Online Master's in Public Administration (MPA): Finding Your School

An Overview of Online MPA Programs

Online MPA programs are designed to teach students skills and knowledge to become leaders of public organizations and government agencies. By the time you graduate, you should expect to gain proficiency in the following areas: creating administrative policies, understanding seminal public administration theories, developing budgets, and managing small, medium-sized, and large organizations.

MPA programs are especially convenient for working professionals because the curriculum doesn’t require in-person training. You can complete your MPA completely online and asynchronously.

However, it is important to check for accreditation. The Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA) is responsible for accrediting MPA programs, including those taught online. During the accreditation process, the organization reviews a self-report of schools’ curriculum, mission, and outcomes, as well as visits the campuses in order to verify the information provided.

Beyond NASPAA accreditation, students can search the U.S. Department of Education’s Database of Postsecondary Institutions and Programs to check a school’s accreditation status.

Addressing FAQs About Master Public Administration Degrees

How long does it take to earn a master’s in public administration online?

The exact amount of time it takes to complete an online master’s in public administration depends on the program students enroll in. However, generally MPAs can take around two to five years to complete, depending on the program and whether students enroll on a full- or part-time basis. The number of credits students must complete can also differ between schools. For example, the online MPA program at Excelsior College requires students to complete 30 credits, while the University of San Francisco requires 38 and the University of North Carolina has a 45-credit program.

How much does an online MPA degree cost?

It depends. Even though they are online, most MPA programs are residency dependent, so it will be more affordable to enroll in a program from an institution that is local to you. Apart from the tuition, there will also be fees and school material costs (i.e. books, software, laptops, etc.) In general, you should expect to pay anywhere from $10,000 to $30,000. For example, the total tuition for the online MPA program at Grand Canyon University is $22,420 while the total tuition at Arkansas State University is $12,240.

The most affordable MPA programs will be offered by public institutions and by institutions that award financial aid based on need or merit. If you work for an organization that would pay for your education, employment tuition reimbursement plans may be available to you. There are also public administration scholarships offered by private organizations like the Association of Professional Schools of International Affairs and the American Society for Public Administration.

What are the admissions requirements for online MPAs?

Admissions requirements for online MPA programs vary from one school to another, but generally, applicants are expected to meet the following criteria for acceptance:

• A minimum 3.0 grade point average
• Letters of recommendation
• Resume
• A high score on the GRE
• Statement of purpose explaining why they are interested in enrolling in an MPA program
• Meeting with a representative from the MPA department

Is it possible to enroll in an online MPA without taking the GRE?

Yes. Although many schools require that applicants earn a certain score on the GRE to gain admission, more and more MPA programs are waiving this requirement because the test is not necessarily a predictor of how successful an applicant will be. Instead, these schools are relying on other factors, like grade point average and professional experience, in order to make their admissions decisions. Alternatively, some MPA programs may allow you to submit a GMAT score instead of a GRE.

Will I learn the same skills in an online MPA as an on-campus program?

Although some prospective MPA students may be reluctant to enroll in an online program because they’re concerned about quality, they can rest assured that they will receive the same high-caliber education that their on-campus counterparts do. In many cases, online programs feature the same curriculum as the traditional versions, so as long as distance students keep up with their work, they will reap the same benefits as other students.

Concentrations & Specializations Available for Online MPA Degrees

Many students decide to earn an MPA with a specific career path in mind, and in order to help them achieve these goals, online programs may offer concentrations that allow them to gain relevant expertise. The following are examples of some of the areas that students can focus their studies on.

Health Services Administration

Those who are interested in a career in health services organizations or public health agencies can enroll in this concentration in order to learn how to plan, organize, and manage health-related programs. Specific coursework may cover health care law and ethics, strategic communication methods, finance and budgeting, and leadership skills.

Human Rights and Humanitarian Policy

This concentration is for students who are interested in human rights issues in the government, as well as in private companies and nonprofit organizations. Students who choose this area take classes about humanitarian policies, human rights advocacy, the politics of reconciliation, and genocide prevention.

International Relations

Students who are interested in applying their skills to helping the global community can enroll in this concentration to learn how public administration principles are applied on an international scale. The specific classes may cover national security, foreign policy, intercultural communication, and diplomacy.

Local Government

This specialization provides a look at what it’s like to work in local government administration. Students may learn about parks and recreation management, urban planning, waste management, and budgeting.

Nonprofit Management

Although general leadership skills can be applied in the public and private sectors, managing a nonprofit organization comes with its own set of unique challenges. Students in this specialization learn how to tackle these challenges through classes in effective nonprofit leadership, government regulations for nonprofit organizations, and grant writing.

Expected Curriculum for Online MPA Programs

No matter what area students choose to specialize in, the core curriculum in online MPA degree programs is designed to give them the leadership and analytical skills they need to tackle organizational and policy issues. The following are examples of classes students can expect to take during their degree program.

Arts Administration

Students learn about how arts and cultural administration work in nonprofit organizations, as well as government agencies. Specific topics may include the history of arts and cultural administration, and how the arts affect the economy and the people who consume them. In addition, there is a discussion of the different types of arts and cultural organizations and how they are managed.

Budgeting

This course provides a look at how budgeting is handled in government agencies on the local, state, and federal level, as well as in nonprofit organizations. Topics may include debt management, cost-benefit analysis, tax policy, and expenditures.

Leadership and Ethics

Discusses the relationship between ethics and good governance, and the consequences leaders face when they go against these principles and behave in a corrupt manner. In order to illustrate the concepts taught in class, students may be required to read case studies that outline examples of good ethical leadership, as well as ethical failures.

Project Management

Students learn the fundamental concepts of how projects are managed, including determining project scope, time management, project design, and the different roles that workers take during the length of a project. Also, the course helps students understand how these ideas are applied in private companies, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations.

Public Administration Research Methods

Introduces the different ways research is conducted and how studies are designed and executed, as well as how results are written up and presented. Students may learn about the principles of quantitative and qualitative research methods, and the computer programs that are used to compile and analyze data.

Salary and Job Prospects for MPA Holders

Fundraising Manager

Fundraising managers are responsible for overseeing an organization’s fundraising efforts. They manage the recruitment and training of volunteers, provide information to the public about the organization’s mission and activities, and supervise the work of fundraisers on staff. The job is projected to grow by 7 percent from 2023 to 2033 and the expected median annual pay is $130,480.

Human Resource Managers

Human resources managers play a vital role in ensuring that organizations, whether nonprofit, private, or government, have the right employees for their needs. They manage the recruitment, hiring, and training processes of new employees, while also creating and managing benefits and compensation packages. Additionally, the median pay as of 2023 was $136,350 per year. Even better is that the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 6 percent employment growth for this career, which is faster than average.

Public Relations Specialists

Whether you work for the government or for a corporation, your MPA degree could prepare you to become a public relations specialist for various organizations. Public affairs directors are responsible for ensuring that their organization or agency has a positive public perception. In order to do this, public affairs directors grant interviews to reporters, write press releases, and participate in fundraising events. People in this profession make around $66,750, as of 2023, and the career is projected to grow by 6 percent.

Evaluating the Best MPA Programs for Online Students

To identify the most suitable online MPA program for your needs, it is essential to consider various factors, including total cost, available concentrations, program format and duration, and admissions requirements. To assist you in finding a program that will provide the greatest return on your investment, we have created the following rankings, which provide information on the best online MPA programs available throughout the country. For more information on the ranking methodology STEPS uses, visit the “About the Ranking” pop-up below.