Vision Statement:
The Rutgers–Camden MPA program will provide students with the opportunity to expand their understanding of the world while preparing them for public service careers in government and non-profit organizations close to home or abroad.
Mission Statement:
The Rutgers-Camden MPA program is committed to preparing our graduates to think critically, serve and lead with empathy and understanding, and promote a democratic way of life through civic engagement. As a critical component of a public research university, Rutgers–Camden provides pre-service and in-service students opportunities to learn by applying theory and practice to real world governance challenges facing Camden, the greater South Jersey/Philadelphia region, and the world. We provide our students opportunities to participate in community outreach and conduct research particularly through the Senator Walter Rand Institute for Public Affairs, the Community Leadership Center, the Center for Urban Research and Education, and the Office of Civic Engagement.
Core Values:
Public Service Values, a key component of our organizational culture, involve working cooperatively for the public good and demonstrating integrity and professional ethics in handling a diverse array of issues and demands. Students in the RU-Camden MPA will understand and incorporate these values in their professional activities through their attitudes, behaviors, and skills. Thus our graduates will help promote public trust and confidence in government. We place particular emphasis on the following values that are key to a democratic way of life:
- Justice: fair treatment and effective promotion and practice of social and economic justice.
- Equality: equal rights under the law and equal opportunity for political participation and economic welfare for all people.
- Diversity: representation and inclusion of diverse people, ideas, perspectives and cultures.
- Equity: commitment to and intentional practice of social equity to effectively serve and respond to the needs of all people.
- Transparency: information available and accessible that allows outside actors to monitor and hold the organization accountable.
Through coursework and upon graduating the program, all students should have achieve the Universal (core) Competencies established by NASPAA and be able to effectively:
- Lead and manage in public governance;
- Participate in and contribute to the policy process;
- Analyze, synthesize, think critically, solve problems and make decisions;
- Articulate and apply a public service perspective;
- Communicate and interact productively with a diverse and changing workforce and citizenry.