The Master of Public Financial Management (MPFM) program offers a professional graduate degree that prepares students for careers as professionals in public and non-profit sectors. The program is offered 100% online in an asynchronistic format. The MPFM is designed for students with interests in public financial management, public sector accounting and auditing and other unique aspects of public finance. Students enter the program with diverse academic backgrounds and career goals. Courses are offered in 8-week and 4-week sessions. Students enroll in one course at time and may complete the 36-credit program in two years. The course format and schedule allows working students and those juggling other responsibilities to complete the MPFM in an timely manner.
Admission Requirements
The MPFM application requires 1) a one to three page personal statement explaining interest in the MPFM degree, 2) resume or CV, 3) official transcripts from each post-secondary institution attended, and 4) two letters of recommendation. Applicants are encouraged to have had either an undergraduate course or work experience in accounting prior to admission however it is not a requirement for admission. As an online program, admission includes in-state tuition independent of the student’s state of residency. International students also need English Language test scores. Deadlines for the program are the same as the Graduate School admission deadlines. Applications are accepted to the program in the Fall and Spring semesters. Applicants must meet all requirements as defined by the Graduate School including a minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.75. Competitive admission is based on a consideration of the documents listed above including work experience. The final selection of students for admission will be subject to the discretion of the admissions committee of the program.
Degree Requirements
Total credit hours: 36 credit hours
Core Requirements
All students must take the 3-hour capstone class and successfully complete and defend a capstone project developed in that class. The purpose of the course and the project is to integrate the learning experience within the MPFM program and apply knowledge and skills acquired in the program to a policy issue. The presentation of the Capstone project serves as the final Masters exam.
Courses in the MPFM program focus on many aspects of public financial management and are offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters. The following shows the recommended sequence of course offerings by semester. Students may start the MPFM program in either the Fall or Spring semesters however Spring admission requires minor adjustments to the course sequence shown below. Courses are 8-week sessions unless otherwise indicated. Students may on a limited basis with approval of the Director of Graduate Studies substitute a course if necessary due to scheduling conflicts or other reasons. Note: The first 4 courses listed below comprise a Graduate Certificate Program that may be taken independently of the full MPFM.
Fall Year 1
Spring Year 1
Summer Year 1
Fall Year 2
Spring Year 2
Summer Year 2
For more information, please visit the University of Kentucky Martin School website.