Public Administration (MPA) – Nonprofit Management Dual Degree

The Nonprofit Management MNM - Public Administration MPA Dual Degree Track provides the opportunity for students to earn graduate degrees from two academic programs, the Master of Nonprofit Management and the Master of Public Administration, concurrently.

Students successfully completing this MNM/MPA Dual Degree program will have the skills and analytical techniques for successful careers in both the public and nonprofit sectors. The program emphasizes nonprofit management and public administration research, theory, policy and organizational administration to prepare future public service organizational leaders in public, nonprofit, social service, and private organizations. After successful completion of the MNM/MPA Dual Degree program, students will receive two diplomas - one for the Nonprofit Management MNM degree and one for the Public Administration MPA degree.

Students seeking admission to the MNM/MPA Dual Degree program should apply directly to the Dual Degree track of either the Public Administration MPA program or the Nonprofit Management MNM program. Only one application will be required. If admitted, the student will be active in the Dual Degree tracks of both the Public Administration MPA and the Nonprofit Management MNM programs.

Students previously admitted to the Public Administration MPA or the Nonprofit Management MNM program should consult with their adviser prior to completing 18 credit hours if interested in the MNM/MPA Dual Degree program.

The dual degree track (Master of Nonprofit Management/Master of Public Administration) consists of 54 credit hours. Each student completes all of the core courses for each program with 18 required core courses (54 credit hours), including the research methods and statistics courses (6 credit hours) and capstone courses from each program (6 credit hours).

Courses and credit hours used for undergraduate degrees cannot be counted toward the MPA/MNM track, except for Senior Scholar students who, with the permission of the MPA/MNM program director, may use up to 9 credit hours of graduate coursework in both their undergraduate degree and the dual degree program. No undergraduate-level courses will be accepted in the MPA/MNM dual degree track.

The dual degree program incorporates service learning in some of its courses. Service learning is hands-on learning that provides real-life experience in executing tangible projects such as strategic plans, grant proposals, and volunteer management case studies. It enhances the student's understanding of the course core concepts, helps develop leadership skills and provides a networking opportunity with a community partner.

Total Credit Hours Required: 54 Credit Hours Minimum beyond the Bachelor's Degree

Please note: Nonprofit Management (MNM) may be completed fully online, although not all elective options or program prerequisites may be offered online. Newly admitted students choosing to complete this program exclusively via UCF online classes may enroll with a reduction in campus-based fees.

International students (F or J visa) are required to enroll in a full-time course load of 9 credit hours during the fall and spring semesters. Only 3 of the 9 credit hours may be taken in a completely online format. For a detailed listing of enrollment requirements for international students, please visit http://global.ucf.edu/. If you have questions, please consult UCF Global at 407-823-2337.

UCF is not authorized to provide online courses or instruction to students in some states. Refer to State Restrictions for current information.

Degree Requirements

Core

• Complete the following:
  • PAD5145 - Volunteerism in Nonprofit Management (3)
  • PAD5146 - Nonprofit Resource Development (3)
  • PAD5850 - Grant and Contract Management (3)
  • PAD6035 - Public Administration in the Policy Process (3)
  • PAD6037 - Public Organization Management (3)
  • PAD6053 - Public Administrators in the Governance Process (3)
  • PAD6142 - Nonprofit Organizations (3)
  • PAD6207 - Public Financial Management (3)
  • PAD6208 - Nonprofit Financial Management (3)
  • PAD6227 - Public Budgeting (3)
  • PAD6237 - Ethics and Governance in Nonprofit Management (3)
  • PAD6327 - Public Program Evaluation Techniques (3)
  • PAD6335 - Strategic Planning and Management (3)
  • PAD6417 - Human Resource Management (3)

Research Methods/Statistics Core Requirements

• Complete the following:
  • PAD6700 - Research Methods in Public Administration (3)
  • PAD6701 - Analytical Techniques for Public Administration (3)

Capstone Core Requirements

• Students will engage in a capstone experience for both the MPA and the MNM programs that builds upon the knowledge and skills gained from completing the core courses. Students will complete this requirement through enrollment in PAD 6149 - Nonprofit Administration and PAD 6062 - Advanced Concepts and Applications in Public Administration. Capstone courses may only be taken following the completion of all core courses. Capstone courses are only offered in fall and spring semesters.

Courses

• Complete the following:
  • PAD6062 - Advanced Concepts and Applications in Public Administration (3)
  • PAD6149 - Nonprofit Administration (3)

Grand Total Credits: 54

Application Requirements

Financial Information

Graduate students may receive financial assistance through fellowships, assistantships, tuition support, or loans. For more information, see the College of Graduate Studies Funding website, which describes the types of financial assistance available at UCF and provides general guidance in planning your graduate finances. The Financial Information section of the Graduate Catalog is another key resource.

Fellowship Information

Fellowships are awarded based on academic merit to highly qualified students. They are paid to students through the Office of Student Financial Assistance, based on instructions provided by the College of Graduate Studies. Fellowships are given to support a student's graduate study and do not have a work obligation. For more information, see UCF Graduate Fellowships, which includes descriptions of university fellowships and what you should do to be considered for a fellowship.

Students must achieve a grade of "B-" (80%) or higher in every course listed under core requirements and in the Capstone courses PAD 6149 and PAD 6062. Students must maintain a program of study and graduate status GPA of 3.0 or higher and can only graduate with a graduate status GPA of 3.0 or higher.

Independent learning is demonstrated throughout the curriculum, through the process of inquiry and dialogue. Tangible projects, such as research scholarly papers, internships, and the capstone experience also contribute to the self-development of MPA students. The research study and final report in the Capstone Experience will focus on reviewing and analyzing contemporary research in a student's particular specialization within the profession in order to help students acquire knowledge and skills pertaining to research-based best practices in that specialization area. The capstone courses, PAD 6062 and PAD 6149, provide independent learning experience.