MISSION STATEMENT
DIVERSITY PHILOSOPHY
"Oakland University’s Master of Public Administration Program is committed to creating a welcoming environment for all students, faculty, and staff. We will work to inculcate an awareness of the value of diversity and to impart the ability to interact respectfully and productively with all stakeholders, regardless of race, ethnicity, sex, class, nationality, religion, sexual orientation, disability, age, and/or veteran status."
ACCREDITATION
the Oakland University Master of Public Administration programs are fully accredited by NASPAA,
Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs and Administration
1029 Vermont Avenue, NW, Suite 1100, Washington, DC 20005
How many students are enrolled in the program, and do they have prior experience?
On average there are around 40 students in a cohort. For the 2014-2015 cohort, 49% percent of students were pre-service and had not worked in public or nonprofit organizations prior to their enrollment in the program; 51% percent were currently working, or had some experience, in public or nonprofit settings beforehand. 70% of the students in this cohort were considered full-time and enrolled in at least two classes.
How many enrolled students complete the program?
The program is designed for students to finish in five semesters. Full-time students complete the program in two years with continuous full-time enrollment, while part-time students have up to six years to complete the program. The data below show the completion rate for the cohort of 39 students who entered the program during the 2009-2010 academic years:
2009-2010:
Initially Enrolled:
39 (100%)
Graduated within 2 years:
11 (28%)
Graduated within 3 years:
7 (18%)
Graduated within 6 years:
9 (23%)
Of the 39 students who were newly enrolled in 2009, 69% graduated within six years of starting the program. Students who did not graduate moved to other programs or had circumstances arise that otherwise prevented completion within the required time frame.
Where are our students after graduation?
Oakland University MPA graduates go on to hold a variety of positions in the public and nonprofit sectors, with a number of graduates also either moving on to utilize their skills in the private sector or opting to further their education. The chart below presents job placement statistics for MPA graduates in the 2014-2015 cohort; employment categories were created by the Network of Schools for Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA).
Who Employs Oakland University’s MPA Graduates?
MPA graduates are employed in a variety of state and local government settings, including Oakland County, Auburn Hills, Clinton Township, as well as in various nationally-recognized nonprofit organizations including the American Cancer Society, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, and Forgotten Harvest. Our organization is also represented in hospitals and correctional facilities around the state, as well as in various areas of the private sector. Alumni, including members of the 2014-2015 cohort, are currently working in the following positions:
