The Executive Master of Public Administration Degree: American University

Executive Cohort Program Who Should Attend Program Design Approximate Schedule Admission Location How to Apply Tuition Billing Contacts Fast Track Your Leadership Journey with American University and OPM Enroll as a manager. Graduate as a leader. Leadership succession planning begins with investing in human capital. The School of Public Affairs at American University (AU), rated 8th in the country for Public Administration by U.S. News & World Report, has partnered with OPM to deliver an executive Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree for Federal managers. The AU/OPM Executive MPA allows Federal managers the opportunity to complete a Master of Public Administration degree in fewer than two years with a combination of residential courses at OPM and intensive weekend courses at American University in Washington, DC. Effective Cohort Program This 36 credit-hour program is delivered in three, two-week residential seminars at OPM (May 2005; May 2006; November 2006) and 19 additional three-day weekends (Fri. - Sun. from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., once a month). Participants continue in their jobs while working toward a Masters degree, and join a cohort (an integrated community of learners) to create an ideal learning environment for working adults. As a cohort, students take classes in a prescribed sequence and work together in a collegial environment. Participants develop a network of lifelong friends and professional colleagues who can be called upon for years to come. Additionally, every course in the prescribed sequence of courses is designed with specific Executive Core Qualifications (ECQ) to ensure the development program contributes directly to the career of the next generation of leaders. Approximate Schedule CLASS DATES Spring 2005 AU courses meet, Fri., Sat., Sun. from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Orientation TBA PUAD-654 Organization Diagnosis and Change (3) - AU February 11, 12, 13 March 11, 12, 13 PUAD-628 Executive Writing (1.5) - AU April 8, 9, 10 OPM Shepherdstown- Management Development Seminar May Summer 2005 PUAD-665 Human Resources Management (3) - AU June 10, 11, 12 July 8, 9, 10 PUAD-624 Budgeting and Financial Management (3) - AU August 5, 6, 7 August 26, 27, 28 Fall 2005 PUAD-630 Public Managerial Economics (3) - AU September 9, 10, 11 October 14, 15, 16 PUAD-625 Research and Evaluation (3) - AU November 11, 12, 13 December 9, 10, 11 Spring 2006 PUAD-623 Executive Problem Solving (3) - AU January 13, 14, 15 February 10, 11, 12 PUAD-634 Acquisition Management (3) - AU March 10, 11, 12 OPM Shepherdstown- Dynamics of Public Policy May Summer 2006 PUAD-626 Legal Issues in Public Administration (3) - AU June 9, 10, 11 July 14, 15, 16 Comprehensive Action Learning project begins Fall 2006 PUAD-611 Government and Non-Profit Informatics (3) - AU September 8, 9, 10 October 13, 14, 15 OPM Shepherdstown- Executive Development Seminar November Comprehensive Action Learning Projects presented November 17, 18, 19 Course sequence subject to change Revised August 30, 2004 Course Delivered by: Delivered at: Approx. Date Credits Management Development Seminar OPM OPM EMDC May 2005 2 Executive Problem Solving AU AU Jan and Feb 2006 3 Public Managerial Economics AU AU Sep and Oct 2005 3 Executive Writing AU AU Apr 2005 1.5 Human Resources Management AU AU Jun and Jul 2005 3 Dynamics of Public Policy OPM OPM EMDC May 2006 3 Budgeting and Financial Management AU AU Aug 2005 3 Organizational Diagnosis and Change AU AU Feb and Mar 2005 3 Acquisition Management AU AU Mar 2006 3 Legal Issues in Public Administration AU AU Jun and Jul 2006 3 Program Analysis and Evaluation AU AU Nov and Dev 2005 3 Executive Development Seminar OPM OPM EMDC Nov 2006 4 Government and Non-Profit Informatics AU AU Sep and Oct 2006 3 An adjustment in program tuition can apply for participants who have already successfully completed OPM's Management Development Seminar, Dynamics of Public Policy Seminar, or Executive Development Seminar. Program Design The curriculum is designed to be a leadership development program as well as provide knowledge in public administration principles such as financial management, human capital, and executive problem solving. It is also designed to fit the schedules of the managers attending and their sponsoring agencies. All courses have an academic core, but emphasize the application of critical skills to the leadership and managerial functions. The program culminates in an action learning project. Who Should Attend The MPA program is intended to serve experienced managers with the potential to move into the Senior Executive Service. Most participants come from the GS-13 level or higher, however, the defining characteristics are strong experience and demonstrated leadership potential of those attending. Participants come from various agencies and organizations, line and staff functions, and different geographic locales. Admission A cohort of up to 20 participants will be selected for the AU/OPM MPA program. Selection will be on the basis of potential for academic success and on the applicant's level of managerial experience, as well as desire for and potential to profit from executive-level education and training. An earned baccalaureate degree is standard. However, under exceptional circumstances, an agency may recommend a candidate without an earned Bachelor's degree if the individual has demonstrated superior promise. The Graduate Record Exam is NOT required. Preference will be given to applicants with a 3.0 GPA or higher. The preferred application deadline is December 1 for spring admission. Late applications will be accepted on a space available basis. Location of Program The majority of the program will be held on campus at American University in Washington, D.C. The Ward Circle Building, home to the School of Public Affairs, is a modern academic center with state-of-the-art resources. Additionally, three, two-week programs will be conducted in residence at OPM's Eastern Management Development Center in Shepherdstown, WV ? a scenic facility with numerous business amenities and pleasant housing accommodations. How to apply Applicants are encouraged to apply online (www.american.edu/spa) and click on Admissions. A paper application may also be obtained by contacting the Graduate Admissions Office (202) 885-6230 / spagrad@american.edu. Please note: the online application is the most expedient way to apply. Application procedure may be found at www.american.edu/spa/admissions.html. All applicants are invited to contact Monica Moody Moore, Assistant Dean, to discuss the application procedures and any questions regarding the selection process (mmm@american.edu or 202 885-6248). Tuition The tuition for the AU/OPM MPA program is $41,500. The price includes books and academic materials, student fees, accommodations at the Eastern Management Development Center in West Virginia for the three two-week seminars, and meals during the OPM seminars. Billing The preferred billing option is full payment at the start of the program for each participant. Agencies will need to submit their customary ordering and billing information to the organization that is providing the course/seminar (American University or OPM Management Development Center). Both organizations are prepared to work out flexible arrangements to accommodate agency planning and budget cycles (e.g. payment by fiscal year; pay as you attend courses/seminars.) For course work at American University, billing arrangements should be made with: Nina Allen • nallen@american.edu • 202 885-3857 For seminars at OPM Management Development Centers contact: Domestic Departments Tira Martin • 304 870 8073 • Tira.Martin@opm.gov DOD and National Security Agencies Joyce Reedy • 304 870 8032 • Joyce.Reedy@opm.gov Independent Agencies, State & Local, Non-Federal & International Agencies Cinnamon Huie • 304 870 8018 • Cinnamon.Huie@opm.gov Department of Air Force Vi Zenone • 304 870 8075 • Vi.Zenone@opm.gov Additional Programs In an effort to provide a broad range of opportunities for the education and succession planning of Federal managers, the School of Public Affairs at American University offers two additional programs for serious consideration. The Key Executive program is a longstanding program (30 years) which offers an MPA to Federal managers (GS-13 and higher) on a twice-a-month, weekend schedule (Friday and Saturday) beginning in September each year. Contact (202) 885-6230 / spagrad@american.edu for more information. The "traditional" MPA program at American University is also a viable option for local Federal managers who are interested in completing the program, at their own pace, on a part-time basis in the evenings. To learn more about general admissions to the traditional MPA program, please contact Graduate Admissions at (202) 885-6230 / spagrad@american.edu. Up to six credit hours may be transferred into the traditional MPA program from previously completed OPM seminars or from other graduate course work completed at another accredited institution. OPM policy allows for agencies to pay for participation in this program. Agencies and individuals can share the cost of the program. Full policy guidance on determining payment for this kind of program can be found at http://www.opm.gov/hrd/lead/index.htm click: Publications/Training Policy Handbook/Legal Reference by subject Area/Academic Degree Training. For Department of Defense, authorization for payment is at www.leadership.opm.gov/dodmemo.html For further information please contact: Monica Moody Moore, Assistant Dean (202) 885-6248 • mmm@american.edu To receive the Executive Master of Public Administration Degree: American University information in Portable Document Format (PDF 136 kb), please email register@opm.gov with the subject line "American University MPA PDF".