Overview

Public Policy and Administration Overview

The Master of Arts in Public Policy and Administration offers students an opportunity to gain knowledge, skills, and attitudes that will enable them to engage in advocacy, understand government and public policy, and manage non-profit, private and governmental organizations. A focus on excellent communication skills will enable students to successfully lead organizations, advance an advocacy agenda, and problem-solve in complex situations.

This program is designed to provide students competencies in the following areas:

• Leadership and management skills that are adaptable to non-profit, private and government settings.
• Ability to develop and advocate for policies at multiple levels of government.
• Critical thinking skills that enable problem-solving and decision-making in complex environments.
• Ability to integrate a commitment to social justice in public service, particularly through consultation with those communities and people affected by policy.
• Communication skills that are adaptable to working with diverse and multicultural people in the workplace and community.

Human Rights Advocacy Concentration

This program provides students with an understanding of how to apply internationally established human rights standards, laws and treaties to advocate in domestic and international settings. Students will learn to create, analyze, write and campaign for policies at multiple levels of government. A focus on excellent communication skills will enable students to successfully work as policy professionals, lead organizations, advance an advocacy agenda and problem-solve in complex situations.

Through community-based learning, students will gain experience working directly on policy issues in nonprofit or government settings. Field work will provide students with opportunities to apply a human rights agenda to domestic or international advocacy work. Potential field work sites may include organizations such as Heartland Alliance for Human Needs and Human Rights, Amnesty International USA, Human Rights Watch, and the Global Fund for Women.

Program Format

The Master of Arts in Public Policy and Administration, Human Rights Advocacy concentration is a 36 credit hour program. The courses required for this program are offered evenings from 6:00-9:00 pm to accommodate those who may be working full-time. Students who complete two courses per term will be able to complete the degree in two years.

Admission Requirements

• At least a baccalaureate degree from a college or university regionally accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency or an equivalent degree from an international college or university
• A grade point average of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale for undergraduate and graduate coursework
• Completion of the following semester courses with grades of "C" or better: Introductory Microeconomics and a social science course in quantitative analysis such as Research methods, Statistics, or Reasoning.
• Applicants who meet the admission standards will be invited for an interview with faculty

The Adler School is poised to offer this program beginning fall 2013, pending approval by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.