Concentrations

 A concentration is an area of academic specialization that provides a marketable credential. Concentrations are only offered with the M.S. in Public Service Management.

On a university transcript, a concentration indicates the student has successfully completed extensive coursework in a specific area and has, in this way, gained an expertise beyond the basic competencies required by the core curriculum. A concentration can make a graduate a stronger candidate for a job or in an industry (such as health care or education, for example). Students with exact career goals would do well to consider a concentration. 

That said, a concentration need not be declared for the M.S. in Public Service Management degree.

In fact, most of our graduate students do not have a concentration — whether because none fit with their plans, or because they prefer to choose elective courses from diverse areas, or because they want to retain maximum flexibility in shaping their careers.

The School of Public Service offers these concentrations:

• Health Care Administration
• Higher Education Administration
• Metropolitan Planning and Urban Affairs
• Association Management

Students choosing a concentration take the core required courses common to all the programs. Within each concentration there are also required courses, as well as enough electives to provide students some latitude in the course-selection process.

To choose a concentration, students should consult with their advisors, download the form and e-mail it to Kylie Weller.