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About Us

Welcome

Dear Prospective Students,

Congratulations on taking the best step towards a rewarding academic experience and a great future career.

The FIU Master of Public Administration (MPA) program prepares students for public service roles and careers. The Executive track of the MPA program empowers current managers and executives with additional skills and qualifications to meet the needs of the public and non-profit sectors. Our 3,000+ graduates work in management positions in the public sector, the non profit sector and in private sector firms.

The MPA at FIU is offered at three locations and online. The weekday evening MPA is a traditional program offered at MMC. Applicants with substantial management experience can apply to the Executive MPA. The online program is offered fully online.

There are several reasons to consider an MPA degree at FIU:

• Our MPA degree is NASPAA-accredited and is consistently the highest ranked MPA program in in South Florida by U.S. News & World Report

• The FIU MPA degree gives you the opportunity to specialize and to take courses in career fields such as Public Finance and Procurement, Homeland Security and Emergency Management, Community Development, Human Resource Management, and International and Comparative Public Administration

• The FIU MPA program places great emphasis on the preparation of competent professionals for public and non-profit managerial roles

• The FIU MPA Faculty is nationally and internationally renowned as experts in their areas of research, teaching and service

• Admission to the FIU MPA program is competitive

Our Staff and I are always happy to talk to prospective students. If you have any questions about our program, please contact me at sali@fiu.edu

  • Our Mission

    The mission of the Master of Public Administration Program at Florida International University is to provide individuals preparing for, or advancing in, careers in public affairs, public administration, and public policy with the skills and values necessary to be effective, thoughtful, and civic-minded leaders, administrators, policy makers, and analysts committed to the sustaining of democratic societies. Our program serves the unique needs of the South Florida community and employers, as well as the State of Florida, the U.S., and international populations by addressing the challenges of diverse urban areas at the local, state, national, and international levels. We embrace the strength of our diverse faculty, students, alumni, and community to contribute to the scholarship and practice of public administration and public service, and enhance the quality of life in an increasingly globalized environment.

  • MPA Admission Requirements

    Online MPA & Evening (in-person) MPA

    • Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution;
    • Have a 3.0 undergraduate cummulative GPA.
    • Three letters of recommendation from undergraduate faculty or work supervisors;
    • Submit a current resume;
    • Three page essay; *Note: The essay should demonstrate graduate level writing competency and should address long term career goals associated with earning a Master of Public Administration. Students may also discuss passions for public issues or policies and may communicate potential for success in graduate school.
    • GRE, GMAT, or LSAT score if undergraduate GPA is less than 3.25 in the last 60 credits of upper division coursework; *Note: The GRE score may be waived at the discretion of the MPA Director for students:
      • who have completed at least 18 credits of graduate level coursework, or
      • who have significant work experience (at administrative analyst or higher level) in the public or non-profit sector
    • All documents must be submitted by the application deadline

    Hybrid Executive MPA

    • Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution;
    • Have a 3.0 undergraduate cummulative GPA.
    • Have five to ten years of cumulative experience with public or non-profit organizations and preferably one to three years of managerial and supervisory experience;
    • Submit a current resume 
    • Submit three academic or professional letters of recommendation from faculty member at their undergraduate institution or from employment supervisors and;
    • Demonstrate graduate level writing competency by submitting an essay between 3 and 5 pages in length explaining how earning the Executive Master of Public Administration is consistent with long-term career goals. Students may also use this letter to discuss their passion for public issues or policies and to communicate to the admission reflect their potential to succeed in graduate school and;
    • Submit a GRE Score if their GPA in their last 60 credits of upper division coursework is less than 3.0 
    • All documents must be submitted by the application deadline

     

  • MPA Advisory Board

    MPA alumni and South Florida community leaders, are invited and encouraged to participate in the MPA advisory board.The advisory board provides guidance and support to current students in order to maximize their involvement in the program and getting to share their professional and personal expertise.

    Isabel Cosio Carballo, Executive Director of South Florida Regional Council

    Rafael Casals, ICMA-CM, CFM, Town Manager, Cutler Bay

    Marcos De La Rosa, Deputy Chief, Coral Gables Fire Department

    Yocelyn Galiano, Village Manager, Village of Pinecrest

    Rick Grimm, CPPO, CPPB, Chief Executive Officer of NIGP: The Institute for Public Procurement

    Robert Herrada, Deputy City Manager/Chief of Staff, City Of Sweetwater

    Elsa I. Jaramillo-Velez, Human Resources Director, City of Hialeah

    Laurette Jean, Budget Director, City of Hollywood

    Pablo Zini, Deputy Division Chief, Procurement and Strategic Budget Management Division, International Monetary

    Julian Perez, AICP, CFM, Economic Development Director, Coral Gables

    KellyLoll , Executive Director of Purchasing, Florida International University

    Maria Mitchell, Mayor of the City of Miami Springs

    Alfredo Riverol, CPA, CGFM, CGMA, CRFAC, Chief Financial Officer, City of South Miami

    Miriam Singer, President and CEO, JCS of South Florida

     

  • MPA Student Representatives

    ICMA @ FIU

    The International City/County Management Association (ICMA)'s mission is to create excellence in local governance by developing and fostering professional management to build better communities. ICMA at FIU Student Chapter also aspires to introduce student members to existing local governance structures, leaders, and initiatives that are of distinction. ICMA Student Chapters are part of ICMA's Next Generation Initiatives.

    Must be an active member of the FIU student chapter of ICMA (ICMA@FIU), in good standing.

    To join, please contact Dr. Amanda Clark.

     

    Tasheema Lewis, ICMA President

    Silvia Pereiro, ICMA Vice President

    Jimmy Joseph, ICMA Vice President

    Myeisha Lumpkin, ICMA Treasurer

    Santiago De Pombo, ICMA Secretary, RSO Representative