Dedicated to serving the public good, addressing the nation’s most challenging issues, and implementing solutions is at the core of what public service professionals strive to achieve. At present, the field of public administration is undergoing a noticeable evolution as the barriers between the public and private sector have begun to dissolve into a more collaborative landscape. Organizations in the public, nonprofit, and private sectors are sharing resources to better align with the needs of constituents in the hope of making a greater impact (Deloitte 2023).
Population size, age composition, and growth all impact the federal budget and the U.S. economy, and the public service industry is anticipated to undergo extensive growth within the next decade according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (bls.gov). This can be attributed to advancements in technology, the aging of the existing workforce, as well the need for more individuals to serve the country’s emergent population (the U.S. is expected to grow from 336 million to 373 million people by 2053). Professionals with a passion for public service and commitment to enacting change may find employment not only within all levels of government, but within the military, law enforcement agencies, nonprofit organizations, NGOs, and private sector firms.
According to bls.gov, nearly half of public policy and social service professionals have obtained an advanced degree, and those with experience in the public sector or an interest in serving their communities may benefit from pursuing a Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree. An MPA with an emphasis in Public Management and Organizational Leadership offers graduates a comprehensive understanding of trends and challenges within the field. In a general MPA program, or an MPA program with a general emphasis in public administration, students can typically hone their individual expertise through a more flexible curriculum designed to align with their personal and professional interests.
- Curriculum Details for MPA Programs in Public Management and Organizational Leadership
- Instruction Methods for Online MPA Programs
- Admissions Requirements for MPA Programs
- Accreditation for MPA Programs
- Public Administration Professional and Networking Organizations
- Comprehensive Directory of Online MPA Programs
Curriculum Details for Online MPA Programs in Public Management and Organizational Leadership
Integrating theoretical and practical instruction, online Master of Public Administration (MPA) programs with a general emphasis in Public Management and Organizational Leadership focus on examining current and historical trends within the industry, and refining leadership tactics and key management skills. The curriculum centers around core coursework designed to enhance students’ existing skills and knowledge in areas such as public administration theory, public policy, research and strategy, law and ethics, financial management and budgeting, personnel and organizational management, and communications. Students can expect to analyze case studies, engage in group discussions, and complete collaborative and independent assignments.
Once foundational coursework is complete, students who elect to pursue a General Public Administration curriculum will often work with an academic advisor to choose from approved elective courses that align with their specific areas of interest or professional goals. These electives may include classes from within a related discipline (e.g., government, public policy, etc.) or graduate courses in business. The majority of programs conclude with a Capstone seminar or Thesis course, where students are expected to demonstrate their mastery of the skills and knowledge acquired throughout the degree program.
Students interested in pursuing an online MPA with a General Public Administration curriculum can research programs that offer concentrations in:
- Administrative Management
- Organizational Leadership
- Public Administration (General)
- Public Leadership
- Public (Sector) Management
Outside of the classroom, hands-on experience is considered fundamental to the graduate education experience, allowing students to hone newly acquired skills, make connections within the community, and build new professional relationships. Universities often maintain relationships with local private, non-profit, and government organizations to connect their students with consulting and research opportunities. In addition, pre-service students, those without one or more years of relevant professional experience, may be required to complete a for-credit internship study. Students with significant professional experience can often obtain a waiver for this requirement.
Universities typically allow between five and seven years for an online MPA student to complete the required 33 to 54 graduate credit hours. Depending on the program, courses are typically two to four credit units and most programs require students to complete 10 to 13 courses to earn their degree. Students enrolled full-time can expect to fulfill degree requirements within 18 to 24 months, while part-time students typically take 24 to 36 months to earn their degree.
Note: Some schools do not offer distinct specializations or areas of focus/emphasis as part of their MPA programs. On OnlineMPAPrograms.com, these programs are classified as general online MPA programs.
Examples of Core Courses in Online MPA Programs
The core curriculum within an online MPA degree program is often consistent across most areas of concentration. These foundational courses establish a high-level perspective within the field of public administration and allow students to build on their existing expertise. The typical MPA program is comprised of between six and eight core courses. As class offerings vary depending on the college or university, the core courses outlined below should only be viewed as examples.
- Introduction to Public Administration: This course explores the fundamental principles, theories, and central concepts surrounding the field of public administration, and encourages students to discover connections between these foundational elements and their professional experience. Students study the relationships between government, private sector, and nonprofit agencies, factoring in political, social, and economic influence, as well as developing an understanding of the historical context surrounding current laws and policies.
- Applied Research Methods: Focusing on research methodology, design, and implementation, this course teaches students to critically analyze the research behind policy recommendations. Students gain an understanding of social science research theories, techniques, and statistical procedures; learning to assess validity and measure efficacy.
- Public Policy Analysis: This course studies the theories and principles surrounding policy development and application. Students focus on developing key skills used in the analysis of public policy, including understanding historical and political context, using professional judgement, and learning to analyze research to assess a prospective policy’s viability, identify problems within existing policies, make evidence-based recommendations, and communicate potential issues.
- Public Financial Management and Budgeting: This course examines the budgetary processes of government and nonprofit organizations and how professionals manage their allotted resources. By examining financial statements and applying budgeting tools to real-world scenarios, students develop an understanding of financial policies and learn key tools utilized in budget development, assessment, and implementation. Students also discuss topics including equity, transparency, accountability, and ethics as they relate to financial management.
- Executive Leadership and Organizational Theory: This course focuses on understanding organizational structure, how individuals impact organizational goals, and the complexities of leading a diverse workforce. Students engage in self-assessment exercises to determine areas of needed growth, and utilize key concepts within organizational theory to refine managerial abilities and develop problem-solving and leadership skills.
- Human Resource Management: This course focuses on the role of human resources within the public and nonprofit sector, discussing best practices in regards to diversity, labor relations, recruitment, personnel assessment, professional development, and compensation. Students learn how effective and efficient recruitment and employee management can impact organizational success.
- Ethics in Public Administration: This course examines ethical challenges within the industry as they relate to leadership and public service. Students explore ethical theories including utilitarianism, social constructivism, and deontology, discuss how these concepts apply to issues prevalent within today’s society, and how moral and ethical constructs impact decision-making.
2-Year Sample Curriculum Plan for an Online Master of Public Administration with a General Public Administration Focus
| Year 1 | Core Courses:
| Core Courses:
| Professional Internship Core Course:
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| Year 2 | Core Courses:
| Elective Courses:
| Capstone Seminar / Group or Independent Research Project |
Instruction Methods for Online MPA Programs
The curricula for online MPA programs typically adhere to the same rigorous guidelines as on-campus programs, with a shift in structure and format to allow for greater flexibility. Working professionals interested in pursuing an MPA while they continue to work full-time may benefit from the convenience of an online MPA program. In addition, as classes can be attended from virtually anywhere, online programs provide students without access to a physical university campus the ability to earn an MPA degree that aligns with their area of interest without having to relocate. Programs can often be completed entirely online, with limited or no on-campus requirements*.
Online MPA classes are usually constructed using one of two modes of instruction: synchronous (live) instruction or asynchronous (pre-recorded) instruction. Classes that utilize synchronous instruction, where lectures are attended in real-time at a predetermined date and time using video conferencing software, typically schedule lectures in the early mornings or in the evenings to accommodate students with full-time employment. Alternatively, programs may allow for students to access pre-recorded lectures and course materials on their own schedule (asynchronous instruction) while adhering to set due dates. Some programs allow students to choose whether to attend a lecture live or access the recording on their own time depending on their schedule.
Students whose schedules demand greater flexibility or who live in a different time zone than their chosen program may prefer programs that feature primarily asynchronous instruction. Conversely, students who prefer an online academic experience that more closely mirrors an on-campus program may opt for programs that utilize synchronous instruction.
Many online graduate programs also follow a cohort learning model, where students enroll in courses each semester with the same peer group. In addition to lectures and independent assignments, universities often utilize an online learning management platform such as Blackboard or Canvas to enable online students to engage in discussions with peers and faculty, upload assignments, and review course materials. Faculty who teach courses using asynchronous instruction may also hold virtual office hours to allow students to ask questions and receive feedback on assignments in real time. Through a school’s eLearning platform students can also access resources available to on-campus students such as university libraries, career centers, tutors, writing specialists, and technical support specialists. (Note: Students exploring online programs should inquire with program staff about the resources that are available to online students and how they compare to students enrolled in campus-based programs.)
Regardless of the format, online MPA programs are equally as challenging as their on-campus counterparts, and many programs utilize the same faculty in both their campus-based and online programs. In the absence of in-person lectures, students enrolled in online MPA programs often require an added level of accountability, self-discipline, and motivation to remain on track with readings and course assignments.
*All programs listed on OnlineMPAPrograms.com include three or fewer on-campus visits per year and the majority of programs can be completed entirely online. Prospective students should research any potential on-campus requirements prior to applying to an online program so that they understand if and when they might be required to travel to campus.
Admissions Requirements for Online MPA Programs
Admissions requirements to online MPA programs vary by program, but regardless of the university or college of interest, all require applicants to hold a minimum of a four-year bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. Some MPA programs with an emphasis in general public administration may prefer students hold a bachelor’s degree in a related field (e.g., political science, economics, business administration, sociology, etc.), but most accept applicants from all academic backgrounds. Applicants whose undergraduate coursework concentrated outside of the field of public administration or did not include courses in U.S. government, statistics, or micro and/or macroeconomics may be required to complete additional, often complimentary, prerequisite classes prior to beginning their formal graduate course of study. Some programs may also give preferential consideration to applicants whose resume shows significant professional experience within the field.
Additional application materials will depend on the individual program, and some MPA programs require additional materials beyond that of their university’s standard graduate application (e.g., statement of purpose or written answers to specific application questions). Other common application components include holding an undergraduate GPA of between 2.5 or 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, professional letters of recommendation, resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV), standardized test scores (e.g., GRE, GMAT, etc.), and/or a virtual interview. Prospective applicants should look into specific requirements for their programs of interest prior to applying. As the graduate admissions process can often be more involved than the undergraduate application experience, universities often have advisors on-hand to answer specific questions and to help applicants through the application process.
It is important to note that many online MPA programs use a selective admissions process, which means even if an applicant meets the minimum requirements for admission, they are not guaranteed to be accepted into the program. In some instances, programs may look for students whose credentials go beyond the minimum requirements for admission.
Accreditation for Online MPA Programs
The primary way for applicants to ensure that a school and/or program adheres to high academic standards is to look at accreditation status. Prospective students should look for programs within schools that have attained accreditation from a commission recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). This includes one of six regional accrediting bodies or the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC), which provides accreditation to online universities that do not have a physical campus. All schools found on OnlineMPAPrograms.com have been accredited by a CHEA-recognized entity.
Some online MPA programs may choose to attain additional programmatic accreditation from the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA). While optional, programmatic accreditation indicates that a program’s curriculum, faculty, and research opportunities have been reviewed by an independent third-party and adhere to NASPAA-specific academic criteria. In lieu of undergoing the formal accreditation process, some schools will align their curriculum with NASPAA’s mission and standards.
Prospective students interested in an MPA degree with a general emphasis in public administration and leadership should research a program’s core courses and elective offerings, as well as student services, research and networking opportunities, and faculty qualifications to ensure they choose a program that will best meet their academic and professional goals.
Public Administration Organizations and Networking Opportunities
Within the field of public administration are numerous organizations that enable students to expand their professional network and engage with others in the industry who share their interest and expertise. The organizations below conduct conferences, produce webinars, and host networking events on a national scale. Many also provide access to industry-specific publications that focus on trends and research in the field. At the collegiate level, individual universities often have local chapters of national groups, hosting local networking events where students earning their MPA can connect with peers, professionals, alumni, and faculty.
American Society for Public Administration (ASPA) – Drawing members from all areas of the field of public administration this group focuses on connecting individuals with differing specializations to develop innovative solutions to the challenges facing the public service profession. ASPA student memberships includes webinars, a student newsletter, scholarship programs, as well as research cohorts.
National Academy of Public Administration (NAPA) – A Congressionally-chartered nonprofit group that offers a number of advisory services to organizations at all levels of government. The organization also hosts expert-led forum discussions, panels, conferences, workshops, and seminars that provide an opportunity for experts within the field of public administration to ideate and collaborate in service of promoting best practices within the industry.
Alliance for Nonprofit Management (ANPM) – Formed through the merger of Support Centers of America and the Nonprofit Management Association, ANPM focuses on social change, promoting equity and inclusion within nonprofit organizations. Members take part in networking and professional development through national conferences, online continuing education resources, and group webinars.
Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management (APPAM): Focusing on research, analysis, and education, APPAM offers researchers, academics, and professionals within the field access to annual research conferences, peer journals, and online academic resources. Students may obtain a discounted membership that includes admittance to a series of student sessions during the organization’s Fall Research Conference as well as participation in a mentor matching program that pairs students with policy experts.
National Forum for Black Public Administrators (NFBPA): An independent nonprofit organization that connects public and private organizations and academic institutions with the common mission of supporting and providing mentorship to African-American public service professionals. The organization strives to advance black public leadership within state and local government.
Public Management Research Association (PMRA): This nonprofit academic membership association focuses on the study of public institutions, their management, and public policy. The group promotes multidisciplinary research on government and governance on an international scale, hosting an annual conference and as well as publishing multiple field journals including the Journal of Public Administration Research and Theory (JPART) and Perspectives on Public Management and Governance (PPMG).