In Colorado, five universities currently offer online Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree programs that can be completed 100% online or with limited on-campus requirements. The five institutions include: Adams State University, Colorado Christian University, Colorado State University, the University of Colorado Denver, and the University of Colorado Colorado Springs. Collectively, these schools have a range of specializations for students to choose from, with concentrations in areas such as Public Management, Emergency Management, Education Policy, Environmental Policy, Nonprofit Management, Public Policy, and International Policy and Management.
All four schools, public and private, are regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). Learn more about the programs offered by each university below.
Schools in Colorado with Online MPA Programs
Adams State University’s Department of History, Anthropology, Philosophy, Political Science offers an online MPA degree that combines skill-based coursework with practical experience working with a variety of public agencies. Two traditional public administration courses and a practicum course are offered each semester. Practicum courses focus on projects and activities that address real scenarios within a professional setting. In addition to core and practicum courses, students complete 15 hours of elective coursework. The program follows a cohort learning model, and students enrolled full-time can complete the 36 hours of graduate coursework in two years.
Adams State University uses the Blackboard online learning management platform. Classes typically use asynchronous instruction to allow students to access lectures and course materials on their own schedule. At the beginning of their studies, students are assigned a program advisor to assist with course planning.
Colorado Christian University (CCU) offers an online MPA program through the College of Adult and Graduate Studies. The university takes a Christian faith-centered approach to the study of public administration and public policy, combining both theoretical and practical instruction. Graduate students are expected to complete 12 courses, enrolling in one course at a time. Each course is conducted over a five-week period, and students enrolled full-time can graduate in 15 months. Those who require additional time are given up to four years to fulfill degree requirements. Prior to enrollment, all students are expected to complete a prerequisite course in Statistics.
CCU conducts its online courses through the Brightspace cloud-based learning management system, where students can watch lectures, submit weekly assignments, take exams, and participate in group discussions. Courses are designed using asynchronous instruction, where students access lectures and course materials on their own time.
Colorado State University’s (CSU) College of Liberal Arts offers an online Master of Public Policy and Administration (MPPA) degree program. The program consists of 39 graduate credit hours of study, including 21 credit hours of core courses, 12 credit hours of specialization courses, an internship, and a capstone project. The interdisciplinary curriculum combines research-based academic theory with real-world application, utilizing applied case studies, group discussions, and service-learning to hone research, analytical, and critical thinking skills. Coursework covers topics including public budgeting and finance, policy process theory, civic engagement, program evaluation, and more. Students may specialize their elective coursework in one of the following areas: Public Management, Public Policy, or International Policy and Management. Degree requirements can be fulfilled in two years.
CSU uses the learning management system Canvas to conduct its online MPPA program. Classes are taught via asynchronous instruction, as students are expected to watch lectures and presentations, access course materials, and complete assignments and group projects on their own schedule. Online students have access to university-based resources such as online tutoring, consultations with the Writing Center, library services, and academic advising.
University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS) MPA is conducted fully online through its College of Public Service, and has received additional programmatic accreditation through the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA). The curriculum requires the completion of 36 to 39 graduate credit hours, including 18 core credit hours and 15 elective credit hours. Pre-service students, those with less than one year of relevant professional experience, are required to complete an additional three-credit internship within a public or nonprofit agency. The program culminates with the completion of either a three-credit capstone seminar or master’s thesis. A student enrolled full-time can expect to complete their degree within 18 months. While the university allows up to six years to fulfill degree requirements, most students graduate within three years.
In conjunction with UCCS’s online MPA program students can elect to pursue a Certificate in one of five subject areas within the field of public administration: Criminal Justice; Grant Writing, Management & Program Evaluation; Homeland Security & Emergency Management Leadership; National Security Intelligence; Nonprofit Management; and Public Management. Certificate courses completed with a grade of B- or better can fulfill MPA degree elective requirements. UCCS conducts its online programs utilizing asynchronous instruction via the Canvas learning management system.
University of Colorado Denver (CU Denver) offers two online MPA programs through its School of Public Affairs. The first is a traditional MPA program with the option of following a General Public Administration curriculum or specializing in one of the following nine areas: Disasters, Hazards and Emergency Management (DHEM); Education Policy; Emergency Management and Homeland Security (EMHS); Environmental Policy and Management; Gender-Based Violence; Local Government; Managing for Social Equity; Nonprofit Management; and Public Policy Analysis. The curriculum consists of 12 courses, including six core courses, five elective courses, and a final capstone course. Students interested in conducting in-depth research in a specific area or students who are looking to pursue a career in academia may opt to complete a final Thesis in lieu of the capstone course. Courses are offered fully online, as well as on-campus, and as evening hybrid courses and weekend intensives. Full-time students can expect to complete the required 36 graduate credit hours in two years.
CU Denver also offers an Executive Master of Public Administration (EMPA) program for mid- to senior-level public service professionals with seven or more years of relevant experience. Requiring the completion of 30 graduate credit hours, the EMPA curriculum consists of 10 courses: five core courses, three elective courses, and students have the option of completing a capstone or thesis course during their final semester of study. EMPA Students must also attend three, one-week in-person sessions that include a leadership seminar and two intensives that are part of core courses. As the curriculum follows a cohort learning model, it is rare for a student to select a concentrated area of study within the EMPA program.
CU Denver’s MPA and EMPA programs have attained additional programmatic accreditation from the NASPAA. Online programs are conducted using the Canvas learning management system.