Master of Public Administration

at Kaplan Group - Arizona State University - Downtown Phoenix Campus USA

This top-ranked concentration within our MPA program (#5 in Nonprofit Management, U.S. News & World Report) will help you turn your desire for public service into a rewarding career as a nonprofit leader. The program can be completed full time, part time or entirely online.

The MPA is a professional degree program designed to prepare students for public service at all levels of government as well as the nonprofit and private sectors. The program consists of a core curriculum emphasizing managerial and analytic skills needed to work in a large range of careers that serve the public good.

The nonprofit administration concentration builds on the core program though the application of administrative and leadership principles to train students as professionals who choose careers in the nonprofit sector. Students focus on the managerial aspects of running nonprofit organizations that solve specific challenges in communities around the world, and that provide needed services not available through traditional markets or government providers. Students gain important skills to succeed including financial management, volunteer management, fundraising, strategic planning and how to work with boards of directors.

The School of Public Affairs offers a concentration in business as part of the BS in public service and public policy.

This concentration establishes a core business curriculum while allowing students the flexibility to pursue their passion, from entrepreneurial opportunities to working for a Fortune 500 company. Coursework teaches lasting business concepts.

The BS in food and nutrition entrepreneurship addresses significant and ongoing changes in the food industry by preparing students with sound nutrition principles and business acumen that will enable them to competitively participate in a growing field.

The program encompasses important areas of knowledge and skills for future nutrition entrepreneurs, whether they intend to innovate within an organization or launch a food or nutrition-related business. Key topics include how to develop an online presence, supported by evidence-based principles, thorough social media, blogging, podcasting and video; how to launch nutritionally sound startups and businesses for individual practice and consulting; and how to innovate within the food industry through research and development.

The MGM concentration in digital audience strategy is designed for students interested in augmenting their digital skills in the areas of marketing, design and product development. Through a collaborative sequence of courses offered in partnership with other ASU colleges, students can combine the global management skills found in graduates of the traditional Master of Global Management with digital expertise.

Strong quantitative and qualitative research methods provide the foundation of effective digital audience strategy, and graduates of the program master the ability to conduct research to identify and reach target audiences and to demonstrate returns on investments.

The research used to identify and reach target audiences through digital audience strategy includes traditional and emerging methods such as real-time website and social media audience analysis, social network analysis, search engine optimization analysis, surveys, focus groups and competitive analysis. Graduates master a range of methods to inform strategy for specific outcomes.

This concentration is perfect for students who are interested in expanding and refining their digital skills in the areas of marketing, design and product development to complement a strong core of global leadership and management skills. A Master of Global Management from Thunderbird with a concentration in digital audience strategy prepares graduates to take on leadership roles around the world in industries such as entertainment, journalism, public relations, marketing and many others.

The BS program in health sciences provides students with the academic knowledge and skills that allow them to move directly into a range of employment opportunities within the health field or to continue their education in discipline-specific programs.

Students choose a track focus in either community-based health outcomes; health legislation and regulation; integrated care; or language, speech and communication.

A limited number of students each year may apply to pursue the echocardiography certificate through Mayo Clinic. Once the certificate is successfully completed, students may transfer the credits to Arizona State University and those credits may be applied toward completion of the Bachelor of Science in health sciences. Students interested in this option should seek advising before starting this track.

The MS in community resources and development with a concentration in parks and recreation management is a research-oriented master's degree program. Students learn to analyze and understand critical topics and issues pertinent to the fields of tourism, parks and recreation management, nonprofits and nongovernmental organizations, and sustainable communities.

Prepare to lead community colleges, colleges and universities toward solutions in contemporary challenges. You'll gain the skills needed to operate successfully in environments that demand innovation, excellence, inclusion and collaboration.

The MEd program in higher and postsecondary education is designed to facilitate the professional development of those who work in colleges and universities in administrative roles, as well as academic support and student support positions.

The program develops leaders who have a strong understanding of the theory and practice of higher education administration; possess the ability to analyze issues confronting contemporary colleges and universities; and can exercise innovative and effective decision-making.

Coursework addresses a range of practice-focused topics in the field, including the following: the history of higher education in the United States; organizational characteristics of colleges and universities; important laws and policies pertaining to administrative practice in higher education; how colleges and universities are funded; how to work successfully with diverse stakeholders in contemporary higher education; and how to collect and use data to improve decision-making.

This 30 credit-hour, 10-course program is offered on a 7.5-week calendar in fall and spring semesters (six weeks in summer). Students may enroll part time or full time.

Most courses are offered in a hybrid format with 50% of the content delivered face-to-face (weekday evenings) and 50% delivered through independent or technology-supported learning experiences and fieldwork.

This program culminates with the creation and presentation of an applied project in which students demonstrate their understanding of critical issues in higher education and how to collect and use data to improve their professional practice. The project is also designed to promote graduates' career advancement in higher and postsecondary education settings.

Social services delivery is a fundamental building block of government affairs. Through this concentration, students explore the foundation and practices of social services and how social services can be designed, delivered and evaluated at local, state and federal levels.

The BS program in criminology and criminal justice is for students who want to understand the causes of crime, the role of criminal justice agencies in the control of crime and the consequences of crime.

Students learn sociological, psychological, biological and economic explanations for individual crime as well as differences in crime across neighborhoods, states, countries and over time. They also learn about the history, legal issues and current practices of crime control via police agencies, the court system, prisons, probation and parole.

These topics are delivered by top-ranking research faculty who offer students hands-on research opportunities and by experienced criminal justice professionals with intimate knowledge of the daily realities of crime and criminals. Students are encouraged to take advantage of internship opportunities in more than 200 agencies, study abroad programs and flexible course scheduling offered in-person, online and across multiple campuses.

The program is designed for students interested in working in sustainable tourism, hospitality, travel and related fields. The concentration in sustainable tourism opens up a world of opportunities, allowing students to take courses in sustainable tourism from ASU's Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions at the Downtown Phoenix campus, located in the heart of the state capital's thriving business district.

Students specialize in sustainable tourism management, mastering the principles and practices of successful sustainable development in the tourism field. Together, a diverse cohort learns to integrate economic, social and environmental aspects of sustainability as it relates to tourism; conduct sustainability audits for destinations and businesses; evaluate community impacts of tourism; innovate and evaluate sustainable tourism practices; and perform business planning and management. Students receive specialized, hands-on training in international business, cross-cultural relations, global political economy and regional business environments.

Graduates enter their profession ready to oversee initiatives in research, development, implementation, execution and evaluation of sustainable tourism plans for businesses and destinations. Graduates are prepared to enter today's complex and exciting global economy at the top of organizations that operate across borders. They join a global network of Thunderbird alumni who hold leadership positions in global organizations worldwide.