The Evening Degree Program places special emphasis upon the development of managerial leadership. The seminars create a forum in which professionals can relate their workplace roles and challenges to the theories and skills examined in the M.P.A. curriculum. In an effort to foster a professional and academic support network among midcareer students, the seminar is open only to evening degree candidates. The first leadership seminar focuses upon the personal aspects of leadership. Students think through the dimensions of effective leadership and reflect upon how to integrate leadership skills into their lives and practice.
Special attention is given to the integration of values and vision into leadership style.
The second leadership seminar is a one-credit retreat taken in the winter quarter of the student's second year. Students explore the ways leaders use analysis to think through the implementation of vision and policy in management positions. The final leadership seminar, known as the capstone leadership seminar, is taken during a student's third year of study. This seminar replaces the degree project requirement of full-time day students. Led by faculty and local public and nonprofit executives, the seminar focuses upon the practice of effective leadership.