In addition to general online Master of Public Administration programs that focus on leadership within the field of public administration, students have the opportunity to select programs that offer concentrations or specializations in focused areas of study. Within the online MPA curriculum exists several concentration options, each with their own course requirements and prerequisites. These programs provide students the opportunity to tailor their graduate academic experience to align with their career goals and personal area of interest.
A typical curriculum for a specialized online MPA consists of core courses in leadership combined with curated elective courses. For example, students who hope to advance within a nonprofit organization or NGO might pursue a specialization in Nonprofit Administration while those interested in a career in public service or within the legal system might consider an MPA with a specialization in Criminal Justice. In addition to general MPA programs and MPA programs that offer distinct specializations, there are programs that allow students to combine electives from different specializations in order to create their own course of study.
One advantage of online programs is greater access to specialization options as students are not limited to only programs offered by local colleges and universities. Currently, OnlineMPAPrograms.com categorizes online MPA programs into 14 different specializations. To learn more about these specializations, including examples of concentration specific curricula, admissions requirements, and professional organizations in the field, and to find a comprehensive list of online programs offered by schools in the United States, check out the specialization pages below.
Online MPA with a Specialization in Criminal Justice
These programs prepare students for career advancement within state, local, or national law enforcement agencies by providing them with knowledge and skills in criminal justice theories and technologies. Students will learn how to evaluate criminal justice strategies, policies, and procedures to ascertain best practices.
Online MPA with a Specialization in Education Administration and Policy
These programs explore the frameworks that shape current educational policy at the local, state, and federal levels. Coursework highlights topics such as education reform, political and legal challenges in education, and research methods in education.
Online MPA with a Specialization in Emergency and Disaster Management
These programs offer students a high-level perspective of emergency planning and response. Learn how to minimize impacts on communities before, during, and after natural disasters and other threats on a local, national, and global scale.
Online MPA with a Specialization in Environmental Policy and Management
Combining environmental science with public administration, students learn to address complex environmental concerns while developing an in-depth understanding of government regulations and current policies. Coursework will focus on conservation, compliance, planning, sustainability management, and environmental policy.
Online MPA with a Specialization in Health Administration
These programs prepare students to face the complex challenges of working at all levels of the healthcare system. Coursework focuses on new developments in the field of health care, health-sector management, economics, legal and ethical issues in healthcare, and building in-depth expertise on healthcare policy and the politics of healthcare.
Online MPA with a Specialization in Homeland Security
These programs focus on how security specialists work to keep the U.S. safe from domestic and international threats and respond to both natural and man-made crisis situations. Coursework covers topics such as homeland security policy, intelligence analysis, border protection, cybersecurity, emergency management, and counterterrorism.
Online MPA with a Specialization in Human Resource Management
These programs instill students with the high-level human resource management skills required of leadership positions in today’s diverse workforce. Topics include human capital development, employee relations, workplace culture development, compensation, and benefit management.
Online MPA with a Specialization in International Administration and Global Policy
These programs focus on developing in-depth knowledge of global financial systems and public policy in developing nations. Coursework covers economics, development, policy, post-conflict recovery, sustainability, and planning.
Online MPA with a Specialization in Local Government Management
These programs cover the multiple facets of how cities, counties, and local government agencies operate in service of their citizens. Coursework covers topics such as community development, budgeting, intergovernmental relations, and emergency management.
Online MPA with a Specialization in Nonprofit Administration
These programs are designed to teach public administration professionals how to combine business knowledge with public policy expertise in order to lead non-profit organizations. Topics include fundraising, volunteer management, strategic planning, how to advocate for essential community resources, and more.
Online MPA with a Specialization in Public Financial Management
These programs focus on how public financial management and budgeting is integral to supporting the nation’s infrastructure. Coursework covers topics such as fundraising tactics, asset and investment management, risk assessment, and the role of financial management in governance.
Online MPA with a Specialization in Public Health
These programs focus on the administration of public and community health programs, as well as public health principles, and policies. Coursework covers topics such as management in the healthcare system, public health policy, health care disparities, healthcare ethics and law, the relationship between health and the environment, and disease research and prevention.
Online MPA with a Specialization in Public Management and Organizational Leadership
These programs are designed to build upon existing leadership and managerial skills, enhancing individual knowledge of current and historical industry trends within the field of public administration. Coursework focuses on public policy, research, law and ethics, personnel management, and budgeting and finance.
Online MPA with a Specialization in Public Policy
These programs focus on developing an in-depth understanding of the historical, economic, social, and political context surrounding U.S. and foreign policy and the challenges facing professionals in the field. Coursework covers the foundations of policy development at all levels of government.