Welcome

I am pleased to welcome you to the Department of Public Policy and Administration at Florida International University.

The primary mission of the Department of Public Policy and Administration, part of the Steven J. Green School of International and Public Affairs, is to advance excellence in teaching, scholarship and community and professional engagement. Our emphasis is on creative problem-solving, leadership and management in complex urban environments in this country and internationally. The Department provides students with a professional education in public sector and nonprofit management by offering a Bachelor of Public Policy and Service, a NASPAA accredited Master of Public Administration, and a Ph.D. in Public Affairs.

In addition to the full degrees, Graduate Certificates are available in Homeland Security and Emergency Management; Human Resource Policy and Management;  Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Access and Leadership (IDEAL); Nonprofit and Community Development; Public Finance, Procurement, and Contract Management; Graduate Certificate in Public Management & Civic Leadership; and Urban policy Innovations as well as an Undergraduate Certificate in Professional Leadership Studies. Additionally, we offer two joint graduate interdisciplinary degree programs, Master of Science in Criminal Justice / Master of Public Administration Joint Degree Program and Juris Doctor / Master of Public Administration Joint Degree Program.

All members of the core faculty hold Ph.D. degrees and several hold other advanced degrees. The faculty have extensive publication records and are nationally and internationally recognized in their fields. Several have held significant positions in federal, state and local government as well as in the nonprofit and private sectors. Others have extensive experience with international organizations.

The Department of Public Policy and Administration offers a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Public Affairs that prepares future public administration scholars for university teaching and research and develops skilled administrators for high-level positions in the public and nonprofit sectors. An important factor in the success of program graduates is that by the time of their graduation, most Ph.D. students have authored or co-authored conference papers, book chapters and journal articles.

The Master of Public Administration (MPA) is an interdisciplinary, professional degree program designed to prepare students for public service at the local, state, and national levels and in a variety of policy fields. The U.S. News & World report annual survey of “America’s Best Colleges” has ranked FIU among the top 100 public universities and the graduate program in public administration among the top 10 percent in the country.

At the undergraduate level, the Bachelor’s degree in Public Policy and Service (BPPS) offers students the opportunity to explore a wide range of issues influencing the quality of urban life.

The FIU Department of Public Policy and Administration also offers classes and certificates conveniently located at the FIU@I-75, which structures its programs around the lives of working adults by scheduling class-time around working hours. Evening and weekend courses, as well as fast-track programs, are available to accommodate non-traditional adult students who lead busy lifestyles.

By providing students at all academic levels the opportunity to work with talented faculty and practitioners who are committed to nurturing the intellectual and professional development of their students, the Department of Public Policy and Administration is actively engaged in producing superior public leaders. I invite you to explore further the Department of Public Administration at Florida International University so that you may learn more about the excellent opportunities we have to offer.

Dr. Shaoming Cheng
Chair, Department of Public Policy and Administration