Mini-MPA™

Designed for experienced managers from the public, private, and nonprofit sectors, CELG’s Mini-Master of Public Administration™ (Mini-MPA™) is an accelerated, 30-hour program led by Rutgers faculty and practitioners.

An examination of critically important topics for public managers provides participants with new skills, new ideas, and new ways of thinking about how they manage their office. Students engage in a program of immersion in issues that are critical to public administrators during these particularly hard economic times.

The format is designed to allow for maximum interaction between faculty and participants, with limited class sizes and weekly luncheon discussions.  

Want to learn more?  Read student feedback on the program.

Program Details

2013 Fall Mini-MPA™ - Registration now being accepted.  Classes are held Fridays, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Fall Curriculum:

October 4, Friday

Leadership and Intergovernmental Relations.  Leading is more than adapting your personal style. Managers must combine personal leadership and organizational leadership to accomplish goals in the public sector.  A leadership expert provides both theory and practical knowledge for managers who must lead in uncertain times, and pairs up with a very experienced public sector manager to help you develop skills for leading across organizational boundaries as well.

October 18, Friday

Communication and Public Law. If your program is fantastic and no one knows it exists, will it be effective? What do you need to know about administrative law to implement policy?  A communication expert provides expertise to help ratchet up your skills to sell yourself and promote your programs.  An experienced public lawyer discusses how administrative law impacts the practicing manager.  

October 25, Friday

Managing Public Organizations and People. The organization and the people in them will be examined, using case studies and simulations to explore how the design of public sector organizations and the actions of people within them determine how efficiently and effectively things get done. Two experienced and successful public managers will host these sessions.

November 1, Friday

Financial Management and Ethical Dilemmas.   Money and how it is spent – this is where you see the priorities of any group. A university professor who happens to be a financial wizard teams up with a very successful public sector manager to help you develop a better understanding of the complex relationships between finance and public management ethics

November 8, Friday

Performance Measurement and Constituent Communications.  One of the key skills for the executive is to be able to determine how the organization's goals will be conceptualized and what measurement systems will be used.  Combining performance measurement with skills for communicating to constituents ensures the public is kept informed of the organizations' progress.  This session is conducted by an academic who is recognized  for her research and experience in organizational design and a seasoned political strategist.  

Learn more about the core modules and the faculty.

Learn more from graduates of the program.

Fees and Registration

The fee for this program, including all materials - as well as breakfast and lunch, is $2,500.  Discount for two or more registrations from the same organization. Please email or fax the Registration form to ensure a seat in the program.

Recently dislocated workers may be eligible to receive Individual Training Account (ITA) grants. To determine eligibility, contact your local Workforce Investment Board or County One-Stop Center, and ask for the Mini-MPA™.

To register with a Purchase Order  please contact our registration team by phone for instructions:
Cathy Marshall 732-932-3640 x641  or email mini-mpa@docs.rutgers.edu  

Group discounts are available. Email mini-mpa@docs.rutgers.edu or call 732-932-6998, ext. 603, for more information.  

Enrollment Requirements and Credits

Participants should possess an undergraduate degree and/or have significant managerial experience in the public, private, or nonprofit sectors. 

Participants must complete all seminars to earn the Mini-MPA™ Certificate from Rutgers University. This Professional Certificate qualifies for 3.0 CEUs. Email celg@docs.rutgers.edu or call 732-932-6998, ext. 603, for more information.

ATTENTION MUNICIPAL CLERKS:  The IIMC Education Department has approved the Rutgers University Mini-MPA™
Program for 5 CMC Experience points or 5 MMC Advanced Education points.

Program Location

The Rutgers Center for Executive Leadership in Government is located at 303 George St., 6th Floor, in New Brunswick. The center’s state-of-the-art facilities are equipped with smart technology and video conferencing capabilities. View directions and maps.

Fall 2013 Program dates:  

Five Fridays: October 4, October 18, October 25, November 1, November 8