. Six core courses for a total of 18 hours credit are required of all pre-service students. The required 18 hours include 3 credit hours of an administrative internship in a governmental agency or nonprofit organization. Five core courses for a total of 15 hours credit are required of all in-service students. In-service students are not required to complete the internship. All students take an additional 18 hours of electives either through one of the graduate certificates offered by the MPA program or an approved concentration in a related administrative field or policy area.
Details about the requirements are provided below.
Pre-Service Students (Track 1)
Core Courses (18 credit Hours)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| POLI 6150 | Intergovernmental Relations | 3 |
| POLI 7000 | Research Methods | 3 |
| POLI 7350 | Foundations of Public Admin | 3 |
| POLI 7360 | Foundations of Policy | 3 |
| POLI 7520 | Program Evaluation | 3 |
| POLI 7920 | MPA Internship | 3 |
| POLI 7AA0 | MPA EPORTFOLIO | 0 |
| MPA Electives | 18 | |
| Total Hours | 36 | |
In-Service Students (Track 2)
Core Courses (15 credit Hours)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| POLI 6150 | Intergovernmental Relations | 3 |
| POLI 7000 | Research Methods | 3 |
| POLI 7350 | Foundations of Public Admin | 3 |
| POLI 7360 | Foundations of Policy | 3 |
| POLI 7520 | Program Evaluation | 3 |
| POLI 7AA0 | MPA EPORTFOLIO | 0 |
| MPA Electives | 18 | |
| Total Hours | 33 | |
Practical Experience through Internship (3 hours)
The program requires a total of 3 credit hours of internship (POLI 7920 Internship) for pre-service students. In-service with extensive direct experience with government agencies or nonprofit organizations are not required to complete the internship.
Electives (18 hours)
The MPA requires 18 credits of electives. This requirement may be fulfilled in any one of the three following ways:
- By completing one of the following four formal specializations: Graduate Certificate in Economic Development, Graduate Certificate in Election Administration, Graduate Certificate in Global Public Service, Graduate Certificate in Non-Profit Organizations and Community Governance
- By completing the Dual MPA-MCP Degree with Community Planning
- By taking 18 credits of classes approved by the MPA director that support the generalist public administration curriculum
ePortfolio
Successful completion of the degree includes the preparation of the MPA ePortfolio. The MPA ePortfolio demonstrates mastery of the competencies established by the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA).
The MPA Portfolio reviews are scheduled in the final semester of course work. Students who do not pass the MPA Portfolio review have one additional opportunity to present their material to MPA faculty in the following fall or spring semester.
PhD in Public Administration and Public Policy
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| PhD in Public Administration and Public Policy | ||
| POLI 8000 | Doctoral Seminar in Public Administration | 3 |
| POLI 8010 | Research Design and Analysis | 3 |
| POLI 8020 | Doctoral Seminar in Public Policy | 3 |
| POLI 8120 | Qualitative Research Methods | 3 |
| POLI 8130 | Quantitative Methods | 3 |
| POLI 8210 | Seminar in Professional Development Part 1 | 1 |
| POLI 8220 | Seminar in Professional Development Part 2 | 2 |
| POLI 8990 | Research and Dissertation | 10 |
| POLI 6000-8999 | 47 Hours of Advisor Approved Courses | 47 |
| Total Hours | 75 | |
The PhD in Public Administration and Public Policy is offered jointly by Auburn University’s Department of Political Science and Auburn University at Montgomery’s Department of Political Science and Public Administration. Only students with master’s degrees from accredited universities or colleges will be considered for the AU/AUM joint PhD program. Applicants having an insufficient background in public administration and public policy may be required to take additional prerequisite courses as determined by the admissions committee.
A minimum of 1/3 of the total course credits taken on both campuses toward the degree for the Joint AU/AUM Ph.D. in Public Administration and Public Policy must be from each campus (a minimum of 1/3 from Auburn University and a minimum of 1/3 from Auburn University at Montgomery).
Application Process
Applicants must submit transcripts, a CV or resume, a statement of purpose, letters of recommendation, and GRE scores. Normally, scores of approximately 150 on the verbal, 150 on the quantitative, and 4.5 on the writing sections of the GRE are expected for admission.
Applicants should ensure these materials are sent to the Graduate School web application:
- Official scores from the General Test of the GRE
- Official transcripts from every institution attended
Applicants should ensure these materials are sent to the PhD administrators in the Department of Political Science:
- CV or resume
- Three letters of recommendation
- Statement of purpose
For more information, see the website for the PhD in Public Administration.
Requirements
The PhD curriculum includes core courses, a research methodology sequence, the student’s choice of either the Public Administration or Public Policy track, and a series of electives where students develop expertise in chosen area of specialization. Details about the requirements for both tracks are given below.
Core Courses
All students in the program take the core courses in Public Administration and Public Policy.
Research Methodology Courses
Students will take a three-course methodology sequence covering a broad scope of political inquiry, research design, qualitative methods, and quantitative analysis. Students must earn a grade of A or B in each of the methodology courses before they can progress to the general comprehensive exams.
Tracks
The PhD program has two tracks, Public Administration and Public Policy. Students are required to take at least three courses within the track they choose. For the Public Administration track, required courses are as follows: public finance, human resource management, and organizational theory. For the Policy track, students should choose three of the following five courses: American politics and public policy, comparative politics and public policy, international relations and public policy, political theory and public policy, and public law and public policy.
Electives
The other five courses are chosen in consultation with the student’s advisory committee. These electives should help the student develop expertise in a particular area of specialization.
Minimum Credit Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Hours of formal PhD course work | 39 | |
| Hours of dissertation credit | 10 | |
| Total hours for PhD course work | 49 | |
| Hours needed past bachelor's degree | 75 | |
Comprehensive Exams, Oral Exams, and Dissertation Defense
During the spring or fall semester after the course work is completed, students take comprehensive exams administered by the department. The exams will consist of sections testing core and track knowledge as well as one section focusing on students’ areas of specialization. Students will have two opportunities to pass the comprehensive exams and must pass each written examination before scheduling the oral examination. Upon successful completion of the comprehensive exams, students should prepare a prospectus to present to their dissertation committee during their oral examinations. Admission to doctoral candidacy is contingent upon successful completion of all elements of the written and oral doctoral exams. After completion of the dissertation, the students must pass a final oral examination defending their dissertation work before their committee and a University Reader approved by the Graduate School.
Graduate Certificates
Four graduate certificates are offered in public administration and public policy: The Graduate Certificate in Economic Development, Graduate Certificate in Election Administration, Graduate Certificate in Global Public Service, and Graduate Certificate in Non-Profit Organizations and Community Governance.
Application Process
Applications for graduate certificates include the same items as applications for the MPA degree.
Applicants should ensure these materials are sent to the Graduate School web application:
- Official transcripts from every institution attended
- Other information listed in the application
Graduate Certificate in Economic Development
The Graduate Certificate in Economic Development provides a specialization in the theories and practice of economic development, primarily within the U.S and Alabama. It is an interdisciplinary graduate certificate offered by the faculty of participating departments (Public Administration, Community Planning, and Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology) and is administered by the Master of Public Administration program.
Students may pursue the Graduate Certificate in Economic Development as a degree-seeking or non-degree seeking student. To earn the graduate minor, students must complete the program’s basic course, Economic Development and Competition (POLI 7700/7706), three elective courses selected from an approved list, and a one-week non-credit intensive economic development training course sponsored by the Government and Economic Development Institute (GEDI). The Auburn Intensive Economic Development Course is accredited by the International Economic Development Council (IEDC). Since its inception, this program has produced 1,300 alumni, 70% of whom have had jobs in community economic development. GEDI will be an active partner with the MPA program, linking the program to its extensive network of economic development practitioners throughout Alabama.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| POLI 7700 | Economic Development and Competition | 3 |
| Economic Development Seminar by GEDI | ||
| Choose any 3 the following courses: | 9 | |
| Intergovernmental Relations and Federalism | ||
| Financial Management for Public and Nonprofit Organizations | ||
| Seminar in Administrative Leadership, Responsibility, and Democratic Government | ||
| Program Evaluation | ||
| POLI 7920 | MPA Internship | 3-6 |
| Land and Urban Economics | ||
| Community Development | ||
| Geographic Information Systems for Planning and Policy | ||
| Agricultural Economic Development | ||
| Rural Sociology | ||
| Sociology of Natural Resources and the Environment | ||
| Sociology of Community | ||
| Political Economy of Development | ||
Graduate Certificate in Election Administration
Required Classes
These courses are required for the Graduate Certificate in Election Administration. Corresponding 5000-level classes taken as an undergraduate fulfill the graduate certificate requirement but do not count toward the 42 graduate credits needed for the MPA. Substitutions require permission of MPA Director.
This graduate certificate is designed to provide students and practicing professionals with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to function effectively in election administration specifically law and policy and critical contemporary issues facing the election administration community.
The Graduate Certificate in Election Administration is a 15 graduate credit hour certificate according to the courses outline below, and a 12 graduate credit hour certificate if the student has completed the CERA Program (Certified Election and Registration Administrators). CERA was developed by the Election Center (a national nonprofit organization also known as the National Association of Election Officials) along with Auburn MPA faculty, and is the only national certification program for election officials and vendors in the election administration arena. CERA includes 12 courses in professional education and development taught by Auburn faculty and other requirements established by the Election Center including substantial professional engagement in the field through research, conference presentations, and participation in working groups and other similar activities.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Elections Administration | ||
| Required Courses | 6-9 | |
| POLI 6270 | Seminar in Election Administration | 3 |
| POLI 6280 | Election Administration Reform Policy (Election Regulation, Policy, and Reform) | 3 |
| POLI 7920 | MPA Internship 1 | 3-6 |
| Electives (choose any two) | 6 | |
| Intergovernmental Relations and Federalism | ||
| Comparative Election Administration (Comparative Election Administration) | ||
| Program Evaluation | ||
| Issues in Public Administration 2 | ||
| Total Hours | 21-27 | |
| 1 | CERA/CERV/CEM Certification can be used in place of POLI 7920 |
| 2 | See advisor for approval of special topics (e.g., cyber and operational security; auditing and accountability) |
Graduate Certificate in Global Public Service
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| POLI 6380 | INGOs and International Organizations | 3 |
| POLI 6390 | NGOs and International Development | 3 |
| CADS 6780 | International Philanthropy | 3 |
| Select two courses from the following: | 6 | |
| Comparative Election Administration | ||
| Issues in Public Administration | ||
| Nonprofit Resource Development | ||
| Program Evaluation | ||
| Total Hours | 15 | |
Graduate Certificate in NonProfit Organizations and Community Governance
Required Classes
These courses are required for the Graduate Certificate in NonProfit Organizations and Community Governance. Corresponding 5000-level classes taken as an undergraduate fulfill the graduate certificate requirement but do not count toward the 42 graduate credits needed for the MPA. Substitutions require permission of MPA Director.
This graduate certificate is designed to prepare graduate-level students and practicing professionals for management and leadership positions in nonprofit organizations, including positions related to nonprofit management, governance, and resource development.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Graduate Certificate in NonProfit Organizations and Community Governance | ||
| POLI 6370 | Nonprofit Management | 3 |
| POLI 6350 | Nonprofit Law and Governance | 3 |
| POLI 6360 | Nonprofit Resource Development | 3 |
| Select two courses from the list below: | 6 | |
| MPA Internship | ||
| Program Evaluation | ||
| Intergovernmental Relations and Federalism | ||
| INGOs and International Organizations | ||
| NGOs and International Development | ||
| Issues in Public Administration | ||
| Evaluation in Social Work Practice | ||
| Advanced Social Welfare Policy | ||
| Total Hours | 15 | |