The Public Administration Department was founded in 1975. The Department has held membership in the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs and Administration (NASPAA). The curriculum conforms to the accreditation standards adopted by the NASPAA which expresses the program’s commitment to the field and to public service education as a discipline. NASPAA-accredited programs are leaders in the field of public service education. The NASPAA Standards and accreditation process serve to maintain and enhance the recognition and reputation of graduate public service degrees, globally. The program has evolved from a general Master of Public Administration degree to a curriculum that offers four areas of specialization in:

• Human Resources Management
• Internal Administration & Development Management
• Nonprofit Leadership & Management
• Public Policy

Program Highlights

• New Nonprofit Leadership & Management Specialization
• Public Administration Alumni Network Re-chartered (CAUAA Affiliate)
• New Mentoring Program
• National Forum for Black Public Administrators Executive Leadership Institute Host Site
• American Society for Public Administration – Georgia Chapter Conference Host
• Southeastern Conference for Public Administration University Host

Aja Smith, awesome MPA student, was informed she won one of the graduate NFBPA scholarships and will be traveling to the conference in Minneapolis for the scholarship ceremony! 

She has also been hired as the policy analyst intern for a federal agency!

 

Kemryn Lawrence, a stellar Public Administration graduate student,

34th Graduate Vice President and 22-23 White House Scholar received a 5-year full ride PhD scholarship from UCLA STEER Program to any University of California School of her choosing. 

 

The Public Administration Student Association (PASA) earned a financial award from the National Forum for Black Public Administrators (NFBPA) for their assistance hosting a national conference in Atlanta. That funding will support the PASA Annual Banquet to be held on April 15.

 

The Public Administration Department is undergoing an in-depth self-study to be presented to Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA) their accrediting agency. The department has successfully earned reaccreditation many times and is expected to do so again. This is a collaborative effort utilizing the expertise of all CAU executives, OPAR as a data source, faculty, staff and students. The self-study contains a thorough review of program statistics, methodology and modifications to support the best possible education for the students. 

Mission

The Mission of the Master of Public Administration program at Clark Atlanta University is to educate a diverse group of students in core areas of public administration. The program is designed to prepare students for successful careers in leadership and management in the public and non-profit sectors. CAU’s Master of Public Administration program offers students an innovative global education, high-value engagement, and transformative experiences through research and service. The program is grounded in tenets of diversity, ethics, professionalism, and social equity, which are essential foundations for the development of well-credentialed and skilled future public administrators.

Vision 

The Public Administration Department’s vision is to become the leading Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Public Administration program in the United States. It is our hope that students will leverage Clark Atlanta University’s (CAU) rich history and experiences in advocating for diversity, ethics, professionalism, and social equity to make meaningful contributions to national and international public service organizations.

The overall purpose of the Public Administration Department’s Advisory Board is to support the research, instructional, and public service missions of the Public Administration Department as it seeks to enhance its top national ranking and reputation for excellence. More specifically, the Advisory Board provides advice and counsel at the request of the Department in matters relating to the academic and professional development of the department. It will also serve as a potential liaison for the Department’s current students to the professional world and mentor students as they enter the workforce. Finally, the Board generates the human and material resources necessary to attain the goals and objectives of the department. The Advisory Board is comprised of a select group of 8 – 10 members. Individuals are appointed to serve on the Board by invitation only for a three-year term. Advisory Board members represent all sectors: public, private, and non-profit.  Additional Board information is available via the Advisory Board’s website @ http://padadvisoryboard.blogspot.com/.

Dr. Henry Elonge, Department Chair & Associate Professor
Phone: 404-880-6650
Email: helonge1@cau.edu
Ph.D., State University of New York, Albany
Affiliations: National Forum for Black Public Administrators, Southeastern Conference for Public Administration
Faculty Advisor: Model African Union Student Chapter, Phi Gammu Mu International Honor Society, International City/County Management Association Student Chapter
 
Dr. Timothy Rose
Assistant Professor
Ph.D, Louisiana State University at Baton Rouge
MPA, CAU
Phone: 404-880-6881
Email: trose@cau.edu
 
Dr. Oyebade Oyerinde
Associate Professor
Ph.D., Indiana University
M.Sc. in Public Administration, Obafemi Awolowo University, lle-lfe, Nigeria
Phone: 404-880-6164
Email: ooyerinde@cau.edu
Affiliations: American Society of Public Administration, Southeastern Conference for Public Administration

The application process requires that you complete and return your application to our Graduate Admissions Office according to the instructions. Your application must be accompanied by the application fee and the following documents:

• Three letters of recommendation are required. These may be emailed directly to GraduateAdmissions@cau.edu. At least two of your references should be former instructors in your major area. We suggest that your name be written in the spaces provided before you submit them to your references.
• Official transcript (undergraduate/graduate), sent to the Graduate Admissions Office.
• Admissions deadlines are June 1st for Fall Semester and October 1st for Spring Semester. Applications received after those dates will be considered for the subsequent semester.
• Admission to the Department requires a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with a minimum grade point average of 2.50 on a 4.0 scale.

When selecting applicants for admission, the faculty considers academic background, work experience, and potential for successfully completing the requirements of the degree. We look forward to you joining our program!

Applying as a First Year International Student

We recommend applying through Clark Atlanta University Application or  The Common Application.

In order to process foreign transcripts, you should have your transcript evaluated by World Education Services (WES) or a similar service. If you have not graduated from an English-speaking secondary school you should submit either your preferred English language exam [either TOEFL or IELTS] score in place of the SAT or ACT.  The minimum IELTS score is a 4.5 or a 32 to 34 on the TOEFL. A waiver of the TOEFL requirement will be granted if the applicant has earned a diploma from an institution whose curriculum is taught in English. Before final action on an international student application can be completed, the Office of Admissions must receive the following:

• Clark Atlanta University Application or Common Application
• Official high school transcript(s) from each school attended
• Non-refundable $55 application fee
• Official TOEFL score or IELTS score [not required for international students studying a curriculum taught in English]

Apply at https://www.cau.edu/apply-to-cau/

QUESTIONS?

Contact the Graduate Admissions Office @ graduateadmissions@cau.edu.

Contact the Graduate Programs Office @ graduateprograms@cau.edu

There are two types of MPA students: In-Service and Pre-Service

In-Service Admission Requirements

Admission to the Master of Public Administration Degree (For In-Service Students) requires the following:

1. An earned Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college.

2. A grade point average of not less than 2.5 on a 4.0 scale at the undergraduate level

3. At least five (5) years of substantive experiences in a Pubic/Non-Profit organization in the areas of management, supervision, or significant technical assistance.

4. Applicants must provide appropriate documentation as evidence of professional experience

Pre-Service Admission Requirements

Admission to the Master of Public Administration Degree (For Pre-Service Students) requires the following:

1. An earned Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college.

2. A grade point average of not less than 2.5 on a 4.0 scale at the undergraduate level

Degree Overview

The Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree is a professional degree. It is designed to prepare preservice students for position in the public sector, nonprofit organizations, and to improve the managerial capabilities of those individuals already employed in the public service and in nonprofit organizations. The MPA degree prepares individuals for employment in all levels of government. The curriculum is designed to accomplish three objectives:

1. It is designed to enhance the student’s values, knowledge, and skills to act ethically and effectively in the management of public and nonprofit organizations. It includes the knowledge of human resources, budgeting and financial processes, and the acquisition of information, including computer literacy and applications;

2. It is designed to develop skills in the application if quantitative and qualitative techniques of analysis in policy and program formulation, implementation, and evaluation; and

3. The curriculum helps students to develop an understanding of the public policy and organizational environment including the political and legal institutions and processes, economic and social institution processes, and organization and management concepts.

Degree Requirements

The minimum requirements for the Master of Public Administration degree are as follows:

• Completion of thirty-six (36) semester hours of coursework in Public Administration and other special areas as approved by the department.
• Completion and oral defense of a Capstone Project (Exit Paper) approved by the Faculty.

Program Snapshot (36 Credit Hours)

• 8 core courses (24 credit hours)
• 2 specialization courses (6 credit hours)
• 1 elective or internship course (3 credit hours)
• 1 Capstone Project Seminar (3 credit hours)
• Completion/successful defense of the Exit Paper/Capstone Project

Capstone Project (Exit Paper)

All students are required to complete a Capstone Project related to their specialization. Students conduct research and present their findings in an Exit Paper, which focuses on a problem area or issue identified either during the internship or mentorship. Students with substantive prior experience related to their specialization may select topics within their specialization in consultation with their advisors. The Guide for the Preparation of the Exit Paper is available in the Public Administration Department.

Exit Paper (Capstone) Requirements

All students are required to write an Exit Paper, which focuses on a problem area or issue identified during the internship experience. Students who have the internship waived due to previous work experience may select topics within their specialization in consultation with their advisors. In the latter case they would have to take an additional course to make up for the 3 credits for the waived internship. The Guide for the Preparation of the Exit Paper is available in the Public Administration Department.

Time Limit for Degree Completion

Those students who have not completed all requirements for the degree within the five (5) year period as designated by University Policy for all Master degree programs, may petition the Department for readmission. Readmission forms may be obtained from the Public Administration Department.

Readmission to the Program

The Public Administration faculty will review all petitions for readmission and will advise the petitioner of the action taken on the petition. Those individuals who are readmitted must comply with the following:

• Enrollment and completion of the requirements in the six (6) courses
• Preparation and defense of the Exit Paper
• Completion of all the above requirements within three (3) continuous semesters, not including the summer session that comes in between the regular semesters.

Public Administration Student Association (PASA)

The Public Administration Student Association (PASA) was created within the Public Administration Department at Clark Atlanta University in 1978. Since then, we have been involved in numerous community service activities, which have allowed us to increase our skills in helping those who are less fortunate. PASA provides students with a stimulating educational environment which fosters intellectual, social, and cultural curiosity as a foundation for developing creative alternative solutions to public sector problems, and enhances their professional development through development programs and linkages with public organizations at the federal, state, and local levels.  One of PASA’s goals is to support the education of students in areas of public affairs/ administration and to prepare them for effective public management careers. PASA organizes activities that offer an enabling environment for students to succeed in the program.  Such activities include participation in the annual AIDS Walk Atlanta, Feeding the Homeless, Fall/Spring Cocoons, MLK Day Walk, PASA annual banquet, and mentoring.

Advisory Board

The overall mission of the Public Administration Department’s Advisory Board is to support the research, instructional, and public service missions of the Public Administration Department as it seeks to enhance its top national ranking and reputation for excellence. More specifically, the Advisory Board will provide advice and counsel at the request of the Department in matters relating to the academic and professional development of the department. It will also serve as a potential liaison for the Department’s current students to the professional world and mentor students as they enter the workforce. Finally, the Board will help generate the human and material resources necessary to attain the goals and objectives of the department. The Advisory Board is comprised of a select group of 10 – 15 members. Individuals will be appointed to serve on the Board by invitation only for a three-year term. Advisory Board members represent all sectors: public, private, and non-profit.  Meetings are held on CAU’s campus once per semester.

In-Service Program or Persons with Significant Professional Experience

The Public Administration Department provides a modified program for in-service persons or for persons with significant professional service that reduces the required graduate credits for forty-two (36) credits to thirty-six (30) credits.

In-Service Admission Requirements

The application process requires that you complete and return your application to our Graduate Admissions Office according to the instructions. Admission to the Master of Public Administration Degree (For In-Service Students)requires the following: 

1. An earned Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college;
2. A grade point average of not less than 2.5 on a 4.0 scale at the undergraduate level;
3. At least five (5) years of substantive experiences in a Pubic/Non-Profit organization in the areas of management, supervision, or significant technical assistance; and
4. Applicants must provide appropriate documentation as evidence of professional experience.

In-Service Degree Requirements

The minimum requirements for the Master of Public Administration degree are as follows:

• Completion of thirty-six (30) semester hours of coursework in Public Administration and other special areas as approved by the department.
• Completion and oral defense of a Capstone Project (Exit Paper) approved by the Faculty.

In-Service Program Snapshot (30 Credit Hours)

• 8 core courses (24 credit hours)
• 1 Specialization course (3 credit hours)
• 1 Capstone Project Seminar (3 credit hours)

Completion/successful defense of the Exit Paper/Capstone Project

The Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree is a professional degree. It is designed to prepare preservice students for position in the public sector, nonprofit organizations, and to improve the managerial capabilities of those individuals already employed in the public service and in nonprofit organizations. The MPA degree prepares individuals for employment in all levels of government. The curriculum is designed to accomplish three objectives:

1. It is designed to enhance the student’s values, knowledge, and skills to act ethically and effectively in the management of public and nonprofit organizations. It includes the knowledge of human resources, budgeting and financial processes, and the acquisition of information, including computer literacy and applications;
2. It is designed to develop skills in the application if quantitative and qualitative techniques of analysis in policy and program formulation, implementation, and evaluation; and
3. The curriculum helps students to develop an understanding of the public policy and organizational environment including the political and legal institutions and processes, economic and social institution processes, and organization and management concepts.

There are two types of MPA students: In-Service and Pre-Service

In-Service Admission Requirements
Admission to the Master of Public Administration Degree (For In-Service Students) requires the following:
1. An earned Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college.
2. A grade point average of not less than 2.5 on a 4.0 scale at the undergraduate level
3. At least five (5) years of substantive experiences in a Pubic/Non-Profit organization in the areas of management, supervision, or significant technical assistance.
4. Applicants must provide appropriate documentation as evidence of professional experience

Pre-Service Admission Requirements
Admission to the Master of Public Administration Degree (For Pre-Service Students) requires the following:
1. An earned Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college.
2. A grade point average of not less than 2.5 on a 4.0 scale at the undergraduate level

Capstone Project

All students are required to complete a Capstone Project related to their specialization. Students conduct research and present their findings in an Exit Paper, which focuses on a problem area or issue identified either during the internship or mentorship. Students with substantive prior experience related to their specialization may select topics within their specialization in consultation with their advisors. The Guide for the Preparation of the Capstone Project is available in the Public Administration Department.

Time Limit for Completion of the Degree

Those students who have not completed all requirements for the degree within the five (5) year period as designated by University Policy for all Master degree programs, may petition the Graduate Programs Office for readmission. Readmission forms may be obtained from the Public Administration Department.

Readmission to the Program

The Public Administration faculty will review all petitions for readmission and will advise the petitioner of the action taken on the petition. Those individuals who are readmitted must comply with the following:

• Enrollment and completion of the requirements in the six (6) courses
• Preparation and defense of the Exit Paper
• Completion of all the above requirements within three (3) continuous semesters, not including the summer session that comes in between the regular semesters.

CPAD 501: Public Administration: Survey of the Field. 3 Credits
This is the introductory course in public administration designed to provide students with a broad overview of the field of Public Administration, both as an academic discipline and as a profession. It examines the context in which public administration occurs and its relationship to the social and political environment in which it exists. Students will be exposed to the various functions involved in administration of public policy and how to apply practical solutions to the problem faced in its implementation.
 
CPAD 502: Organizational Theory and Bureaucratic Behaviors. 3 Credits
This course focuses on the structure, process and role of individuals in organizations emphasizing how and why these components have to be coordinated to efficiently and effectively attain organizational goals and objectives. It defines and examines concepts, models, paradigms and theories in the field of organization theory as the basis for understanding internal and external organizational dynamics.
 
CPAD 503: Research Methods and Data Analyses. 3 Credits
This course is designed to provide students with an opportunity to study and apply both qualitative and quantitative research methods. While focusing on descriptive research, other research designs and various data gathering techniques are examined. This course provides an understanding of quantitative as well as qualitative techniques for analyzing research data on public programs and administrative problems. Explores the relevancy of quantitative and qualitative analysis to problems administrators face in public agencies. Students will learn to make appropriate use of applied research in decision-making and will utilize computer programming in support of statistical analysis.
 
CPAD 504: Economics for Public Administrators. 3 Credits
This course is designed to provide public administrators with the fundamental economic background necessary to understand and implement public policy. Macroeconomic and microeconomic theories are used to develop tools that are useful applications.
 
CPAD 505: Formulation of Public Policy. 3 Credits
This course is designed primarily to acquaint students with the public policy making process in the United States. The goal is to enable students to identify, explain and understand the structure, sources and processes of public policy making, and, to attempt to use models developed by policy analysts and experts to analyze government policies and programs. Particular emphasis will be placed on the socio-economic and political variables that impact upon the policy making processes and on the utility of theoretical knowledge and research in the formulation, implementation and evaluation of public policies in the United States.
 
CPAD 506: Human Resources Management. 3 Credits
The focus of this course is upon developing a full understanding of the nature of the working relationship which exists between management and the worker within a productive environment. This type of environment, one where emphasis is placed on creating a work situation which is mutually beneficial to both parties, is the primary focus of the human resource function in public and private organizations. This course provides an overview of the historical nature of human resources management in the public sector, explores legal and constitutional structures, and develops recommendations for establishing and maintaining constructive relationships between these two competing groups.
 
CPAD 507: Public Budgeting and Finance. 3 Credits
This course includes an overview of the political and legal institutions in the budgetary process. The various contexts of public budgets, including political and economic, are explored. Additionally, students examine the executive and legislative foci on public budgeting. Budgetary analytical processes, operating budgets, capital budgets, and revenue systems are explained to provide students with the ability to plan, develop, and implement budgets in public sector agencies.
 
CPAD 508: Information Management Systems for Public Administrators. 3 Credits
This course provides an understanding of how to manage information as a resource and information technology as an enabler in public and nonprofit organizations. It places a particular emphasis on ways in which information resources and information technology lend support to operational, tactical, and strategic decision making by frontline, mid-level, and top public administrators. No prerequisites for this course.
 
CPAD 509: State and Local Government Finance. 3 Credits
This course covers the many aspects of financial management: the need for accurate forecasting, accounting reporting, the players and pressures of the budget cycle; the importance of local revenue sources; the need for sound management of debt, cash, inventory, purchasing and risk. This course focuses on management principles and practices while outlining the financial and economic context within which financial management takes place.
 
CPAD 510: Program Design Implementation and Evaluation. 3 Credits
This course introduces students to the importance of program design, implementation and evaluation in the field of public administration. It highlights essential steps and issues involved in the design of effective public programs and underscore the need to conduct good evaluation for these programs. In addition, the course examines how social science knowledge can enhance the design and evaluation of public programs.
 
CPAD 511: Applied Urban Management.
The course will expose the students to the complex problems of managing urban America in the 21st century. Specific emphasis will be placed on the political environment of urban places with their diverse populations configured in dimensions of race, class and economic disparities. The overall goal of the course is to have the students gather general knowledge of urban America and acquire skills that may be applied in managing urban units of government.
 
CPAD 512: Internship. 3 Credits
All pre-service students are required to complete an approved internship. The length of the internship must be a minimum of eight (8) weeks and 300 hours of on-site work. The purpose of the internship is to provide students with practical hands on experience related to their areas of concentration. This experience should be in a position which provides students with administrative responsibilities and under the direct supervision of a person in the organization who has mid to executive level responsibility. Discussions also focus on the identification of problems which will be used in the students final Exit Paper.
 
CPAD 513: Independent Study. 3 Credits
This course is provided for students requesting special instruction in an approved concentration. Students are given required reading lists for analysis and discussion with the assigned faculty. Students also complete case study analysis and a major research paper on a topic that has prior approval of the faculty. The student learning outcomes reflect those of the specific course for which the independent study is undertaken, e.g., CPAD 521, Principles of community and Economic Development.
 
CPAD 514: Public Management. 3 Credits
This course is designed to broaden the students’ knowledge of the scope and character of managing in the public sector. In addition to exploring the traditional functions and behavior of public managers, this course will place emphasis on the politics of public management. Issues related to ethical behavior in public management will also be explored. Considerable attention will be given to current approaches to improve the management of public organizations.
 
CPAD 515: Comparative Administration. 3 Credits
Comparative public administration is the systematic study of public administration, policy and management from a cross-national perspective. It introduces students to a wide range of administrative systems with an emphasis on third world public bureaucracies. Selected administrative systems will be used in the study of comparative administration.
 
CPAD 516: Fundamentals of Social Policy. 3 Credits
This course examines the approaches utilized by scholars and practitioners in the field of public administration to study and understand social policies in the United States. Socio-economic, political and ideological context within which these policies are formulated as analyzed to enable students to grasp concepts, analytical frameworks, issues and themes in the social policy area. Together, they will also explore creative solutions to some of these policy dilemmas in today’s American society.
 
CPAD 517: Labor Management Relations. 3 Credits
This is an introductory course designed to enhance the knowledge of students in the area of labor management relations and collective bargaining. The primary objectives of this course are to introduce students to the terminology, historical context and current trends in the area of labor management relations as they relates to both the public and private sectors. Due to the legal environment and political context in which the public sector operates it is important to distinguish the differences between the management of labor relations in the public versus the private sector. Finally, this course will allow students to gain hands on experience in resolving labor management issues by examining relevant case studies and participating in various role play simulations.
 
CPAD 518: Strategic Human Resources Management Planning. 3 Credits
This course gives the student a practical overview of strategic human resources practices as tools for management in today’s knowledge-based organization. The organization’s need to link the accomplishment of its strategic mission to human resource activities is explored. Emphasis is placed on using individual HR functions for achieving an organization’s mission and purpose. Human resources techniques and functions are addressed from the perspective of their ability to provide value-added assistance to achieving goals of the organization.
 
CPAD 519: International Development Administration. 3 Credits
This course is designed to familiarize students with essential concepts, theories and activities involved in the process of administering development in non-western societies. Since the concept of development is a western construct, the course will contrast the western view of development and administration with non-western perspectives of managing the forces of change, with the help of governmental and other structures; it will also highlight the areas of convergence and divergence of these contending forces of development and administration/management in these societies.
 
CPAD 520: Environmental Sustainability Policy. 3 Credits
This course is an interdisciplinary analysis of the issues associated with the concepts of sustainability, environmental management, and policymaking. It explores how sustainability influences real-world practice in environmental management, planning, and policy. Students will learn to analyze and evaluate selected case studies illustrating sustainability thinking as it pertains to critical environmental zones and regions, along with global environmental threats. No prerequisites for this course.
 
CPAD 521: Principles of Community and Economic Development. 3 Credits
This course is designed to introduce students to concepts, theories and methods developed in the study of community and development. Citizens’ empowerment, policy formation, and the role of the nonprofit organization will be discussed.
 
PAD 522: Nonprofit Organization Management
This course will explore traditional functions and behavior of nonprofit managers. Considerable attention will be given to current approaches to improve the management of U.S. nonprofit sector organizations. To this end, this course will approach this process through an in-depth analysis of strategic management and leadership processes, including the role of managing financial, paid staff, volunteer, fund development, governance and informational resources.  
 
PAD 523: Board Governance and Strategic Leadership
This course introduces students to strategic leadership issues in the nonprofit sector, focusing on NPO governance (board of directors) and executive leadership roles in strategy formation and implementation. Specifically, it will evaluate strategic and operational management tools necessary to analyze external, competitive, and internal environments.

CPAD 524: Grant Proposal Writing and Management. 3 Credits
This course introduces students to various types of government, private and nonprofit grant funding. Specifically, students will evaluate strategies necessary for seeking grant funds, responding to Request for Proposals (RFPs) and developing grant proposal strategies. The course will also focus on sustainability and grant management approaches to funding and overall strategic planning.  
 
CPAD 525: Sustainable Urban Management. 3 Credits
This course provides an overview of urban management practices to include, regulatory, programmatic and fiscal methods necessary to sustain urban growth. 
 
PAD 526: Housing and Community Development Policy. 3 Credits
This course examines the mechanics of real estate financial markets, including the roles of developers, investors, lenders, tenants, owners, and government. We will address these issues from both a financial and social perspective, including addressing issues of affordability, equity, and sustainability.
 
PAD 527: Compensation Management. 3 credits
This course examines the history, evolution, and contemporary practices of compensation administration and management in the public sector, including pay policy formulation and employee benefits policies.  This course will present broad policy issues, managerial concerns, and methods to improve the effectiveness of compensation practices in the public sector.
 
CPAD 528: Humanitarian and Disaster Management. 3 Credits
This course explores the dynamics of humanitarian and disaster assistance in local, national, and global settings. It focuses specifically on major players and their interactions, along with an examination of the role of local, national, and global politics in assistance efforts.
 
PAD 529: International Energy & Environmental Policy. 3 Credits
This course examines the relationships between energy and environment policy to equip students with knowledge of the physical, environmental, technological, economic and political aspects of energy systems. It also explores the conflict between economic and environmental interests over the expansion and integration of renewable energy as part of the attempt to decarbonize energy systems.
 
PAD 530: Capstone Project Seminar. 3 Credits
This course allows students to apply the knowledge, skills, and competencies gained from core and elective courses in the MPA program to a concentration specific problem or dilemma. Students will be guided through the completion and defense an Internship or Applied Research Capstone Project. This course must be taken at the end of the students’ degree plan. 
 
CPAD 531: Thesis Research. 3 Credits
 
CPAD 532 Thesis Consultation. 1 Credit

Pi Alpha Alpha Honor Society

Pi Alpha Alpha is the Global Honor Society for Public Affairs and Administration. The purpose of Pi Alpha Alpha is to encourage and recognize outstanding scholarship and accomplishment in public affairs and administration. Its objectives, such as fostering integrity, professionalism, and effective performance, promote the advancement of quality in the education and practice of the art and science of public affairs and administration. PAA membership identifies those with the highest performance levels in educational programs preparing them for public service careers. To eligible graduate students must achieve and maintain a 3.7/4.0 GPA and have completed 50% of their public administration, public policy or sub-degree coursework. Pi Alpha Alpha inductions occur during the PASA banquet in April.

Public Administration Student Association (PASA):

The Public Administration Student Association (PASA) was created within the Public Administration Department at Clark Atlanta University in 1978. Since then, we have been involved in numerous community service activities, which have allowed us to increase our skills in helping those who are less fortunate. PASA  provides students with a stimulating educational environment which fosters intellectual, social, and cultural curiosity as a foundation for developing creative alternative solutions to public sector problems, and enhances their professional development through development programs and linkages with public organizations at the federal, state, and local levels.  One of PASA’s goals is to support the education of students in areas of public affairs/ administration and to prepare them for effective public management careers. PASA organizes activities that offer an enabling environment for students to succeed in the program.  Such activities include participation in the annual AIDS Walk Atlanta, Feeding the Homeless, Fall/Spring Cocoons, MLK Day Walk, PASA annual banquet, and mentoring. 

Public Administration Alumni Network Affiliate (PAANA)

The Public Administration Alumni Network Affiliate (PAANA) is an affiliate of Clark Atlanta University’s Alumni Association (CAUAA). The PAANA’s mission is to engage MPA students, advocate for CAU alumni, and invest in the Public Administration Department through the Dr. James T. Jones Scholarship Fund and other contributions. The PAANA will accomplish this mission through the following objectives:

• To promote, create, maintain, and instill in the alumni a sense of personal commitment to ideals, civic involvement, traditions, and principles of the CAUAA – PAANA, the Public Administration Department and the University;
• To develop and implement programs that enhances the image of CAUAA – PAANA and supports the missions of the Public Administration Department and the University;
• To engage current students in the Public Administration Department through internships, mentorship, and activities that support student development throughout matriculation and beyond;
• To advocate for the Public Administration Department through recruitment of students;
• To invest financially and seek ongoing support for the Public Administration Department and the University; and
• To promote a network among alumni of the Public Administration Department to assist one another in professional, economic, and social development.

The PAANA general membership meetings are held three times per year (i.e., April before the PASA banquet, October during homecoming week, and December). All MPA alumni are encouraged to join. Membership and other information is available via the PAANA website @ www.caupaana.org.

Pi Gamma Mu Honor Society 

Eligible Social Science students from CAU (undergrad and graduate students) with a GPA of 3.00 or better qualify for membership. Dr. Henry Elonge supervises the CAU Chapter. Membership drives occur each spring semester. 

Membership in a certified, credible honor society like Pi Gamma Mu provides prospective employers with instant verification of exemplary performance and achievement, distinguishing members from competing job applicants at a glance. In fact, the US Government’s Office of Personnel Management (OPM) offers incoming federal employees a two level pay grade increase for “Superior Academic Achievement” which can be obtained through membership in Pi Gamma Mu.