Political Science - News and Events

Starting Fall 2022, the Potter College of Arts and Letters (PCAL) at WKU will offer the Local Government Employee Discount Program to Barren River Area Development District (BRADD) employees.

Representatives from PCAL and BRADD met on Wednesday, July 27th, to sign the agreement at the BRADD headquarters.

With this program, eligible local government employees will be offered a discounted tuition rate of $500 per credit hour for courses offered by the Department of Political Science’s Master of Public Administration (MPA) program and graduate certificate in Local Government Administration. This program will be offered until June 30, 2025.

“The impact of local government is essential in progressing the lives of its citizens,” says PCAL Dean, Dr. Terrance Brown. “PCAL is delighted to partner with BRADD to provide enhanced, graduate-level training for its employees through the Master of Public Administration program and graduate certificate in Local Government Administration.”

All full-time employees of BRADD and their member organizations are eligible for the discount program. This includes employees for all city and county governments located within BRADD’s 10 county service area including the City of Bowling Green and Warren County. Those interested will need to apply to the WKU Graduate School and be accepted into either the MPA program or the graduate certificate program. A signed verification of full-time employment is also required.

The Master of Public Administration (MPA) is the primary professional degree in both the public and nonprofit sectors. WKU's MPA program prepares graduate students from diverse backgrounds to be productive leaders and managers in the public service by sharing practical and theoretical knowledge, encouraging excellence in both research and practice, along with fostering an environment of professionalism. Upon graduation from the program, students will have the skills necessary to lead and engage with a wide range of public organizations, programs, and policy areas.

The graduate certificate in Local Government Administration will help develop skills and knowledge needed to increase the effectiveness of local governments. The two (2) required courses rely on a foundation of Public Administrative theory relevant to the current issues and skills necessary for effective and responsible local government administration. In addition to the two (2) required courses, the program allows students to choose two (2) elective courses from a selection of courses for a total of 12 credit hours.

“It is our hope that local government employees will take advantage of this discount to enhance their professional development,” says Dr. Scott Lasley, Department Chair of Political Science. “It should not only benefit employees who participate, but also enrich the quality of local government.”

To learn more about the MPA program and graduate certificate, please visit the Department of Political Science website at https://www.wku.edu/political-science/index.php. If you have any questions, please contact MPA@wku.edu or PoliSci@wku.edu.