Why Choose BGSU for your Degree?

The BGSU MPA program offers a number of unique advantages for prospective graduate students. The MPA degree develops the skills and techniques used by leaders and managers to implement policies, projects, and programs that resolve important societal problems while addressing organizational, human resource, and budgetary challenges. MPA graduates work in a wide variety of fields including all levels of government (international, federal, state, local and regional), non-profit organizations, international NGOs, academia and the private sector.

Faculty

• The faculty at BGSU are committed to teaching and research in their fields. Courses provide a blend of theoretical learning with practical experience. To facilitate learning, our faculty use a variety of teaching methods in the classroom. Case studies, conference sessions, simulations, debates and applied community projects are just a few of the classroom experiences that are typical of our program. As part of their course work students have written grants and strategic management plans for local community organizations, developed surveys to assess transportation needs and evaluate the Bowling Green Parks and Recreation programs and participated in a semester long labor negotiation simulation.

Assistantships

• Many of our students receive funding either as Teaching/Research Assistants with Political Science faculty, or in other centers or programs at the University. Past assistantships have been held by students at the Center for Regional Development, Environmental Studies, COSMOS, Student Affairs, Facilities, and the Center for Teaching and Learning.

Research

• Interested students have had the opportunity to publish research with faculty and participate in academic conferences.

Admissions

• Admission to the BGSU MPA Program is competitive.  The deadline for applications for students who wish to be considered for departmental funding is April 1.  Applications for the fall semester will be considered on a rolling basis until July 1.  Students who wish to apply for the Spring semester must apply by November 1.

Further Graduate Education

• For students who are interested in education beyond the MPA, a number of our students each year go on to pursue Ph.D. or other advanced degrees. BGSU MPA graduates have gone on to Ph.D. programs at a number of universities including the University of Pittsburgh, University of Liverpool, University of Tennessee, Howard University, Wayne State University, etc...

The City of Bowling Green

• Bowling Green is among 60 U.S. cities on a Forbes magazine list of "best towns and cities where your dollar will go far." It was included in the category of "Porch Swing" communities, which were defined as "vintage Americana suffused with parades, county fairs, and summer evenings playing kick-the-can. . . "This rural Ohio town is a downright friendly place with low-key charm and exciting educational opportunities." Figures on crime, unemployment, and stress levels were among the factors used to make the list.
• There are extensive housing options within easy walking distance of campus, and shuttles run throughout the day to off campus locations such as grocery stores and the local hospital.
• Toledo is located 25 miles away, and is home to a regional airport and train station.

Computer Lab/Office Space

• Graduate students have access to the MPA computer lab in Williams Hall which has 10 computers and a laser printer, as well as a study/office area shared with graduate students in History and Sociology in the basement of Williams Hall.

APPLY NOW

Click here for Online Application

For a printed version of the application forms please contact:

The Graduate College                           Phone: (419) 372-2791
Bowling Green State University           Fax: (419) 372-8569
Bowling Green, OH 43403-0180        E:mail:  prospct@bgnet.bgsu.edu

For more information please contact:

Dr. Shannon K. Orr
email:    skorr@bgsu.edu
phone:    (419) 372-7593

Coursework

Students must take a minimum of 39 semester hours of course work and either
• three credit hours of credit for either a thesis and oral defense OR
• an internship experience plus an experiential paper plus comprehensive exams.

Of the 39 semester hours of course work, at least 30 hours must be graduate level courses at the 600 level or above.

All students are required to complete 21 hours of core courses and 12 hours of specialization courses. The remaining six hours are electives.

Core Courses (21 hours)
Required of all students
• POLS 621: Administrative Theory and Behavior
• POLS 675: Research Methods in Public Administration

Choose at least 5 of the following:
• POLS 611: Administrative Law
• POLS 612: Public Administration Ethics
• POLS 620: Public Administration and Public Policy
• POLS 626: Public Personnel Administration
• POLS 628: Government Budgeting and Fiscal Policy
• POLS 641: Management in Small Local Government
• POLS 671: Seminar in International Relations

Students must receive at least a 'B' grade in all core classes before undertaking a thesis or comprehensive exam. 

Program Specialization (12 hours)
Student must take a total of 12 semester hours in one of the approved areas of specialization listed below. There is a great deal of flexibility in meeting the specialization requirements. Students may also develop their own specialization in consultation with the Graduate Coordinator. Regardless of the student’s specialization, when taking courses from other departments and colleges, any prerequisites, sequences, class availability, and admissibility should be discussed with the course instructor.

Specializations:
Economic Development
Environmental Management
Financial Administration
International and Comparative Administration
Non-Profit Management
Organizational Development
Personnel Management and Labor Relations
Public Law and Criminal Justice Administration
Public Policy Analysis
Small Local Government Management
Planned Program (unique program developed in consultation with MPA Coordinator) 

Program Electives (6 hours)
Many courses are available throughout the university for each area of specialization. Electives must be at the graduate level.  

Tentative Degree Program (TDP)

Tentative Degree Program Form

The purpose of the TDP is to ensure that degree requirements are being met. You must complete a TDPno later than your 3rd semester for full-time students. If you make changes to your program after filing your TDP you must fill out a revised form and submit it to the MPA coordinator. Please keep in mind that a student cannot graduate without the approval of their TDP; and that the final TDP form must appropriately reflect the courses taken toward the degree. 

Independent Studies/Reading Courses

Students with specialized interests in a topic may do an independent study course with a faculty member to supplement their regular MPA coursework. No more than 9 hours of independent study can be counted towards the degree.

Internship/Experiential Paper and Thesis

As part of the program requirements students are required to complete either an internship and experiential paper, or thesis. Most of our students pursue the internship option as a means to gain meaningful work experience prior to graduation. Internships may be either paid or unpaid placements in the public sector, and may be completed either during the school year or the summer. Students with prior work experience may be waived out of the internship, but must still complete the experiential paper. The experiential paper is completed under the guidance of a faculty member that has an expertise in the related area. The purpose of the experiential paper is not to simply recount the work experience, but to relate the employment to the theoretical literature covered during coursework.

Students should begin searching for an internship early in the school year as placements are competitive. Some suggested web sites for internship searches are available on the news and links page.

Recent Graduates have held internships at:

• United Way
• Alaska Coalition
• Center for Regional Development
• Defiance Environmental Services Office
• Wood County Economic Development Office
• Defiance County Commissioner Office
• Ohio Senate Office
• Art Institute of Toledo
• Federal Conciliation and Mediation Service
• United Nations – New York
• Canadian Embassy
• Bowling Green Parks and Recreation
• EPA
• United Nations Development Program (UNDP)

For information on these writing requirements please click the following link:

Experiential Paper and Thesis Guidelines 

Graduate Certificates

Students may also pursue a graduate certificate concurrently with the MPA degree. Students interested in graduate certificates should consult with the MPA coordinator as some certificate courses may also be counted as requirements or electives. Graduate certificates available at BGSU include:

• Ethnic Studies
• Gerontology
• Quality Systems
• Organizational Development
• Women's Studies
• Geospatial (in development)
• Organizational Change
• International Scientific and Technical Information 
  
  

GradSTEP

The Graduate Student Enhancement Program (GradSTEP) is designed to help the careers of graduate students, before, during, and after earning their degrees. Prior to the fall semester, a one-week GradSTEP seminar is held for incoming graduate assistants. This program is generally acknowledged to be one of the top professional development programs for higher education in the nation. Because a primary goal of GradSTEP is to improve the performance of teaching assistants and research assistants, the one-week seminar is required as a contractual condition for new graduate assistants.

MPA Students Association (MPASA)

The MPASA organizes professional workshops and social events for all MPA students.  Recent events have included: a grant writing workshop, a lunchtime research presentation series, a trip to Columbus to meet with the Governor and regular social gatherings.

Program Activities

The MPA program has a number of ongoing programs to support our graduate students.  The MPA International Student Mentoring Program pairs incoming international students with returning american students to help ease the transition to the U.S. and graduate school.  A series of professional workshops are organizes each year covering topics such as job searches, technology resources, applying for Ph.D. programs and advanced statistics.