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Online Master of Public Administration Degree

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Earn Your Degree as Early as:
Admissions Requirements
Courses
Ways to Save on Tuition
Career Outcomes
9
Total Courses
$420
Cost per Credit
1 year
Average Completion*
15 Hours/Week
Course Effort

Master of Public Administration (MPA) Overview

Demand for social and community service managers is growing fast. It’s time to earn your MPA and get ready move into leadership roles in fields such as government, public safety, security and protection, and emergency management.

  • Develop the high-level knowledge necessary to evaluate, implement, and manage policy, and make ethical and effective decisions in the interest of the public.
  • Earn your MPA degree 100% online, while meeting the demands of your career.
  • Build expertise in public administration and management, budgeting and the administration of public funds, strategic planning, and human resource management.
  • Become a leader who can drive impact, strengthen communities, and make tough decisions that create public value in diverse and dynamic situations.

Program Outcomes

  • Innovate to address issues and opportunities in the public sector.
  • Understand the social and ethical implications of decisions made in the public interest.
  • Assess current knowledge, trends, and theories in public administration and service.
  • Employ financial knowledge to make sound and ethical decisions.
  • Consider cultural, individual, and role differences of constituents and stakeholders.
  • Use principles of leadership to shape change and improve the governance and management of public policy.

Review College Scorecard data for this program.

View Program Degree Plan and Policies

See Notes and Conditions below for important information.

Expert Faculty. Quality Education.

Learn from faculty with real-world experience in the field. Master the latest skills and practices through a curriculum that is reviewed and updated by leading and experienced professionals.

Purdue Global Is Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission

The HLC (HLCommission.org) is an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Calculate Your Time and Cost

Estimate how much your prior learning credits can reduce your tuition and time to graduation.

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Admissions Requirements

You must be a high school graduate or possess a General Educational Development (GED) certificate or other equivalency diploma. You must also complete orientation before you start classes. Refer to the University Catalog or speak to an Advisor to learn more.

View Admissions Requirements

What Courses Will I Take?

The Master of Public Administration focuses on the in-depth leadership knowledge and skills for today's public sector. You'll have the opportunity to explore topics such as ethical decision-making, finance, and diversity.

Sample Courses

  • Public Administration and Management
  • Leadership in the Public Sector
  • Finance and the Administration of Public Funds
  • Human Resource Management in the Public Sector
See All Public Administration Graduate Courses

Program Requirements

9
Core Courses
9
Total Courses
45
Total Quarter Credits

1 semester credit hour = 1.5 quarter credit hours

Upcoming Start Dates

We offer multiple start dates to give you flexibility in your education, life, and work schedules.

Opportunities for Professional Development

Online discussion boards allow you to engage with students from around the country and learn from their experiences.

You can also take advantage of the Graduate Resource Center, a self-paced course that includes information on professional memberships and clubs, career services, social networking, and more.

Take a Career Assessment

Discover your work interests and use them to chart your ideal career path.

Ways to Save on Time and Tuition

Purdue Global works with students to find ways to reduce costs and make education more accessible. Contact us to learn about opportunities to save on your educational costs.

Transfer Credits

Earn credit for prior coursework completed at eligible institutions.

Financial Aid

Learn about federal financial aid programs available for many of our degree programs.

Grants and Loans

Learn about federal and state grants and loan programs that may be available.

Corporate Partner Benefits

Employees of Purdue Global partner organizations may be eligible for special tuition reductions.

Military Tuition Reduction

Graduate tuition savings for military include a 17–30% reduction per credit for current servicemembers and, 14% per credit for veterans for graduate programs.

Prior Military Experience

Earn credit for your military training. We offer credit for ACE-evaluated training and CLEP and DANTES examinations.

View the total cost of attendance for your program.

Career Opportunities

Qualified and educated administrators are expected to remain in demand across the public sector. When you graduate with a master's in public administration you may qualify to serve in a variety of leadership roles in areas such as the executive arm of local, state/provincial, and federal/national government; nongovernmental organizations; public sector organizations; and nonprofit and volunteer sectors.

Average Salary

Range

General labor market and salary data are provided by Lightcast and may not represent the outcomes experienced by Purdue Global graduates in these programs. Purdue Global graduates in these programs may earn salaries substantially different or less than the amounts listed above. Salary and employment outcomes vary by geographic area, previous work experience, education, and opportunities for employment that are outside of Purdue Global's control.

Purdue Global does not guarantee employment placement, salary level, or career advancement.

Earn a Law Degree 1 Year Sooner

Upon graduating, you can apply some of your courses toward an Executive Juris Doctor (EJD) degree at Purdue Global Law School. Save up to $7,848 in tuition and graduate a year sooner. You could earn both a master’s and EJD degree in as few as 4 years. See which courses transfer.

Unlike the JD, which prepares you to sit for the bar exam and practice law, the online EJD is designed to help you build legal expertise to use in your career.

Learn More

Download the Program Brochure

Download our brochure to learn more about the Online Master of Public Administration and the benefits of earning your degree at Purdue Global.

Prepare yourself for success with a master’s degree in public administration.

View Brochure

See Notes and Conditions below for important information.

Get to Know Our Faculty

Purdue Global faculty members are real-world practitioners who bring knowledge gained through the powerful combination of higher learning and industry experience.

99%

Faculty members who have advanced degrees

54%

Faculty members who hold a doctorate

484

Faculty publications in 2022–2023

More Than 40,000

Professional development hours logged by faculty in 2022–2023

Statistics include all Purdue Global faculty members and are not school- or program-specific calculations. Source: Purdue Global Office of Reporting and Analysis, July 2023. 2022–2023 academic year.

Your Path to Success Begins Here

Connect with an Advisor to explore program requirements, curriculum, credit for prior learning process, and financial aid options.

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NOTES AND CONDITIONS

*Estimated Graduation Date and Average Completion: Estimated graduation date is based on the assumption that you will enroll in time to begin classes on the next upcoming start date, will remain enrolled for each consecutive term, and will maintain satisfactory academic standing in each term to progress toward completion of your program. Completion time is based on a full-time schedule. Programs will take longer for part-time students to complete.

100% Online: Some Purdue Global programs are not 100% online; some programs require you to gain hands-on experience in a real-world work environment. Contact an Admissions Advisor for additional information.

Purdue Global Law School EJD Degree – MPA: Purdue Global alumni are eligible for a 20% tuition reduction on Purdue Global Law School programs. Tuition savings calculated as 21 credit hours x reduced per credit tuition rate of $436 = $7,848. Savings will vary based on the courses completed in the student’s master’s degree program. Credits apply toward open elective and/or specialty electives in the EJD program.

Time savings based on a student who applies 21 credit hours toward the 3-year EJD program; remaining 54 credits can be completed in 2 years of study. MPA can be completed in 1.5 years of study when adhering to the recommended course-load each term, taking courses in sequence, and without interruptions such as a leave of absence.

Social and Community Service Job Growth: Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Social and Community Service Managers, www.bls.gov/ooh/management/social-and-community-service-managers.htm. National long-term projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions, and do not guarantee actual job growth.