Eight schools in the state of Illinois currently offer a Master of Public Administration (MPA) or Master of Public Policy and Administration (MPPA) degree program exclusively online with no residency requirements. Through the degree programs offered by these institutions, online graduate students can follow a general public administration curriculum or enhance their knowledge in one of the following areas of study: Emergency Management, Public Policy, Nonprofit Management, Global Policy, Health Services Administration, Public Safety and Justice Leadership, Metropolitan Planning and Urban Affairs, Local Government Management, and more.
Prospective students interested in pursuing an online MPA degree from a university in Illinois should research offerings from the following schools:
- Adler University
- Aurora University
- DePaul University
- National Louis University
- Northern Illinois University
- Northwestern University
- Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
- University of Illinois Springfield
Each of the public and private academic institutions highlighted above is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). Review the section below to discover additional information about each of their MPA degree programs.
Schools in Illinois with Online MPA Programs
Adler University’s online Master of Public Administration (MPA) focuses on enhancing both theoretical knowledge as well as leadership and managerial skills for those in the field of public administration. The curriculum consists of 36 graduate credit hours, including ten core courses, three concentration courses, and a final capstone project that can be conducted individually or as part of a group. Students may elect to concentrate their coursework in the areas of Sustainable Communities, Crisis Management, or Military and Veteran Services. Regardless of prior professional experience, all online MPA students are also required to complete a 200-hour Social Justice Practicum, consisting of an internship either within an organization that focuses on community need or at the students’ current place of employment. Alternatively, students may elect to develop their own community-centered project. The Practicum is accompanied by four online modules focusing on social responsibility that are conducted over 32 weeks. Courses are conducted in eight-week terms, and full-time students can expect to graduate within two years.
Adler University conducts its online programs using asynchronous instruction while giving students the opportunity to interact with their cohort and faculty via the learning management system Canvas. Online students also gain access to campus-based resources such as the Center for Learning and Teaching which offers tutoring, resume preparation assistance, and more.
Aurora University offers a fully online MPA with an optional concentration in Leadership through its School of Social and Behavioral Sciences. Focused on enhancing managerial skills by applying theory to real-world scenarios, the program requires the completion of 36 graduate credit hours, consisting of seven core courses and five elective courses. Students who elect to pursue a general public administration curriculum can enroll in electives covering topics such as nonprofit management and leadership, grant writing, public sector law, and community development. Online MPA students are also able to enroll in up to two Master of Business Administration (MBA) elective courses. Classes are conducted in eight-week-long terms, and students typically earn their degree within one to two years.
Aurora University’s MPA program uses the Open Educational Resources library and network to offer its students access to textbooks at no additional cost. Classes are conducted via asynchronous instruction, with students engaging in collaborative learning activities and discussions through the university’s online learning management system, Moodle. Through this platform, students can also attend virtual office hours and engage in career-focused activities. The program’s online resources are designed to replicate those accessible to on-campus students, including IT services, enrollment counselors, academic advisors, tutoring, and career services.
DePaul University offers a fully online MPA program through its School of Public Service, and has attained programmatic accreditation through the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA). Online students can elect to specialize in one of the following areas: General Public Administration (Standard), Emergency Management, Public Management, or Metropolitan Planning and Urban Affairs. The program focuses on enhancing managerial skills, ethical leadership, financial management and budgeting, and public policy design and analysis. The curriculum requires the completion of 52 credit hours (13 courses), including 36 credits of core coursework and 16 concentration credits. Pre-service students with less than one year of government or government-related work experience are required to complete an internship as part of their core curriculum. Students with significant relevant work experience must complete an integrative capstone seminar instead, undertaking an action research project utilizing the research, theories, and professional knowledge gained throughout the program. A new cohort begins each Autumn, and full-time students enrolled in two classes per term can expect to graduate in two and half years.
Online students utilize the learning management system Desire2Learn (D2L) as well as Zoom to access online courses and materials. Classes are conducted using a mix of synchronous and asynchronous instruction. Students will be required to attend live evening sessions with instructors as well as participate in online discussion forums. Online students are encouraged to utilize many of the same resources offered to on-campus students, including ordering books from any library belonging to the I-Share network. This extensive library system allows students to access books from both the DePaul library system as well as any of the 71 libraries belonging to the Consortium of Academic Research Libraries in Illinois (CARLI). Online students are also encouraged to participate in DePaul’s study abroad program.
National Louis University’s (NLU) Graduate School of Business and Leadership offers an online MPA emphasizes a synthesis of academic theory and practical methodology, focusing on research design and methodology, public policy analysis and assessment, legal and ethical aspects of public policy implementation, as well as enhancing key leadership, decision making, and managerial skills. The program requires the completion of 36 credit hours, including two foundational courses, six core courses, three elective courses, and a final capstone course. Online students can elect to concentrate their studies in one of the following areas: Community Psychology, Fundamentals of Design Thinking, Health Services Administration, Human Resource Management, Human Services Management, Nonprofit Management, Organizational Development, Public Policy, Public Safety and Justice Leadership, and Teaching of Public Policy and Administration. Two, six-week courses are offered per quarter, and full-time students can expect to earn their degree in as few as 19 months.
NLU utilizes Brightspace by D2L to conduct its online degree programs. Through this learning management system students can access lectures and course materials, engage with peers, and ask questions regarding coursework. Online students have access to virtual academic advising and coaching, tutoring, leadership workshops, community involvement opportunities, and other resources available to on-campus students. NLU’s online MPA program can be completed fully online with no residency or on-campus requirements. Online students also have the option of completing coursework online while attending on-campus lectures every other week.
Northern Illinois University’s (NIU) online MPA program is offered through the Department of Public Administration and has obtained programmatic accreditation through NASPAA. Designed for midcareer professionals with a minimum of two years of experience working in the public sector, the curriculum focuses on local government. The program consists of 39 graduate credit hours, including eight core course, four Local Government Management concentration courses, and a capstone project. Each course is conducted over eight weeks, and students typically enroll in one course per term. The majority of online students in NIU’s MPA program enroll part-time, completing two courses during each of the fall and spring semesters and one course during the summer term. Part-time students can expect to graduate in less than three years.
NIU online MPA courses are taught using asynchronous instruction via the learning management system Blackboard. Students are expected to access coursework and lectures on their own time while adhering to specific completion deadlines. Online students have access to numerous resources offered to on-campus cohorts, including academic advising, technological support, NIU libraries, the University Writing Center, and career services.
Northwestern University’s School of Professional Studies offers an online Master of Public Policy and Administration (MPPA) that explores the analytical and administrative sides of public policy from a global perspective. Leadership focused with an emphasis on real-world application, the curriculum consists of 13 courses, including nine core courses, three specialization courses, and a capstone course or thesis project that may be completed independently or as part of a group. Students can pursue a general public administration curriculum or declare a specialization in Data Analytics for Public Policy, Global Health, Global Policy, or Public Policy. Online students are expected to enroll part-time, fulfilling degree requirements within two to three years by completing one to two courses per term.
Northwestern utilizes the learning management system Canvas to conduct its online degree programs. Classes are held live in the evenings one day per week from 7pm to 9:30pm (CST). While attendance is encouraged, students whose schedules require asynchronous instruction can access a recording of live lectures on their own time. Outside of the classroom, the MPPA Student Leadership Council organizes guest speakers and professional networking events, and encourages continued alumni involvement in the program.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s (SIUE) Department of Public Administration and Policy Analysis (PAPA) offers an online Master of Public Administration (MPA) and has attained programmatic accreditation through NASPAA. The curriculum requires the completion of 39 graduate credit hours (13 courses), including 21 core credit hours, 18 concentration credit hours, and concludes with a comprehensive exam. Students can elect to follow a general administration curriculum or specialize in one of the following areas: Public Management, Nonprofit Management, Human Resource Administration, Safety and Security (Homeland Security), Leadership, or Healthcare Management. An accelerated program, courses are conducted in eight-week terms and a full-time student can fulfill degree requirements in one year.
The MPA program at SIUE can be completed fully online with no residency requirements and is taught using asynchronous instruction to allow students to access lectures and course materials on their own schedule. SIUE utilizes the learning management system Blackboard to conduct its online programs, and through this platform students can engage with classmates and faculty as well as upload assignments and participate in group discussions. The university offers 24/7 technical support, and online students have access to numerous on-campus resources including libraries, the writing center, tutoring, academic advising, and counseling services.
University of Illinois Springfield’s (UIS) offers an online Master of Public Administration (MPA) through its School of Public Management and Policy and has attained additional programmatic accreditation through NASPAA. Focusing on public finance, budgeting, and leadership, the curriculum requires the completion of 36 graduate credit hours, including 21 core credit hours, 12 elective credit hours, and a final three-credit capstone course. Students who hope to specialize in a specific area can elect to pursue a concurrent Graduate Certificate in one of the following areas of study: Nonprofit Management, Community Planning, Public Procurement Management, Child Advocacy Studies (CAST), or Human Services Fundraising. The majority of students fulfill their degree requirements in 16 to 24 months.
UIS utilizes the learning management system Canvas to conduct its online degree programs. The online MPA is intended to closely mirror the on-campus degree program. In addition to a dedicated academic advisor, faculty may encourage graduate students to utilize the university’s Learning Hub to enhance writing skills.