Online MPA program excels, expands
One of nation's first such initiatives
Gwendolyn
Voelpel didn't think she could do it. With two young children and a demanding
job as assistant to the city manager in Tacoma, Wash., obtaining a master's
degree seemed more a dream than a realistic goal. "It appeared unattainable,"
she says. "Nighttime and weekend classes or residency requirements would mean
missing my daughters' activities and enduring continuous conflicts with my work
schedule." That's what she thought four years ago.
Today, Voelpel is completing her requirements
for a master's in public administration (MPA) from UNO — and she's done it all
without abandoning her job or family.
That's because she has taken advantage of the
online degree opportunities available through UNO's School of Public
Administration, part of the College of Public Affairs and Community Service
(CPACS).
It's been just what Voelpel needed.
"I was extremely pleased to find a NASPAA
(National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and
Administration)-accredited school offering a distance MPA program without a
residency requirement," she says. "I also liked the fact that the UNO program
provided a longer time period to complete my degree, which allowed me to work
around my family and job commitments."
Initially offered in 2000, the online MPA
program was one of the first of its kind in the nation. Last year, a
concentration in local government management was added.
From this successful start, the School of
Public Administration (SPA) has branched out to offer online options in other
areas, including aviation studies and nonprofit administration through the
Bachelor of General Studies (BGS) degree.
These initiatives "enable the school to serve
a much wider audience," says School Director John Bartle, Ph.D. "This allows us
to bring some excellent students into the MPA program who would not otherwise
come to UNO."
He says classes are taught by full-time
faculty, class sizes are kept small and academic support is excellent. "This
combination has resulted in an affordable, premier quality program available to
students everywhere. We plan to do the same for the online BGS concentrations."
Nonprofit organizations are among the fastest
growing sectors of the American economy, which has created a critical need for
professional administrators. UNO's redesigned nonprofit administration program
was launched online this fall and is one of four undergraduate degree programs
in the nation focusing specifically on such management. The aviation
concentration will be offered online beginning next spring.
Christina Davis, distance education manager in
CPACS' Division of Continuing Studies, says the online BGS in nonprofit
administration prepares grads for careers in a wide variety of high-demand
areas such as direct-service organizations, public interest groups, community
organizations, professional associations and foundations.
"It's perfect for working professionals,
military, rural residents or stay-at-home parents who want a degree to help
them thrive in today's competitive work environment," Davis says.
Rod Streets of Henderson, Nev., says that
after working eight years in the private sector, the MPA he earned in May
helped ease his transition to the public sector. He is senior financial analyst
in the Office of Budget and Strategic Management for the City of Henderson.
"The program quickly increased my
understanding of the intricacies of public policy and operations, and the
leadership skills required to be successful in government today," he says.
"Completing the MPA program has put me in the top 2 percent of my peers."
In addition to NASPAA accreditation, U.S. News
and World Report has ranked UNO 26th in the nation in the broad category of
public affairs, 21st in public budgeting and finance, eighth in information and
technology management and 29th in urban management.
Because courses are offered year-round,
students can complete the online MPA degree in as little as two years. Or, they
may choose to take just one course at a time to fit with their work schedules.
They are required to visit the Omaha campus only once, for a one-day
orientation at the beginning of the program.
Marshall Crawford, a management consultant
with NeighborWorks America in Atlanta, Ga., says the online MPA was a
challenging program that allowed for significant personal input.
"My experiences played a key role in many
discussions," he says. "I think the program enhanced my ability to speak more
clearly about different subject matters in public administration and nonprofit
management."
Streets says he appreciates the network of
faculty and peers he now can draw upon.
"The weekly group assignments and other
projects helped me develop close working relationships with other students
throughout the United States," he says. "I know I can call any faculty member
or former classmate for assistance on a work project and that they'll be more
than willing to help me."
Meagan Van Gelder, program coordinator at SPA,
points to the fact that Voelpel, Streets and Crawford weren't UNO undergrads —
proving interest in the MPA online program goes beyond Nebraska's borders.
"Gwendolyn Voelpel and Rod Streets found us on the Internet while they were
checking out online MPA programs," she says,
"Marshall Crawford was told about our program
by a professor at the University of Louisville."
For Voelpel, the time she has invested in the
MPA program already is showing its value.
"I've found great respect for the MPA I'm
receiving through UNO's distance program from within the professional
association for city managers," she says. "I recently was a finalist for a
deputy city manager position, and my graduate credentials from UNO were viewed
very favorably."
For more information about the SPA and its
online degree programs, visit the college's Web site at www.unomaha.edu/cpacs/degree_programs.php
Certified Public Manager program to
provide new opportunities
A new Certified Public Manager (CPM) program
will provide an opportunity for government and nonprofit professionals to
improve their management skills and serve to "strengthen and deepen" the
reputation of UNO and its School of Public Administration (SPA) as resources
for public management education, says John Bartle, SPA director.
The Certified Public Manager program, which
begins in January, includes an orientation, 14 courses and a major project —
all taking place in a 12-month period.
Course work will focus on practical aspects of
management such as problem solving, communication, leadership and managing
budgets, and personnel. Some components will be delivered online.
"For a government employee, like a municipal
clerk or a state employee or a supervisor at a nonprofit anywhere in Nebraska,
we believe the online component will be very attractive," Bartle says. "These
are busy people who recognize the value of continuing education focused on
practical skills."
The first CPM program was developed in 1979
and designation as a Certified Public Manager is nationally-recognized. The
National CPM Consortium welcomed UNO as an associate member earlier this year
with sole authority to deliver the program in Nebraska.
Participants can be sponsored by an agency or
organization or they can be self-sponsored. Cost will be $2,500 plus
books. For more information, visit
www.unomaha.edu/cpm or call (402) 554-2625.
