What is the MPA?
The MPA for mid-career professionals is Humphrey's newest degree program (established in 1999) and can be completed in one calendar year of full-time enrollment. The core curriculum emphasizes leadership and policymaking theory and practice, and students design their own area of concentration around their career interests. The MPA prepares students to assume leadership positions, make career changes, and enhance current work skills.
More about MPA
What will you learn?
The 30 credits of required and elective courses focus on leadership abilities; critical thinking skills; strategic planning; systems thinking and an interdisciplinary approach to problem solving; conflict and change management; and the ability to work and lead as part of a team; and other topics.
The 30 semester credits are divided as follows: 12 credits of core courses; 9 credits in a focus area, such as nonprofit management, economic develop.m.ent, foreign policy and international affairs, social policy, or other related courses; 6 credits in skills courses; and 3 credits in electives. No internship or formal thesis is required for graduation.
More about the curriculum
Who will you learn with? Who will you learn from?
At the Humphrey Institute, you learn from your peers, faculty members, and fellows. As part of a cohort of other experienced professionals, you will have the advantage of a unique learning environment. Studying with professionals from other fields and lines of work will broaden your view of societal problems and potential solutions. Interacting with students from other nations will give you a new perspective on policy issues. And challenging-and being challenged by-the Humphrey Institute faculty members and fellows will spur you on to greater understanding of the questions your community and organization face.
More about your peers
Humphrey Institute faculty members bring a breadth of experience to each class. Most have significant experience outside of academia that informs their teaching, and many actively consult with local, national, and international organizations working on significant policy issues that promote the common good. The people you meet at the Humphrey Institute will form a strong network of mentors, advisors, professional contacts and, personal friends throughout your career.
Learn more about our faculty and fellows
Expertise at the Humphrey Institute
Humphrey Institute faculty members bring a breadth of experience to each class. Most have significant experience outside of academia that informs their teaching, and many actively consult with local, national, and international organizations working on significant policy issues that promote the common good. The people you meet at the Humphrey Institute will form a strong network of mentors, advisors, professional contacts and, personal friends throughout your career.
What we expect from you
All admitted students must hold a U.S. bachelors degree or a comparable degree from an accredited international institution. Students for whom English is not their native language must pass the TOEFL exam with a minimum score of 600 (paper-based) or 250 (computer-based). In addition, you must demonstrate:
- Academic achievement
- At least 10 years of professional work experience
- Engagement in public affairs
- Leadership talent
- Ability to work effectively in teams
- Conceptual and analytic thinking
Learn more about our program
To find out more about the urban and regional planning program at the University of Minnesota's Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs, visit, call, or e-mail us.
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I want to channel the skills I learned in business to tackle the systemic issues related to poverty. The MPA offers me new content, new theories, and wonderful exposure to the community through the other students.
~ Beth Edgar, 10-year veteran of 3M's sales, marketing, and international business development divisions and a current MPA student
I was surprised by the number of international students in my classes, and the high caliber of the students in general. Because of the program's emphasis on doing team projects, we learn a lot from one another.
~ Lisa Gardner-Springer, '02
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