School of Public Service
Master of Science in Public Service Management
The master of science in public service management at DePaul University offers students a broad-based education with which they can pursue careers in fund raising and philanthropy, health care administration, higher education administration, metropolitan planning and urban affairs, nonprofit administration, association management, and public policy. The degree offers three concentrations: health care administration, higher education administration and metropolitan planning and urban affairs. Students can also pursue a standard concentration (offered on-campus or online).
"The program was a great fit for me — I was able to build on my interest in urban planning and community development, while getting the practical skills necessary to run a public service organization. Then, the networking opportunities at DePaul opened doors into Chicago’s community development world, leading to my current job. Just as important, I developed the closest and most rewarding friendships of my life.” — Christie Hahn, executive director, Business Partners, The Chamber for Uptown .
There are currently 185 students enrolled in the MPS degree program.
To graduate, a student must successfully complete a minimum of 52 credit hours of graduate credit. Each course carries four credit hours. Electives account for 16 credit hours.
Degree Chair: William Calzaretta, Ph.D.
Admission Requirements
- A completed online application
- Official transcripts from all colleges and/or universities attended
- Two-page personal statement describing your educational and career goals, relevant work or volunteer experience, and any special circumstances affecting past or prospective academic performance
- Current resume or curriculum vitae
Current students may visit Campus Connection for current course information. Prospective students may log on as a guest. Once on Campus Connection please select Course Descriptions followed by the department.
Required Courses (36 credit hours)
MPS 500 Introduction to Public Service Management
MPS 501 Cross Sector Analysis
MPS 514 Government Financial Administration
OR
MPS 515 Nonprofit Financial Administration
OR
MPS 541 Economic Foundations
MPS 522 Human Resource Management
MPS 542 Policy Design and Analysis (pre-requisites: MPS 501 & MPS 514 or MPS 515 or MPS 541)
Research Requirement: Choose one of the following sequences.
Research Sequence for Policy Based Research:
MPS 586 Research Methods I, Introduction to Applied Research and Statistics (pre-requisites: MPS 501 & MPS 514 or MPS 515 or MPS 541)
and
MPS 587 Research Methods II, Advanced Applied Research and Statistics (pre-requisites: MPS 586)
OR
Research Sequence for Management Based Research:
MPS 588 Introduction to Research and Statistics for Management (pre-requisites: MPS 501 & MPS 514 or MPS 515 or MPS 541)
and
MPS 589 Advanced Research Methods and Statistics for Management (pre-requisites: MPS 588)
MPS 593 Integrative Seminar (pre-requisites: MPS 586 & MPS 587 OR MPS 588 & MPS 589)
MPS 594 Ethical Leadership in Public Service (pre-requisites: MPS 586 & MPS 587 OR MPS 588 & MPS 589)
Elective Courses(16 credit hours)
Students choose from among more than 60 courses based on their professional goals and personal interests. If warranted by special needs or interests, students may take up to two elective courses in other departments of the university. Permission of the director is required before registration for such courses.
Thesis Option
MPS 598 Thesis Research
Students with a grade point average of 3.5 or above may choose the thesis option and replace MPS 593 with MPS 598.