Masters in Public Administration students learn leadership, government operations, and public policy formulation and analysis, which prepares them for managerial positions in local, state, or federal government; non-profit, tribal, or educational institutions, and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) or for-profit businesses. Graduates from this degree include chief executives, policy directors, project managers, advocates, consultants and executive directors.

Note: PADM 501 and PADM 503 should be taken the 1st or 2nd quarter in the program. All pre-service students without substantial work experience in public administration must enroll in PADM 603 for at least 5 credits.  

Required Core
PADM 501	PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION RESEARCH APPROACHES	5
PADM 503	FOUNDATIONS OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION	5
PADM 507	PUBLIC POLICY ANALYSIS	5
PADM 509	PUBLIC PERSONNEL ADMINISTRATION	5
PADM 511	PUBLIC ORGANIZATIONAL THEORY AND LEADERSHIP	5
PADM 513	PUBLIC PLANNING AND BUDGETING	5
PADM 515	ADMINISTRATIVE LAW AND REGULATION	5
PADM 601	MPA CAPSTONE & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT	5
Required Elective Options–courses that may be taken toward include, but are not limited to the following		15
PADM 523	PUBLIC FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT
PADM 525	NETWORKED GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC SECTOR GRANTS-WRITING
PADM 531	INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS
PADM 533	METROPOLITAN GOVERNANCE AND ADMINISTRATION
PADM 551	COMPARATIVE PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION
PADM 563	PUBLIC LEADERSHIP AND ETHICS
PADM 596	EXPERIMENTAL COURSE
PADM 598	SEMINAR IN PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION
PADM 599	INDEPENDENT STUDY
PADM 600	THESIS RESEARCH SEMINAR
PADM 603	INTERNSHIP IN PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION
PLAN 502	ADVANCED COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
PLAN 504	PLANNING METHODS II: POPULATION AND ECONOMY
PLAN 565	GIS FOR URBAN AND REGIONAL ANALYSIS
Total Credits		55

Students who successfully earn a MPA from EWU should be able to:​

• analyze, synthesize, think critically, solve problems and make decisions;
• articulate and apply a philosophy of public service administration practice;
• communicate effectively and interact productively with a diverse and changing workforce and citizenry;
• demonstrate an ability to develop professionally through reflective analysis of employment and educational experiences;
• lead and manage in public governance;
• participate in and contribute to the public policy process.