Suffolk Offers Several Options for Public Service Professionals
Today, managers of public and nonprofit organizations are facing a set of new a complex challenges. As managers strive to build stronger communities and build more responsive and efficient organizations, they are encountering an operating environment characterized by dynamic political, social, economic, and technology challenges.
Suffolk University has been training managers in the complicated and unpredictable world of public management for over 30 years. The Suffolk Masters in Public Administration (MPA) program is one of five universities in New England whose program is fully accredited by the National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration (NASPAA).
“Today’s public managers need more than technical skills,” explains Douglas Snow, associate professor of public management, “they need to be able to lead people within their organization, create partnerships outside the organization, and solve problems by engaging citizens and their communities in decision-making. The Suffolk MPA is a pragmatic program – we provide students with the technical skills and management knowledge needed to succeed.”
The 15- 17 course MPA curriculum can be completed full or part-time within two years. The curriculum balances analytical and theoretical training with real-world cases and practice-based projects. Classes are conveniently offered in the afternoons, evenings, and Saturdays at Suffolk’s main campus in Boston on Beacon Hill and in our off-site location in West Barnstable at Cape Cod Community College.
Students may elect to customize their program of study by electing to specialize in State and Local Government, Nonprofit Management, or Healthcare Administration.
For those wanting a highly specialized expertise, Suffolk also offers a master’s degree in Health Administration and several joint degrees in Criminal Justice, Political Science, Mental Health Counseling and the JD/MPA.
Suffolk University has a long history of educating public managers. Alumni of the MPA program work in highly visible positions within government as city mangers, budget directors, state legislators, and members of Congress. Suffolk alumni are also executive directors of nonprofit organizations, and hold senior leadership positions within the health care industry.
To learn more about Suffolk’s graduate programs in public management or health administration, contact Suffolk’s Public Management department at the at 617.573.8330 or via email at: [email protected].