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Dynamic Learning Community: New Evening MPA Program Services Public Sector Pros

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The MPA program combines curricular structure, physical facilities, and real-world fieldwork opportunities to foster the managerial skills needed to meet today's greater demands for accountability and effectiveness from public and nonprofit organizations.

Photograph by David A. Harvey

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April 2009

By Liz-Warren Pederson

Convenient schedule designed to serve government and nonprofit professionals

Beginning in fall 2009, The University of Arizona School of Public Administration and Policy (SPAP) will offer its Master of Public Administration (MPA) curriculum in the evening. The change reflects the school’s commitment to providing the management skills that Southern Arizona public and nonprofit professionals need – through a convenient schedule that does not require them to put their careers on hold for a full-time program.

“Our program has always been an attractive vehicle for local government and nonprofit professionals to advance their careers,” says SPAP director H. Brinton Milward. “Changing to an evening program was a direct response to requests that we provide educational opportunities to a greater number of current public employees.”

“As a full-time working student myself, I can say that the evening program will provide convenience, flexibility, and increased opportunities as I navigate around my already-busy work schedule,” says current MPA David Longoria.

Evening MPA students will complete the curriculum in 2-4 years. The program combines professional knowledge with fieldwork opportunities to foster managerial skills that meet today’s demands for accountability, responsiveness, efficiency, and effectiveness from public and nonprofit organizations.

SPAP is ranked 36th in the nation and 7th in the West in the U.S. News and World Report Best Graduate Schools Guide; it aims to prepare men and women for leadership positions in the public and nonprofit sectors, as well as in private organizations which interact with government.

The final application deadline for the evening MPA is July 1st. Complete admissions guidelines and info session dates are available on http://publicadmin.eller.arizona.edu/mpa/admissions/.

Return to Our Stories, or for additional information please contact program manager Pamela Adams at 520.621.3128 or padams@eller.arizona.edu.