The online Master of Public Administration: Public Policy and Administration program at John Jay College of Criminal Justice is designed to prepare students for positions in government and non-profit organizations committed to public service and social change. The program offers students the opportunity to acquire professional and political knowledge and skills based on academic instruction and study, public service experience and partnership with faculty in scholarly endeavors.
Values of diversity, equity, integrity and transparency are the core of this curriculum. Accredited by the National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration (NASPAA), this 42 credit program offers specializations in several key areas of this study:
- Criminal Justice Policy and Administration
- Emergency Management
- Human Resources Management
- Management and Operations
Learn more about our specialized curriculum, or apply today!
The online Master of Public Administration: Public Policy and Administration program can be completed in two years of study, three years or more. Students enrolled in the Master of Public Administration Program in Public Policy and Administration are required to complete 42 course credits. Students are also required to pass the MPA qualifying examination, which is administered as a part of PAD 700. Complete information about the MPAQE is found at the MPA section of the John Jay College website. Students are advised to complete PAD 700 and the two other core foundation courses PAD 702 and PAD 705 within the first 15 credits of matriculation. Note: Specializations also include required courses. Each specialization is listed below with required courses highlighted.
PAD 713 Management of Information and Technology
PAD 745 Program Development and Evaluation
PAD 747 Computer Applications in Public Policy Management
PAD 770 Cases and Techniques in Quantitative Policy Analysis
There is no prerequisite for PAD 747, or PAD 713. However, computer skills and experience are assumed for all of these courses. Students who need additional computer skills will be directed by the program director to other places in the College where skills may be obtained. PAD 715 is a prerequisite for PAD 745 and PAD 770. Students with 12 undergraduate credits in computer courses may request a waiver of the Quantitative Methods and Information Management requirement.
A student may not use a course completed to fulfill this section to satisfy requirements in specialization and elective courses.
Note: Highlighted courses are required courses for the specialization
This specialization prepares students for responsibilities involving policy making and administration in criminal justice agencies. Additional materials on the specialization are available from the specialization coordinator. Two additional courses are to be selected from the above list or from any of the specialization courses in the MPA-PPA program, or the MPA - Inspection and Oversight program.
This specialization prepares students for careers in emergency management. The specialization is designed to emphasize technology and business continuity planning, building design issues, and terrorism. The specialization has three required courses.
This specialization prepares students to assume supervisory and administrative responsibilities involving personnel management. The specialization has to required courses.
This specialization prepares students to assume supervisory and managerial responsibilities in operational services. Additional materials for this specialization are available from the specialization coordinator.
Students should declare their specialization upon the completion of 12 credits. Except where otherwise noted, students must complete three courses listed under a specialization and two elective courses selected from courses in their particular specialization or from courses in other specializations in the MPA - Public Policy program and the MPA - Inspection and Oversight program, or as approved by the program director. PAD 780 (Internship), PAD 755 (Writing for Management), and PAD 800 - level courses can also be used to complete the specialization. Dual specializations are permissible if the student has fulfilled the requirements of both specializations. Students seeking a specialization other than those listed above should consult with the program director.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Admission to the online Masters of Public Administration program is competitive, and evaluation is based on the student’s academic and professional records of achievement.
To be considered for admission, students must meet the following requirements:
- A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university in the U.S. or an international equivalent
- An undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher (or meet contingency requirements as determined by the program on a case-by-case basis)
- The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), or IELTS, is required for international applicants who have not studied in English-speaking countries. John Jay College’s TOEFL code number is 2115-99. The minimum acceptable TOEFL score is 550 for the paper-based test, 213 for the computer-based test, and 79-80 for the Internet-based test. The minimum score for IELTS is 7.
- Submission of a complete application
Faculty Name
Elizabeth Nisbet
M.A., Communication, University of Pennsylvania, Annenberg School for Communication
B.A., Political Science and French, Furman University
Faculty Name
David Shapiro
Faculty Name
Judy-Lynne Peters
Masters of Public Administration, John Jay College of Criminal Justice
PhD, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
Faculty Name
Elaine Yi Lu
Master in Public Administration (MPA), Truman School of Public Affairs, University of Missouri-Columbia
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Students who have completed three courses in economics with a grade of B or better at the undergraduate or graduate level may request a waiver of PAD 704 from the program director.
A course cannot be used to satisfy both a core course requirement and a specialization requirement.