Master of Public Administration (Course Work)

“For Change makers in Government, Industry & Beyond”

Coursework Mode

INTRODUCTION
Governance is everyone’s business.

The MPA is designed for:

• 🌐 Public servants driving national development
• 💼 Private sector professionals navigating policy landscapes
• 🎓 Full-time students aiming to lead with purpose and impact

Whether you're enhancing your current career or launching a new one, the MPA opens doors to understand, influence, and lead in today's complex world.

PROGRAM OBJECTIVES
Equipping future leaders across all sectors.

✅ Understand how governance and administration shape outcomes in public and private realms
✅ Explore innovative ways to improve government and institutional performance
✅ Sharpen research and analytical skills for bold, evidence-based decision-making
✅ Inspire public-minded leadership that transcends silos and fosters collaboration

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Qualifications (any of the below):

I. Bachelor degree
A) CGPA of at least 2.75/4.00; or
B) CGPA of 2.50 - 2.74/4.00 with; or

• Research experience – 1 year; or
• Professional experience in related field- 1 year; or
• One(1) academic publication in related field; or
• Grade B for major/ elective courses; or
• Grade B+ for final year project.

C) CGPA of 2.00 - 2.49/4.00 (Honours degree) with; or

• Research experience - 5 years; or
• Professional experience in related field - 5 years, AND
• One (1) academic publications  in related field; or
• Grade B for major/elective courses; or
• Grade B+ for final year project.

II.    APEL A Certificate (APEL T-7)
http://www2.mqa.gov.my/APEL/ 

For non-CGPA qualifications, please refer to IPS for confirmation.

ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS

The minimum score for each programme can be vary from the below list, candidates are required to check for each programme requirements.

• A minimum of Band 5 for IELTS; or
• A minimum score of 40 for TOEFL (Internet-based); or
• A minimum of Band 7.5 for TOEFL Essentials (Online); or
• A minimum score of 154 for Cambridge English: Advance (CAE)/Proficiency (CPE) /Preliminary (PET) /First (FCE)/ Linguaskill Online; or
• A minimum score of 47 for Pearson Test of English (PTE); or
• A minimum of Band 107 for CIEP Level (ELS); or
• A minimum of Band 3.5 for Malaysian University English Test (MUET)

Exemption CAN BE CONSIDERED to candidate if:

• English is the candidate’s mother tongue or National Language; or
• Candidate graduated from an Institution of Higher Learning in which the medium of instruction at Bachelor and/or Master degree level is English (statement of proof required)

*For Further information please go to IPSUSM*

MPA PROGRAM STRUCTURE

The program is offered through coursework in USM@Kuala Lumpur and USM Penang.

• Full-time: 3 semesters (1 years)
• Part-time: 6 semesters (2 years)

Class in USM@KL will be held during weekend (Saturday & Sunday): Class in Penang (Weekdays- after working hours)

STUDENT ACTIVITY – THE MPA CLUB

Activities organized and conducted by students are integral to the success of a graduate program of this nature. This program aims to bring together students from various academic disciplines, careers and experiences into a common enterprise to foster exchanges in knowledge and experiences between them. One way to achieve this, and to encourage a sense of community among all participants, is the formation of an MPA club as part of the program. Students themselves with advice from one of the core faculty members manage the Club. It organizes related activities, for example, field trips, guest lectures, annual dinner-talks, and recreational activities, to encourage interaction among students and between students and faculty during the duration of the program and after graduation. The Club has its annual general meeting to elect a management committee in the third week of the first semester.