Master of Public Administration (M.P.A.)

Program Description

The Master of Public Administration program is an online degree program designed to empower those seeking a career in public service as well as those already employed who desire to enhance their current career trajectory. The program prepares professionals for work in government at the local, state, or national level as well as nonprofit organizations. Those in the private sector may also find the curriculum valuable.

The MPA degree requires a total of 36 hours of coursework:

• 24 hours of core coursework taken by all students
• 12 hours of coursework in a concentration selected by the student in consultation with a graduate advisor

Prior to graduation, all students must complete and pass comprehensive exams, which encompass key learning objectives from the core coursework. Students are expected to complete all their core coursework prior to taking comprehensive exams. Students with one core course remaining may take comprehensive exams, with the approval of the graduate director. Comprehensive exams are administered during the fall, spring, and summer semesters. Students must be enrolled in the university the semester or summer session in which the comprehensive exams are administered. 

Admissions

Applications to the online Master of Public Administration (MPA) Program are reviewed on a rolling basis, with application deadlines of: August 1^st for the fall semester; December 1^st for the spring semester; and May 15^th for the summer semester. The MPA Program’s admission considerations include the following:

1. Graduate Admissions Application
2. Application Fee
3. Official transcript from an accredited baccalaureate degree granting institution
4. Official transcripts of all college-level coursework
5. A current resume or curriculum vitae
6. A writing sample of scholarly or professional work
7. A statement of interest that summarizes the applicant’s professional goals, how an MPA degree will help the applicant obtain their professional goals, and how the applicant’s personal and professional experiences have prepared them for the MPA program. The statement should be no more than two single-spaced pages
8. Two letters of recommendation letters that discuss the applicant’s suitability for graduate study
9. Applicants who do not possess a graduate degree from an accredited institution, are expected to have earned a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 from the accredited institution granting the undergraduate degree.  
10. Applicants who do not possess a graduate degree and have an undergraduate GPA below 3.0 will be asked to submit official GRE scores and participate in a personal interview designed to guage the applicant’s readiness for graduate studies.

Applicants must submit all application materials directly to the Office of Graduate Studies by the relevant deadline A holistic review of each applicant’s file will then be completed, with admission to the MPA Program offered to applicants on a competitive basis.

Degree Requirements

Areas of Concentration

A concentration of 12 hours is required with this degree. The department offers concentrations in disaster and emergency management.  A student may, with the permission of the graduate director, pursue a concentration in other disciplines deemed more relevant to the student’s professional goals

Degree Plans