The Master of Public Affairs (MPA) is a year and a half degree program designed to give students the analytical, policy, administrative, and leadership skills needed to make an impact on Armenian society and beyond. Public organizations need leaders that are grounded in the perspective that policy challenges are fluid, interconnected, and global. Hence, MPA students are taught how to ask and answer political questions, how to design policy solutions to public problems, and how to administer those solutions with leadership and management skills for public, private, and nonprofit organizations. The program provides a substantive focus on development policy, strategy, and leadership – all essential to the construction of Armenian prosperity and stability.
Goal 1: Students will be able to lead and manage in public governance.
1.1: Demonstrate an ability to lead, motivate, and manage in a diverse workplace, both within and across organizations.
1.2: : Articulate an understanding of the impact of changing market and political conditions on organizational practice and resource streams.
Goal 2. Students will participate in and contribute to the policy process.
2.1: Ask and answer political questions.
2.2: Analyze and develop policy alternatives, and use policy instruments and management tools to address social problems.
2.3: Demonstrate the ability to participate in the policy process, communicate policy alternatives, and work effectively with government and nonprofit institutions and community stakeholders.
Goal 3. Students will be able to analyze, synthesize, and think critically, solve problems, and make decisions.
3.1: Define, frame, think critically about, and analyze public and private sector problems.
3.2: Utilize analytical tools in the analysis, presentation, and interpretation of data, including appropriate design, statistical, and evaluative techniques for both organizational decision- making and policy decisions.
3.3: Apply theories and tools for public sector decision-making – such as, strategic planning, performance measurement, forecasting, program evaluation, and cost-benefit analysis – to managerial and organizational problems.
Goal 4. Students will articulate and apply a public service perspective.
4.1: Recognize ethical dilemmas, systematically apply ethical principles, and evaluate appropriate ethical courses of action in the management of public problems.
Goal 5: Students will be able to communicate and interact productively with a diverse and changing workforce and citizenry.
Student Learning Outcomes
5.1: Communicate effectively and professionally to diverse audiences.
5.2: Articulate the value of equity, diversity, and inclusion to public sector employment.
Admission into the MPA program will be based on several criteria. The admissions committee uses a holistic approach to assessing each individual candidate, as both a student and potential future practitioner. An undergraduate degree in political science and public administration is encouraged, but not mandatory. Undergraduate degrees in other disciplines will also be considered if the candidate shows strong interest in the program and has an impressive academic track record in their previous field of study. In addition to degree requirements, a candidate must achieve a high score on a standardized English proficiency test to prove his/her English competency meets the rigors of the program. A minimum score of 79 for TOEFL or 6.5 for IETLS is required. Optional interviews of candidates, based on the admission committee’s recommendation, may be undertaken to gain a more in-depth understanding of the motivations and expectations of the prospective student.