The Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree is designed to develop and promote leadership potential. The world of nonprofit, governmental, healthcare, and law-enforcement related agencies requires individuals with sharp analytic skills, budgetary acumen and excellent human relations ability.
Within this program, students develop a research level necessary to set the foundation for clear data driven decision making. The program balances research with an additional focus on the need for values and ethics in public policy. As a result, Hilbert's program is consistent with its mission. It is expected that Hilbert graduates will go on to lead with a level of competency and integrity second to none.
Unique to Hilbert, the MPA curriculum includes an integrated research project threaded throughout the program. Unlike most graduate programs that ask for a final semester thesis, the Hilbert program allows for a more thorough application of theory and research since the project starts early in the program. As students are challenged by the various coursework along the way, the research acts as a foundation upon which to ground and challenge theory to a practical application, culminating in a final capstone major project.
Students take one course at a time and move with a cohort, developing colleagues and friends. Cohorts remain together throughout the 18-month program, changing a course of study every five weeks to complete 12 sessions.
The accelerated cohort model is convenient for individuals who are employed full time.
Classes meet on Wednesday evenings from 6 to 9 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.