Joint Degree in Public Administration and Urban Planning
Both the Master of Public Administration and the Master of Urban Planning play integral roles in the University's urban/metropolitan mission. Through its academic curriculum, the joint program provides students with a strong foundation in the techniques of management, the politics of administration, and the theory and practice of urban and regional planning. Practical application is achieved through the internship/practicum, as well as the Capstone project. The joint MPA/MUP is designed to prepare students for career placement and advancement within the public sector, the non-profit sector, and various planning organizations.
Taken separately, the two degree programs require a total of 84 semester hours of work; the joint MPA/MUP reduces this requirement to only 60 credit hours. Full-time students can complete the program and earn both degrees within three years.
Curriculum
The MPA/MUP joint degree requires a total of 60 credit hours of courses that satisfy MPA and MUP core and concentration requirements as shown below.
| Course Number | Course Name | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| PADM Core Courses | ||
| PADM 600 | Foundations of Public Administration | 3 |
| PADM 601 | Research Methods for Public Administration | 3 |
| PADM 603 | Program Evaluation | 3 |
| PADM 606 | Urban Policy Analysis | 3 |
| PADM 624 | Ethics in Public Administration | 3 |
| PADM 642 | Human Resources Management | 3 |
| PADM 664 | Cultural Competency | 3 |
| PLAN Core Courses | ||
| PLAN 601 | Planning Theory and History | 3 |
| PLAN 603 | Urban Economics | 3 |
| PLAN 604 | Urban Data Analysis | 3 |
| PLAN 605 | Land Use and Planning Law | 3 |
| PLAN 606 | Internship | 3 |
| PLAN 618 | Urban Demography and GIS | 3 |
| PLAN 636 | Site Planning | 3 |
Core Courses | 42
| |
| PLAN 610 | Public Management | 3 |
| PADM 604 or PADM 611 | Public Budgeting and Finance or Financial Management of Nonprofits | 3 |
Concentration Courses | 6
| |
MPA Practicum/Internship (PADM 682) | 6 | |
MUP Capstone (PLAN 650) | 6 | |
Total Credit Hours | 60
| |
Students should consult the MPA program page and the MUP program page for the internship procecures that are required for each program.
Admissions
A student who wishes to complete the dual MPA/MUP degree must submit a separate application to each program. The Department of Urban and Public Affairs has a rolling admissions policy; the admission decision is made as soon as an application package is complete. Students may begin in any semester.
For both the MPA and MUP programs, applicants must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university. There is no preferred bachelor’s degree. A completed application, a transcript of all undergraduate course work, a statement of purpose, and two letters of recommendation are required. Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores are recommended, but are not required. Applicants whose native language is not English and who do not hold a degree from a university where the language of instruction is English must complete the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a score of at least 79 on the Internet-based test.
Tuition/Financial Aid
Current tuition rates for University of Louisville students are here.
Tuition for Kentucky residents for academic year 2021-2022 is $7,662 per semester for full-time (9 or more credit hours) or $852 per credit hour. Tuition for out-of-state residents is $14,719 per semester for full-time or $1,636 per credit hour.
The Department of Urban and Public Affairs has limited scholarship funding for dual-degree students. Scholarship awards are highly competitive. Students wanting to apply for scholarship funding should plan to have a complete application packet by January 31 and should contact the program director for more information.
The University also offers financial support for graduate students. Interested students should check the
Graduate School Financial Support
website regularly for financial aid opportunities.
Contact
Aaron Rollins, Ph.D., MPA Program Director
Phone: (502) 852-7955
Email: aaron.rollins@louisville.edu
Kelly Kinahan, Ph.D., AICP, MUP Program Director
Phone: (502) 852-8212
Email: kelly.kinahan@louisville.edu