(GMAT).

Applicants who meet one of these three requirements are not required to submit documentation concerning the other two. For example, if an applicant's transcript indicates that he/she has completed 21 hours of coursework related to public administration (requirement 1), then the applicant need not necessarily submit a GRE score or an employer letter.

Upon recommendation of the faculty, the chairperson may grant Conditional Admission to applicants who have undergraduate GPAs of at least 2.4 and who meet all other requirements for Regular Admission. Such applicants must possess baccalaureate degrees and must meet Requirement B of the “Regular Admission Requirements.” As described above, Requirement B can be fulfilled using related coursework, professional experience, or a test score. Conditionally admitted students are subject to initial performance requirements more stringent than those imposed upon others, as described below under Probation and Dismissal.

To obtain non-degree graduate admission, each prospective student must submit a transcript indicating that he/she possesses an earned bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university. Non-degree status is appropriate for students seeking to take courses purely for their own enrichment. If a non-degree student earns any graduate course grade below a “B” at Kentucky State University, his/her non-degree admission status will be terminated. If a non-degree student completes six hours of coursework at the University, that student's non-degree admission status will be terminated. A non-degree student wishing to pursue the MPA degree may be admitted to the program at the discretion of the chairperson and faculty. No more than six non-degree hours may be transferred into the program.

The Master of Public Administration program is designed to serve both in-service students (those with work experience) and pre-service students (those without work experience), and focuses on problem-solving methods. The academic component is supported by a variety of applied research activities. Each of the research activities is designed to provide the student with research skills, as well as a body of knowledge and information needed by practicing public administrators. Master of Public Administration degree requirements may be completed with 42 semester credit hours of graduate-level coursework. A 3 credit hour internship is a requirement for all pre-service Master of Public Administration students.

academic component is supported by a variety of applied research activities. Each of the research activities is designed to provide the student with research skills, as well as a body of knowledge and information needed by practicing public administrators. Master of Public Administration degree requirements may be completed with 42 semester credit hours of graduate-level coursework. A 3 credit hour internship is a requirement for all pre-service Master of Public Administration students.

A professional core of knowledge is expected of each Master of Public Administration candidate. It includes perspectives on public administration, quantitative methods, research methods and policy analysis, public sector economics, organization theory, computer applications, public personnel management, public sector economics, and budgeting in government agencies. Upon completion of these core courses, the student must choose a specialty area for advanced coursework. Students newly admitted to the Master of Public Administration program must take PUA 500 (Perspectives on Public Administration) during their first semester of enrollment.

The Master of Public Administration program offers three specialty areas in response to the various needs for public sector expertise. These specialty areas include: Management Information Systems, Human Resource Management, and International Administration and Development.

Students may select their final 9 semester credit hours from two different graduation options: thesis or coursework. All students must take a comprehensive examination over the core and specialty areas. An oral defense of the thesis is required of those students who elect to undertake that option.

A 3 semester credit hour background course, PUA 600 (Seminar on American Political Institutions and Public Policies), is required of international students and others with limited academic backgrounds in American public administration.

Core Courses (24 semester credit hours): PUA 500 Perspectives on Public Administration PUA 501 Quantitative Methods PUA 503 Research Methods and Policy Analysis