Among the universities in Delaware, two currently offer an online Master of Public Administration (MPA) program. The programs offered by Delaware State University, a public institution, and the University of Delaware, a privately-governed institution, can be completed fully online without on-campus residency requirements. Through these schools, online MPA students can elect to specialize in Health Systems Management or pursue a general public administration curriculum.
Delaware State University and the University of Delaware are regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).
Schools in Delaware with Online MPA Programs
Delaware State University (DSU) offers an online MPA program through its College of Humanities, Education and Social Sciences (CHESS). The 36-credit curriculum focuses on community empowerment and civil engagement through faculty lectures, community projects, and collaboration with nonprofit and governmental organizations. Courses are conducted in two, eight-week sessions per semester, and students enrolled full-time can expect to graduate within two years. Students with less than three years of relevant managerial experience are required to complete an additional for-credit internship. The program concludes with an MPA Graduate Project, an experiential study in which students are expected to apply relevant theories and historical context to a real-world scenario, and present their analysis, policy recommendations, and implementation plan to a graduate committee.
DSU utilizes primarily asynchronous instruction through the learning management system Blackboard to conduct its online programs, with students responsible for accessing course materials on their own time. Students can also engage with classmates and faculty and submit assignments through Blackboard. Certain courses are also offered in-person on the university’s Wilmington campus and these courses can be accessed remotely by online students. These optional live class sessions are typically held at 6pm (EST) one night per week.
The University of Delaware’s (UD) online NASPAA-accredited MPA program is offered through the Joseph R. Biden, Jr. School of Public Policy and Administration. The program utilizes the Delaware Model of learning; combining theory, research, and application-based instruction to focus on emergent societal needs. Online students may pursue a general public administration degree or elect to specialize in Health Systems Management. The program’s 36-credit curriculum includes 24 core course credits, 9 specialization course credits, and a final two-credit capstone project. Students with fewer than two years of relevant professional experience are required to complete an additional single credit internship. Courses are conducted in seven-week sessions, and full-time students can complete the degree requirements in 30 months.
UD conducts its online education programs using the learning management system Canvas. This platform allows online students to engage with peers and faculty, as well as access resources including the university writing center, tutoring, academic coaching, the UD library, and professional development programs. Courses utilize asynchronous instruction, with students accessing class materials and lectures on their own time.