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x remove Public Administration, M.P.A. x remove Sustainable Urban and Regional Planning Undergraduate Certificate
Credits Required
39 - 42
12
Format
Hybrid
Face To Face
Location

Classes are a combination of online and in-seat. In-seat classes are held in downtown Grand Rapids at the Richard M. DeVos Center, the LV Eberhard Center, and the Cook-DeVos Center for Health Sciences.

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Undergraduate students in this program study at Grand Valley's Allendale Campus.

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Coursework

Through rigorous coursework, collaborative projects, and hands-on experiences, students cultivate a deep understanding of the issues and emerge as professional and visionary leaders ready to inspire change and foster innovation. Students engage a variety of topics that focus on leadership and management including strategic planning, organization theory, policy development and implementation, law and ethics, financial management, research and program evaluation, philanthropy and social responsibility, and the dynamics of the built environment.

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Required: GPY/PA 209 - Intro to Urban and Regional Planning. Choose three more electives courses for a total of 12 credit hours:

  • GPY 101 Sustainability and Place
  • GPY 111 Cities, Towns and Villages
  • GPY/PA/ENS 312 Urban & Regional Env. Planning
  • GPY/PA 316 Intro to Transportation
  • GPY/PA 324 Urbanization
  • GPY/MKT/PA 365 GIS for Econ & Business Decision Making
  • GPY 381/PA 380 Study Abroad - Summer II/Netherlands
  • GPY/ECO/PA 385 GIS in Urban & Regional Analysis
  • GPY/ENS/PA 410 Landscape Analysis
  • GPY 414 Land Use Planning
  • GPY 496 Field Research Project
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Career Options
  • City and county managers
  • Urban and regional planners
  • Health services managers
  • Fundraising and grants managers
  • Emergency management directors
  • Nonprofit executive directors
  • Budget and financial analysts
  • Education administrators
  • Nonprofit program coordinators
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Concepts and skills in urban planning are applicable to a variety of specialties that include:

  • Urban planning
  • Regional planning
  • Green infrastructure
  • Sustainability planning
  • Environmental planning
  • Smart infrastructure
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Application Deadline

Deadline for fall semester is August 1; winter is December 1; and spring/summer is April 1. The nonrefundable application fee is waived if the applicant has previously applied to GVSU.

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Skills Employers Want

The Master of Public Administration at GVSU will improve the skills necessary to have a successful and rewarding career as a public servant. The curriculum is designed to advance skills students need to build a resume of qualifications that are sure to attract employers, such as:

  • Critical thinking
  • Communications
  • Data analytics
  • Strategic
  • Ethical decision-making
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