Public Administration

Sheila Toppin is the Chairperson and Associate Professor of Public administration (tenured).  She holds a B.S. in Criminal Justice from Illinois State University, an MPA from Clark-Atlanta University, 18 graduate hours in Criminal Justice Science and a Doctor of Public Administration from Valdosta State University.

Specializations: Public Policy, Public Management, Human Resources Management, Criminal Justice Administration.

Veronica Adams-Cooper is a Professor of Public Administration (tenured).  She holds a B.A. (Honors) in Psychology, a B.A. in Sociology, and a M.S. in Criminal Justice from Grambling State University and a Ph.D. in Public Administration from Jackson State University.

Specializations: Social Equity, Community and Economic Development, Non-Profit Administration, and Program Development, Management, and Evaluation

Bruce Neubauer is an Associate Professor of Public Administration (tenured). He holds a B.S. in Management from Georgia Institute of Technology, MPA from University of Georgia, an MBA from Augusta State University, a M.S. in Management Information Systems from the University of Nebraska at Omaha, and a Ph.D. in Public Administration from University of Georgia.

Specializations: Public Information Systems, Research Methods, and Educational Technologies.

Ismail Soujaa is an Assistant Professor of Public Administration (tenure track). He holds a B.A. in English from Saiss University, an MPA from Arkansas State University, and a Ph.D. in Public Administration and Management from the University of North Texas. 

Specializations: Public Management, Organizational Theory and Behavior, and Emergency Management.

Marsha Lawrence is an Assistant Professor of Public Administration (tenure track). She holds a B.S. in an Allied Health Sciences and MPA from Albany State University, and a Ph.D. in Human Services with a specialization in Health Care Administration and Management from Capella University. 

Specializations: Health Care Administration, Healthcare Disparities.

Stephanie Marcus is the Administrative Specialist for the Public Administration Department. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from Albany State University.

The mission statement of Albany State University's MPA program is to:

• Provide professional, graduate-level education, skills, and training for students aspiring to leadership and management positions in government, nonprofit organizations, and the private sector.
  
  
• Provide professional assistance to public, government, and nonprofit organizations in Southwest Georgia, Dougherty County, and the surrounding communities through public service of the faculty and students.
  
  
• Increase the number of qualified graduates from historically underserved populations through inclusive campus-based and distance learning instruction.

The current mission was adopted in the fall of 2002 and was revised in the fall of 2010 and spring 2011 semesters. The mission statement was further revised in the fall of 2016 as result of the consolidation of the former Darton State College and Albany State University. Ongoing reviews and revisions have occurred in spring 2017, summer 2017 and fall 2024 by all stakeholders of the program.

The MPA program is currently housed in the Department of Public Administration in the College of Business, Education and Professional Studies (CoBEPS).

Click here to view more information on the CoBEPS.

The MPA program currently offers two modalities for program delivery:

1. A traditional model with face-to-face, on campus classes with some online course work; and
   
   
2. A fully online model, with all virtual course work without a campus requirement.

Program completion requires the successful completion of 36 credit hours comprised of 12 courses (9 core courses and 3 concentration courses). Students may pursue a double concentration which will require the completion of three additional hours in the second area of concentration. Graduation requirements include completion of an internship and an exit process including a portfolio and Capstone report.

Click here to view more information in the Graduate Catalog.

• Full time students can generally complete the degree within two years
  
  
• Part time students can generally complete the degree within three years

The program does not offer dual degrees.

The program currently includes the following concentrations:

• Criminal Justice Administration
• Health Administration & Policy
• Human Resources Management
• Public Management

Fast Track - At the present time there is no fast track option for degree completion.

• Hold an undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited institution with an undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 or better.
• The MPA program at ASU does not require GRE or MAT scores for admission purposes.
• Two official transcripts sent from all colleges and universities attended.
• Two current letters of recommendation from individuals familiar with the applicant’s ability to successfully complete the graduate program.
• In addition to the graduate school requirements prospective students will be required to submit a written statement of career goals.
• Submission of a completed graduate admissions application with its $25 processing fee.
• International students take the TOEFL per country requirement and meet other criteria established by the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia (The minimum score is 60 and the average score is 88).
• All documents, including test scores, must be received in the Graduate Admissions Office at least 45 days prior to the desired semester of enrollment. Prospective applicants should contact the graduate recruitment and admissions officer in the Graduate School for more information.

• An undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited college or university with an undergraduate grade point average of at least 2.5 or better
• The MPA program at ASU does not require GRE or MAT scores for admission purposes.
• Two official transcripts sent from all colleges and universities attended.
• Two current letters of recommendation from individuals familiar with the applicant’s ability to successfully complete the graduate program. In addition to the graduate school requirements prospective students will be required to submit a written statement of career goals.
• Submission of a completed graduate admissions application with its $25 processing fee.
• International students take the TOEFL per country requirement and meet other criteria established by the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia (The minimum score is 60 and the average score is 88).
• All documents, including test scores, must be received in the Graduate Admissions Office at least 45 days prior to the desired semester of enrollment. Prospective applicants should contact the graduate recruitment and admissions officer in the Graduate School for more information.

• Submission of a completed graduate admissions application with its $25 processing fee.
• The MPA program only accepts non-degree admissions for qualified applicants who already hold a master’s degree who may be interested in taking MPA courses for their personal enrichment. No student will be allowed to take more than nine (9) hours in a non-degree status.