Public Administration

The Master of Public Administration (MPA) program at the University of Alaska Southeast (UAS) is tailored for busy public and non-profit managers who seek to enhance their credentials and broaden their horizons. The UAS MPA program comes to you where you live and work in Alaska and the Yukon Territory, and is delivered through live classes streamed over various internet technologies (anywhere students have access to high speed Internet connection). The program combines the relationships and structure of the traditional classroom with the accessibility of a distance delivered program to create a stable, supportive, and high quality education.

The University of Alaska Southeast is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). The UAS MPA Program is an Institutional Member of the National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration (NASPAA). Institutional Membership provides for access to their resources, the ability to seek their guidance, and to align evaluation of the UAS MPA program with national standards. Due to the size of the UAS MPA Program we are ineligible for national accreditation with NASPAA.

The MPA student handbook describes our program, admission procedure, degree requirements, program policies, student resources, and include a description of all our courses. The handbook provides valuable information to start, plan, and complete the MPA degree.

"The flexibility of the UAS MPA program fit nicely with my work schedule. Unlike other e-Learning programs, my UAS MPA classes were highly interactive and relevant to my career in local government." Justin Doll, UAS MPA Graduate

MPA concentrations

In addition to the required core classes and the capstone course, MPA students must take four electives. UAS offers a number of choices for students to fulfill the elective requirement. A list of courses and course descriptions, including electives offered can be found in the Attachments.

Students have the option to use those four electives to earn an MPA general concentration or to pursue a special concentration in Natural Resource Policy, Municipal Governance, Higher Education Administration and Rural Development

General concentration
The MPA provides many opportunities for students to advance in their professional development. The general concentration is designed to give students freedom in choosing electives that best fit that development.

In this concentration, students can choose for their 12 elective credits any of the electives that are offered in the program. This allows students to define and develop their own plan that meets their current and future needs to be successful in their professions.

Natural Resource Policy (12 credits) (Enrollment currently suspended)
The Natural Resource Policy concentration addresses the need for professional management training in Alaskan natural resources and environmental management issues. Alaska with its abundance of natural resources and concomitant management issues are uniquely Alaskan as addressed in the State Constitution need unique management and sustainable solutions which this concentration provides. This program also supports and builds upon UAS’s strong undergraduate natural sciences and in particular the Environmental Studies program.

• PADM S635 – Natural Resource Policy 3 credits
• PADM S637 – Local and Global Sustainability 3 credits
• PADM S638 – Sustainable Energy and Environment 3 credits
• PADM S639 – Adaptive Management 3 credits
• PADM S640 – Food Security and Sustainability
• PADM S642 – Climate Governance in the North 3 credits

Higher Education Administration (12 Credits)
The Higher Education emphasis in the MPA program prepares individuals to engage with critical issues in higher education through the acquisition of analytical and critical thinking skills and knowledge of the application of theory in organizational development, policy and law and historical and contemporary issues in higher education.

• PADM S651 ̵ Introduction to Higher Education 3 credits
• PADM S653 ̵ Organizational Development in Higher Education 3 credits
• PADM S655 ̵ Higher Education and Public Policy 3 credits
• PADM S657 ̵ Higher Education Law 3 credits

Municipal Governance (12 credits) (Enrollment currently suspended)
This concentration focuses on the role and responsibilities of municipal government in a polycentric context by examining the authorities and overall mission and delivery of local services such as strategic management, the role of the city manager, land use planning, public safety, and financial management. Adaptation and resilience concepts applied to rural and non-rural communities in Alaska and Yukon will be emphasized.

Rural Development (12 credits)
The Rural Development concentration has a special focus on the needs of indigenous and other rural communities, including management of tribal governments, community organizations, and indigenous-controlled profit and non-profit corporations. Coursework for this concentration is offered by e-Learning technologies through the Rural Development program at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Students interested in this concentration should contact the UAS MPA Program Coordinator at 907-796-6303 or the UAF Alaska Native Studies and Rural Development Program Advisor at 907-474-5293.

Recommended Courses:

• RD F601 – Political Economy of the Circumpolar North
• RD F651 – Management Strategies for Rural Development

12 credits to be selected in consultation with the UAF Rural Development Advisor and MPA Program Coordinator.

General electives

Recommended general electives are:

• PADM S625 – Economics and Public Policy (focus on Behavioral Economics)
• PADM S676 – Political Leadership and Civility
• PADM S693 JD1 – ST: Ethics in Public Administration
• PADM S693 JD2 – ST: Employment Law in the Public Sector
• PADM S693 JD3 – ST: Environmental Economics 

Each of listed courses has three (3) credits value.

As mentioned earlier, the MPA students can also take advisor approved electives from some other master programs within the UA system. In addition, the student can earn credit through the internship program, such as a legislative internship.

Electives focused on Nonprofit Organizations (3 credits each course)

• PADM S661 – Social Entrepreneurship
• PADM S662 – Governing Nonprofit Organizations and the Board of Directors
• PADM S663 – Marketing for Nonprofit Organizations (focus on Social Marketing)

Electives focused on Natural Resource Policy (3 credits each course)

• PADM S635 – Natural Resource Policy
• PADM S637 – Local and Global Sustainability
• PADM S638 – Sustainable Energy and Environment
• PADM S639 – Adaptive Management
• PADM S640 – Food Security and Sustainability
• PADM S642 – Climate Governance in the North

Electives focused on Municipal Governance (3 credits each course)

• PADM S641 – Land Use Planning and Resilient Communities
• PADM S642 – Climate Governance in the North
• PADM S643 – Role of the City Manager
• PADM S645 – Municipal Governance

Electives are offered based on identified students’ interest, or other MPA plans. Check the MAP program course offering for each term and consult your Advisor.

Completion of the MPA program provides individuals with the skills necessary for entrance or advancement in professional positions in the public and non-profit sector. Employment opportunities can include areas such as:

• state & local government
• non-profit organizations
• tribal government
• military
• economic development
• public education
• Department of Transportation
• juvenile justice
• health & human services
• law enforcement
• fish & game
• environmental protection agency

Fees

Tuition fees are set by the University of Alaska Southeast.

Course costs in Canadian dollars average CAN$1850 to $2500 per course. 

For a schedule of tuition and fees, please refer to the University of Alaska Southeast Academic Catalog for the current academic year and reference the Fees & Expenses section.

Click here to view the MPA Graduate Handbook.

Student financial awards

Education is an investment in your future, your family and your community. Yukon University is pleased to support that investment by offering some of the most competitive tuition rates in the country, as well as several student financial awards to help offset your educational and living costs.

Financial assistance

There are government programs, scholarships, bursaries, awards and First Nation funding available to financially support you throughout your academic career.

See money matters for more information, or talk to our financial advising staff in the Student Services Centre. Email or call 867 456 8574 to make an appointment.