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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

The MPA Degree and Career Options
What does MPA coursework consist of?

Coursework for MPA degrees typically includes both core required courses and a concentration or specialization. Core courses generally include human resources; budgeting and financial processes; policy and program formulation, implementation and evaluation; political and legal institutions and processes; economic and social institutions and processes; organization and management concepts and behavior; and ethics. Elective courses often allow students to develop concentrations by completing additional coursework in one or more of these areas. KU’s MPA curriculum emphasizes development in core areas necessary to effective and ethical public management in local and state government as well as in the nonprofit sector.

Some programs offer more specialized coursework targeted towards particular career sectors such as health care administration, environmental management, criminal justice, nonprofit management, and urban policy as well as such diverse topics as election administration, aviation security, and philanthropic development. NASPAA, the National Association for Schools of Public Affairs and Administration, maintains a searchable database of graduate program specializations and concentrations. Prospective MPA candidates who know their specialized interests before beginning their coursework are encouraged to select a program that offers coursework in that area.

KU’s MPA Program has its roots in training city managers. What are city managers and what do they do?

Recognizing the complexity involved in providing citizens with the services that they need on a day-to-day basis, many communities have opted to hire a professional local government manager. Professional managers go by various titles—city managers, county administrators, town managers, chief administrative officers. No matter what they are called, these senior appointed officials have the same basic mandate: to deliver public services effectively and efficiently. Click here to read more from the International City/County Management Association (ICMA) about the work of local government managers.

Wikipedia offers this description of the role of the city manager.

What else can I do with an MPA?

The MPA prepares students to work in leadership and management positions in the public and nonprofit sectors. The website publicservicecareers.org offers a good overview of what it means to have a career in public service. Here at KU, students enrolled in the Human Resources Management class for the MPA recently prepared descriptions of what it means to be “committed to the public good.” Reviewing their descriptions may help you decide if the MPA is a good fit for you.

This slideshow from NASPAA, the National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administrations, offers a great overview of what you can do with an MPA. You can also browse the KUCIMAT Alumni Directory to see what KU MPA graduates are doing with their degrees.

Admission Questions
Do I have to take the Graduate Record Examination?

All intern options students must take the GRE.

Career option students must submit as part of their application a one page document describing evidence of ability to complete graduate work. Evidence may include:

  • a review of undergraduate transcripts (generally, a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher is acceptable)
  • Graduate Record Examination (1000 or higher on verbal and quantitative portions combined) or LSAT results
  • success in other graduate work (GPA of 3.5 or higher)
  • completion of a recent upper division undergraduate course completed with a grade of A (Where possible, the course should be approved by the Director of the MPA program.

I recently completed undergraduate work. Can I apply for the career option?


The intern option is most often suited for the student who has recently completed undergraduate work since this is a sure way to enter a public service career. Students who have recently completed their undergraduate work are discouraged from applying as career option students unless they have an outstanding undergraduate academic record and are solidly anchored in a professional career.

How many students do you admit?

  • For the internship option, admissions are limited and competitive. About 12-15 students are accepted each year to start in the summer. About 30 applications are received, and more students are encouraged to apply.
  • For the career option, there are no limits to the number of students that can be accepted

Relocation & Community
Where would I look to find out about housing in Lawrence? Should I even live in Lawrence?

Once you have been accepted to the program, you may wish to begin your hunt online using apartment or home referral websites or property management companies. Many websites offer comprehensive information including pictures, floorplans, amenities, etc. If you have the ability to visit campus prior to your move, plan to use a portion of that time to visit locations of interest to you. Finally, if you still desire that final seal of approval, contact a current intern-option student and someone will more than likely be able to offer an opinion, drive by the complex, or even tour it if they have the opportunity.

Living in Lawrence is not a requirement of the program or your internship. In fact, for various reasons, some students each year do indeed live outside of Lawrence. However, living in Lawrence may provide you with the best access to campus and other school resources. In addition, it's a beautiful, vibrant town with a lot of activities, shopping, and amenities. Finally, chances are the vast majority of your classmates will be living in Lawrence. Having applied to such an elite program, you more than likely were attracted to the idea of camaraderie among your classmates. Consequently, not living in Lawrence, you may miss out on some social activities and may cheat yourself out of the full KU experience. Of course, there are many legitimate reasons you may need to live outside of Lawrence. Nevertheless, consider all the implications before making your final decision.

Do I need a car? Lawrence is approximately 30 minutes west of the metro area and 45 minutes southeast of Topeka. As a result, your commute to your internship will more than likely require a reliable source of transportation. Though you may be able to navigate Lawrence on the city bus system, you may need a vehicle to get to your internships and other trips outside of town. If you chooose to live outside of Lawrence, you will absolutely need a vehicle to attend classes on campus.
Internship Option Program (full-time) How do I get my part-time internship and when does it begin?

The process of applying and interviewing for local part-time internships begins almost simultaneously with the start of the summer semester. For some opportunities, you may even receive notices via email prior to the summer session. Thanks to the reputation of the KU MPA program, many area cities have established part-time internships and they anticipate the annual arrival of the new intern-option class. You will compete alongside your classmates and occasionally others for a variety of internship opportunities. Irregardless of your competition, pursue the opportunities that are the best fit to your personality, skills, and experience to find a mutually beneficial match with your future employer.

What are classes like?

With the exception of the summer session, classes are typically three hour lectures broken up by a brief mid-point break, class discussion, group exercises, and, occasionally, guest speakers. As a full-time student, during the fall and spring semesters, you will attend each class once a week. In other words, you will have four (4) three hour class meetings each week.

Will my classmates and I get along? Will we be close?

Of course, the answer to this question depends entirely on the blend of individual personalities that make up your unique class. Therefore, it would be impossible to predict the level of closeness you will experience with your classmates. That being said, it would be difficult to believe that you would make it through this kind of experience without some kind of personal connection with the dozen or so other people sharing this experience alongside you. You get out of the relationship with your classmates what you put into it. You and you alone create the kind of experience you want here at KU. In such an elite program, chances are your classmates will share similarities with you (i.e. career goals, motivation, commitment to public service, etc.). Some people discover lifelong friends; at the very least, they find reliable colleagues and important contacts.

What is the experience like at the annual International City/County Management Association (ICMA) conference?

The University of Kansas is one of the only MPA programs in the nation to take all their students to each conference. Nevertheless, other students, academics, and many, many practitioners and alumni will be in attendance. Each conference schedule will be different but as first year students, you will more than likely split your time between lecture sessions and sightseeing. In addition, per KU tradition, the upperclassmen typically sponsor a night out with the first year students (i.e. bowling and pizza). This, along with the whole of the ICMA experience, is a critical opportunity to create mentoring relationships with an upperclassman. Take advantage of it! At ICMA, you may experience for the first time the breadth of the loyal KUCIMAT network. You'll attend an alumni banquet towards the end of the week where you'll mingle with countless alums. Many who attend describe it as an "awe-inspiring experience."

You will attend ICMA primarily as an observer to learn, to network, and to represent the program. However, ICMA will not be an appropriate time to overty solicit a full-time internship experience. There will be a wealth of opportunities to find internships in the months following the conference. Focus instead on building relationships and observing. One of the most special benefits of the ICMA experience is the opportunity to bond in-depth with your classmates. Group travel to, from, and during the conference is encouraged. Above all, enjoy it!

How accessible are my professors?

Like undergrad, the availability of your professors will depend on the individual. However, you shouldn't have a problem with a KU MPA professor's availability. The staff at KU are among the finest in the nation; they prioritize their students.

How many hours a week will I work at my part-time internship? How much will I be paid?

This varies with the internship and the employee. Some interns work 16 hours a week, some interns work 24 or more. However, the vast majority work approximately 20 hours per week. Local government administrators are well-familiar with the KU program and typically expect an intern to put in 20 hours per week. Many employers are flexible with scheduling and all are required to accommodate class schedules and other school events. Pay will also depend on the job. The average wage is $10/hour but could be more or less. When considering internship wages, remember to factor in drive-time. Some jobs may pay more but require you to drive farther.

Is a GTA position available to me? Is it recommended?

The MPA program is unlike most graduate programs in that it is highly applied. Hence the emphasis on real-world internship experience. KU prioritizes a balance between classroom instruction and real-world experience and seeks to honor your experience as both a student and as a young professional. Many current MPA students had undergraduate teaching assistantships. However, they understand that now is the time to begin shifting the focus from academic experience to workplace experience, critical to your competitiveness in the internship search next year.

Is a second part-time job available to me? Is it recommended?

It is up to you whether you need or can manage another job in addition to your internship and your schoolwork. However, for your own benefit, you will be expected to prioritize your coursework and your internship respectively, a considerable commitment of your time and attention. It is rare that an intern-option student would need to or be able to take a second job and maintain the quality and focus of their schoolwork and internship.

How intense is the summer session?

Some students affectionately refer to the summer session as "boot camp." Summer session is more intense than regular semester classes because it is compressed into a third of the time. However, it is a critical rite of passage and richly rewarding academic experience for intern-option students. Not only will it be your initiation into graduate level work but it will also be the period when you and your classmates are bonding and exploring this new adventure around you. Current students strongly encourage you to devote yourself to the summer session. Staying on top of readings and assignments will ensure your success.

What is the workload like during the regular semesters?

It depends on the individual student's discipline and the course material. That being said, current students report the workload to be appropriate to graduate level work at a top-ranking MPA program. Some describe it as challenging with periods of heightened intensity but overall entirely manageable.

Is graduate work stressful? Can I handle it?

The KU MPA program has strict academic standards and if selected as one of its elite students you'll be expected to excel in every capacity. However, current students describe the experience as an appropriate transition to the next level of work. Some say it is a similar stretch in performance as the one they experienced between one year of college to the next. Like undergrad, if you skipped from your freshman year to your senior year without any intermediate preparation or growth, you would be unprepared and unable to handle the work. However, chances are if you are considering the KU MPA program, you are a high-achieving individual who has spent years preparing for this next step.

University Resources How do I find out information about financial aid and manage my account?

Your financial aid information is available through the KYOU portal, along with information about enrollment, tuition and other important information. In order to access this information, you will need to create a KU online ID.

How do I get a campus email address?

Once you create your KU online ID, you will be able to sign up for a free KU email address. It is important that you have an email address on record with the University since email is the primary source of communication with students from the Public Administration department and the University itself. However, it is not necessary that you have a KU email address. you may register any non-KU email address with the University through the KYOU portal.