Master of Governmental Administration

The Master of Governmental Administration prepares students for leadership in government, nonprofit organizations, and private firms engaged in public sector work.

The MGA Curriculum
Students must complete 12 courses for the MGA: eight core (required) courses and four electives.     

Core courses are designed to teach students the fundamentals of effective public sector leadership. Courses in finance, management, and public policy are taught using a “dual competency” framework that emphasizes both the skills of public administration and the political savvy to get things done. The eight core courses include:

GAFL 589 Policy Development
GAFL 621 Economic Analysis of the Public Sector
GAFL 631 Politics, Policy, and Public Service
GAFL 703 Statistics for Public Leadership
GAFL 722 Budgeting and Financial Management for Public and Nonprofit Entities
GAFL 732 Public Management
GAFL 735 Performance Management
GAFL 783 Public Financial Management

Electives provide students with the opportunity to apply the skills and theories introduced in the core courses to a particular policy topic or sector. Electives can be concentrated in one area or can be spread across several for broader training. Students that pursue a specialized focus may also apply for the certificate program in Public Finance, Nonprofit Administration, Politics, or Economic Development & Growth. 

Click here for a complete listing of Fels courses with descriptions.

Students may choose electives offered by Fels, or courses offered elsewhere within the university with the approval of a Fels academic advisor. Students may also seek to apply up to four courses taken in other graduate programs toward their MGA degree as electives, or to waive a core class based on previous course work, reducing the number of courses that they must take to receive the MGA. 

Faculty
The Fels curriculum is anchored by outstanding faculty who bring to the classroom their experience as leaders and change agents within the public sphere. The MGA program’s small class size enables instructors to get to know students personally and to provide advice regarding course selection or career opportunities for students seeking such support during their time at Fels. 

Click here for a complete listing of Fels faculty. 

Full-Time and Executive Formats
Students can pursue the MGA through a full-time or executive (part-time) format. The executive format is designed for individuals who wish to continue working full-time while pursuing their graduate degree.

Full-time format: Students take three or four courses per semester and complete the program in three to four terms. Students who work on internships are limited to three courses per term. Full-time students take their core courses on weekdays.

Executive format: Students take one or two courses per semester and complete the program in as few as six semesters. Executive students may start in any term, and take their core courses on Saturdays.

Dual Degree Options
Students may pursue the MGA and another graduate degree at the University of Pennsylvania concurrently. Click here for more information on our dual degree programs.

The Distinguished Lecture Series
In addition to their coursework, students may attend the Distinguished Lecture Series, which brings government, media, nonprofit, and other public sector leaders to Fels each Friday afternoon. The DLS is open to the Fels community and required for first-year full-time MGA students.

For questions regarding the MGA, contact Michelle Garcia, Admissions Director, at garciana@sas.upenn.edu.