Three schools in the state of Connecticut currently offer an online Master of Public Administration (MPA) program: Fairfield University, Post University, and University of New Haven. Through the programs available at these universities, graduate students pursuing their MPA online can elect to follow a general public administration curriculum or specialize in areas including City/State Management, Emergency Management and Homeland Security, Fire and Emergency Medical Services, Public Safety, Municipal Management, Public Financial Management, Health Administration, and Nonprofit Management. All three universities offer online degree programs that can be completed fully online without on-campus requirements.
Fairfield University, Post University, and University of New Haven are all regionally accredited by NECHE. Read below to learn more about their online MPA offerings.
Schools in Connecticut with Online MPA Programs
Fairfield University’s College of Arts and Sciences offers an online MPA program with the option of specializing in City/State Management, Emergency Management, Health Administration, and Nonprofit Management. The faith-based curriculum is rooted within Jesuit traditions, emphasizing theory, research, and application through the concepts of social justice and service to others. Consisting of 36 graduate credit hours that include six core courses, five elective courses, and a capstone course that is taken during a student’s final semester. Students enrolled full-time can complete their degree in 24 months.
In addition to the core curriculum, online MPA students have access to research opportunities, community initiatives, and service-learning projects through Fairfield’s Center for Social Impact. Classes are completed fully online utilizing asynchronous instruction, allowing students to access materials on their own schedule.
Post University’s online MPA program, which is offered through the John P. Burke School of Public Service and Education, integrates graduate-level business courses into the traditional study of public administration. The program requires the completion of 37 graduate credit hours, including 21 core public administration course credits, 12 core business course credits, and a two-part, four-credit capstone seminar. Students can elect to pursue a concentration in Emergency Management and Homeland Security by replacing three business courses with specific elective courses. Students who enroll full-time can complete their degree requirements in 26 months.
Classes are conducted using asynchronous instruction, allowing students to access lectures and course materials on their own schedule. This program includes no on-campus residency requirements.
University of New Haven’s online MPA program is offered through the Henry C. Lee College of Criminal Justice and Forensic Sciences. The curriculum consists of 36 credit hours of graduate coursework, including eight core courses, three elective courses, and a final research seminar. Students with relevant professional experience may be eligible to waive one, three-credit practicum course. Elective requirements will vary based on a student’s chosen concentration, and online MPA students can elect to focus in one of five areas: Fire and Emergency Medical Services, Municipal Management, Nonprofit Management, Public Financial Management, or Public Safety. Students can also forgo selecting a formal concentration in order to pursue a general public administration curriculum. Courses are conducted in either an accelerated format (using six week or seven and a half week terms) or a traditional semester format (15-week terms). The program can be completed within 24 months for students who enroll full-time.
All of University of New Haven’s online classes use asynchronous instruction, where students can access course materials and view lectures on their own time. Students are expected to enroll in one course per term, and advisors are available to assist with scheduling. There are no on-campus requirements for this program.