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Department of Political Science Master of Public Administration
Texas State Department of Political Science Master of Public Administration The MPA Program 3 Pathways to Graduation

3 Pathways to Graduation

There are 3 pathways to graduation: a Thesis option, a Non-Thesis option and the Applied Research Project.

Pathway Applied Research Project Thesis Non-Thesis
Core Course Work 30 hours (10 courses) of pre-selected graduate Public Administration course work including PA 5397: Research Design & Proposal Development and PA 5398: Applied Research Project. 30 hours (10 courses) of pre-selected graduate Public Administration course work including PA 5399A and PA 5399B: Thesis. 24 hours (8 courses) of pre-selected graduate Public Administration course work including PA 5390: Applied Research Methodology. The remaining hours may be completed from the MPA elective course list.
Elective Options 9 Hours Required 9 Hours Required 15 Hours Required
Culmination Applied Research Project and Oral Defense Thesis and Oral Defense Comprehensive Written Exam and Oral Defense

For more information on the culminating process for each pathway, see the links below: