April 24, 2019

Onsite Master of Arts in Leadership and Public Administration Program open to public employees working for Mount Olive and other governmental employers

HACKETTSTOWN, N.J., April 24, 2019—Centenary University will offer an accelerated Master of Arts in Leadership and Public Administration (MLPA) in cooperation with Mount Olive’s mayor and township council especially for the municipality’s employees beginning this fall.

The accelerated degree provides several important benefits for Mount Olive Township employees, including classes being held at the township’s municipal complex during the workday—making graduate studies convenient for busy professionals. The program is also open to those working for other governmental employers, so all students will learn in an environment alongside peers with similar professional backgrounds. Centenary University offers a 30 percent tuition reduction for all full-time federal, state, and local employees, including retirees.

“This is an important investment we’re making in our employees,” said Mayor Robert Greenbaum, who recently proposed the idea for the onsite degree to Centenary officials. “Centenary University’s MLPA degree is a well-respected program known for developing strong leadership skills and advancing careers. However, the real winners will be Mount Olive residents, who will benefit from a more skilled and knowledgeable municipal workforce.”

Courses at the Mount Olive Township Municipal Complex will be presented in a blended format incorporating in-class and online learning. To earn the MLPA, students will take two simultaneous 15-week courses, followed by eight courses lasting eight weeks each, which facilitates completing this degree in less than 24 months. Additionally, students who have earned their certified public manager (CPM) credentials receive six transfer credits, and will complete the degree after eight courses.

The MLPA degree provides public and nonprofit sector employees with the leadership and management skills to advance into supervisory roles, according to Jeffrey Carter, Ph.D., graduate program director for leadership and public administration, who is also a certified public manager.

“The program emphasizes the understanding of quality leadership skills, the interaction of public offices and agencies, and individual development of actual leadership abilities,” Dr. Carter said. “Centenary University’s graduates are known for outstanding leadership on the local, state, and federal levels, as well as in non-governmental agencies. This cooperative venture with Mount Olive’s governing body will also allow CPMs to advance their knowledge of governmental operations to better serve their constituencies.”

For more information about the accelerated MLPA degree in Mount Olive, contact Centenary University’s Associate Director for Graduate Programs Jenna Racioppi, 908-852-1400, ext. 2074 or Jenna.Racioppi@centenaryuniversity.edu.

ABOUT CENTENARY UNIVERSITY

Founded in 1867 by the Newark Conference of the United Methodist Church, Centenary University’s academic program integrates a solid liberal arts foundation with a strong career orientation. This mix provides an educational experience that prepares students to succeed in the increasingly global and interdependent world. The University’s main campus is located in Hackettstown, N.J., with its equestrian facility in Washington Township. The Centenary University School of Professional Studies offers degree programs at two locations, Parsippany and Edison, as well as online and at corporate sites throughout New Jersey.