Welcome from the MPA Program Director
Debra Mesch, Ph.D, Director of Public Affairs
Thank you for your interest in our MPA program at SPEA IUPUI!
As program director of the MPA at IUPUI, I would like to welcome you to our website and hope that you take the opportunity to explore the information we have provided. The mission of the MPA on the Indianapolis campus is to prepare students for leadership positions in the public and nonprofit sectors. Our program is distinctive in that we deliver an interdisciplinary education that emphasizes professional practice throughout the curriculum. This means that most courses in our program allow students to apply the knowledge learned in class to an actual organization. Our interdisciplinary, practice-based program prepares students for careers in government agencies and nonprofit organizations, as well as for positions addressing public affairs in the private sector.
We offer a wide range of concentrations within the MPA-including nonprofit management, criminal justice, public management, environmental management, and policy analysis. These courses provide students with a strong background in the knowledge and skills that you will need to be a leader in your field. We also offer students opportunities to work within our research centers on the IUPUI campus-our Center for Urban Policy and the Environment and the internationally known Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University.
A great strength of our program is our faculty. Student learning is enhanced by a core group of full-time faculty with extensive academic and management experience, supported by an impressive cadre of associate faculty who bring significant experience to their specific areas within public affairs. Our faculty are actively engaged in applied research-both in our research centers as well as individually. Many of our students are actively engaged in these projects as well.
The MPA program, through its faculty, has established a network of linkages to the public and nonprofit community. Indianapolis is the 12th largest city in the U.S. and is the center for Indiana state government. Many nonprofit agencies, foundations, and consulting firms have their headquarters in Indianapolis and can provide you with outstanding opportunities for internships, jobs, and professional networking.
We encourage you to learn more about our MPA in Indianapolis. Our faculty and staff are here to help answer your questions and assist with the application process. We look forward to meeting you and welcoming you into the SPEA community.
Debra Mesch, Ph.D
Director, Public Affairs