At present, the University of Idaho is the only university in the state of Idaho that offers an online Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree program. The program’s curriculum emphasizes local government, with classes and coursework relevant to issues facing Idaho communities within an intergovernmental context. The University of Idaho is accredited by Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
Learn more about the University of Idaho’s online MPA program as well as additional online MPA options for residents of Idaho below.
Schools in Idaho with Online MPA Programs
The University of Idaho (U of I) offers an online MPA program that can be completed fully online through its Department of Politics and Philosophy. While the program has not formally attained additional programmatic accreditation through the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA), coursework is tailored to align with NASPAA standards. The curriculum is designed to address the issues and challenges facing public administration employees within Idaho at the local and state level, though students can expect to develop a broad understanding of the field through the lens of local communities. Students who enroll full-time, completing three courses each semester, can expect to graduate in two years. However, most students enroll on a part-time basis, completing one to two classes each semester.
U of I’s MPA program consists of 36 graduate credit hours, including 18 core credits and 12 to 15 elective credits. While the MPA curriculum offers a general management focus, students can choose electives that formulate a niche area of study. Pre-service students, those with no prior relevant professional experience, are required to complete a three to six credit internship. In contrast, students with prior professional experience are expected to complete a three-credit field-based research project, typically addressing a specific issue within their current organization. The university has developed relationships with various local organizations as well as state agencies to aide in internship placement. The program concludes with a final comprehensive exam.
Online students at U of I access readings, lectures, and group discussion boards through the university’s learning management system, Canvas. Classes are taught using asynchronous instruction by the same faculty that instruct on-campus students. This allows online students to access course materials on their own schedule. U of I has also partnered with the Idaho City Management Association (IdCMA) to provide its MPA students with access to conferences and networking opportunities.
Additional Online MPA Programs for Residents of Idaho
Students interested in pursuing an area of public administration not currently offered by U of I can explore out-of-state online MPA programs that accept applicants with residence in the state of Idaho. Numerous online MPA programs can be completed fully online without any residency requirements; however, certain programs do include mandatory in-person elements such as orientations, networking events, or intensive courses. Students researching out-of-state online programs should look into degree requirements prior to applying. Most universities have an admissions advisor on-hand to answer questions and offer guidance to prospective students.
Find additional concentration options on our Online MPA Specializations page, which contains links to pages that contain comprehensive listings of online MPA programs offered by colleges and universities in the U.S.