Global, MPA
The University of Pennsylvania’s Global Master of Public Administration (G-MPA) is an innovative graduate degree designed especially for academically select and highly qualified present and future leaders in government, nonprofit, and business organizations who wish to hone their problem-solving skills and go on to make a real difference in improving human well-being locally, nationally, and globally. This online program has been crafted by a faculty of multi-disciplinary and multi-lingual scholars in consultation with present and former leaders in government, business, and the nonprofit sectors. The Penn G-MPA enables students who are proficient in English and at least one other language to earn their graduate professional degree in as little as one year (full-time study) or within three years (part-time study). Students complete weekly course assignments at whatever times work best for them. The multi-disciplinary G-MPA provides a skills-based, career-enhancing curriculum that focuses on comparative public administration, global leadership and public-private problem-solving. Individually tailored educational experiences further enhance graduates’ ability to confront today’s global challenges and work collaboratively across borders and sectors—in government, public service, NGOs, commerce and more. The program provides case-based learning addressing international, national and local level governance and leadership, problems and solutions.
For more information: https://www.lps.upenn.edu/degree-programs/gmpa
Curriculum
The Global Master of Public Administration is an interdisciplinary online graduate program with a focus on comparative public administration, global leadership and public-private problem-solving. Students take ten all-online, asynchronous courses; receive weekly synchronous online course advising and faculty mentoring; participate at their discretion in special synchronous sessions featuring global leaders in business, government, and the nonprofit sector; and, at their option, come to Penn the week before graduation to meet the GMPA faculty and staff in person and participate in special sessions featuring leading experts on global affairs. In order to complete the degree, students must complete 10 course units (CU).
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Course Units | |
| GMPA 6010 | Critical Issues in Governance: Strategic Leadership | 1 |
| GMPA 6020 | Critical Issues in Business: Strategic Management | 1 |
| GMPA 6030 | Critical Issues in Nonprofit Management: Strategic Collaboration | 1 |
| GMPA 6040 | Economic Reasoning for Public Decision-Making | 1 |
| GMPA 6050 | Quantitative Reasoning for Program Evaluation | 1 |
| Course Units | 5.00 | |
| Spring | ||
| GMPA 6060 | Critical Issues in Leadership Theory and Practice: Ethical Analysis | 1 |
| GMPA 6070 | Critical Issues in Leadership Theory and Practice: Innovation Management | 1 |
| GMPA 6080 | Global Leadership and Problem-Solving - Public Health in Africa | 1 |
| GMPA 6090 | Global Leadership and Problem-Solving: Economic Development in Latin America | 1 |
| GMPA 6100 | Global Leadership and Problem-Solving: Elder Care in Asia | 1 |
| Course Units | 5.00 | |
| Total Course Units | 10.00 | |
Additional learning opportunities and requirements
Academic advisor and G-MPA Faculty-Senior Staff Committee meetings (required)
Meetings each week with an advisor are conducted in relation to your courses and capstone project. Occasional meetings with the G-MPA Faculty-Senior Staff Committee are for the purpose of having open-ended check-ins, advancing any special help or necessary trouble-shooting and keeping you connected to the widest range of G-MPA resources.
Participation in Issues in US Politics and Policy Guest Speaker Series (optional)
This non-curricular but critical part of the program affords you the opportunity to hear from and interact with present and former US government, business and nonprofit leaders during synchronous online sessions. Our guests are especially knowledgeable about US politics and policy and noted as both domestic and international problem-solvers.
The degree and major requirements displayed are intended as a guide for students entering in the Fall of 2024 and later. Students should consult with their academic program regarding final certifications and requirements for graduation.