There are two universities at present that offer an online Master of Public Administration Program in Washington, D.C. (District of Columbia). Through the programs offered by American University and Strayer University, students can pursue a graduate degree with a general emphasis in public administration and public policy. Coursework within these programs builds upon foundational knowledge in core areas of public administration, enhancing managerial and leadership capabilities, and developing a high-level understanding of industry trends. These programs are offered fully online with no on-campus/residency requirements.
American University and Strayer University are both regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). Discover more about each of their online MPA programs below.
Schools in the District of Columbia with Online MPA Programs
American University (AU) offers an online Master of Public Administration & Policy (MPAP) and has attained programmatic accreditation through the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA). Offered by AU’s School of Public Affairs (SPA), the program focuses on enhancing analytical proficiencies by examining the financial, political, and operational aspects of management in real-world scenarios. The MPAP curriculum consists of 36 hours of graduate coursework, including 11 required core courses conducted in eight-week sessions, and concluding with a three-credit Public Policy Practicum. This final course enables students to demonstrate the skills acquired throughout the program in an organizational setting. Students are tasked with conducting research and policy analysis for a real-world client, exploring prospective policies from an economic, legal, and ethical perspective. Courses follow a pre-determined sequence, and students enrolled full-time can expect to earn their degree within two years.
Online programs at AU utilize the learning management system (LMS) Canvas to enable students to communicate and collaborate with faculty and peers, access course materials and university resources, and upload assignments. While most online courses use asynchronous instruction, allowing students to access course materials on their own schedule, classwork is deadline-driven and requires students to complete one interactive learning unit each week. Online students have the same access to university resources as on-campus students, including advisors, technical assistants, and virtual access to on-campus events.
Strayer University offers a completely online Master of Public Administration (MPA) program focusing on developing quantitative and qualitative analytic skills as they relate to public policy evaluation. The curriculum consists of 45 graduate credit hours, including nine core courses that cover topics such as grant writing, leadership, constitutional law, urban planning, personnel management, budgeting and financial policy, and nonprofit management. The program concludes with a public administration capstone course in which students demonstrate a mastery of the knowledge acquired during their studies. Students who earned their undergraduate degree in an unrelated field may be required to complete additional coursework. Full-time students enrolled in one to two courses each term can expect to graduate in 18 to 24 months.
Online students can expect to view course content, submit assignments, and engage with faculty and peers through the learning management system Blackboard. Classes are conducted using asynchronous instruction, with students accessing lectures and assignments on their own schedule. The university offers prospective students access to an Admissions Officer who may serve as a guide through the application and enrollment process. These advisors remain on-hand through a student’s first semester of instruction, after which a Student Services Coach can assist in determining course selection, assessing educational goals, connecting students with tutors and/or study groups, and providing additional academic support until graduation. Online students can access the university’s online learning, virtual writing center, tutoring, and 24/7 virtual support through the student portal. MPA students and alumni are also able to join the university’s chapter of the American Society for Public Administration (ASPA), gaining access to networking events and sponsored speakers. The online MPA program includes no on-campus requirements.
Note: Online students who live in Florida are required to complete a modified curriculum for Strayer University’s online MPA program that requires 54 credit hours instead of 45 credit hours. Florida students must complete a business statistics course and an information systems course as part of their MPA program. Similar changes in curriculum may be required for students in other states, check with Strayer for more information.