At present, five universities in Michigan offer a Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree program that can be completed 100% online with no on-campus or residential requirements. Through the programs offered by these universities, online students can pursue a general public administration curriculum or elect to specialize in one of the following areas of study: Criminal Justice Administration, Human Resource Administration, State and Local Government, Public Management, Court Administration, Health Care Administration, Social and Public Policy, University and College Student Affairs Administration, or Nonprofit Organization and Management.
Prospective students interested in pursuing an online MPA degree in Michigan should research the following schools:
- Central Michigan University
- Northern Michigan University
- Oakland University
- Saginaw Valley State University
- University of Michigan
The public universities highlighted on this page are each regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). Learn more about the degree offerings at each of these schools below.
Schools in Michigan with Online MPA Programs
Central Michigan University’s (CMU) School of Politics, Society, Justice and Public Service offers an MPA degree program that can be completed fully online, and has attained programmatic accreditation through the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA). Emphasizing strategic leadership and public policy analysis, the curriculum requires the completion of 37 graduate credit hours of coursework, including eight core courses, three or four electives, and a final single-credit capstone course. Those with significant professional experience may be eligible for academic credit. Conversely, students with less than two years of relevant managerial experience are required to complete an additional internship course. Elective coursework can be tailored to a specific area of interest or desired expertise such as nonprofit management, or community and the environment. Depending on enrollment status, online students can fulfill degree requirements in two to four years.
CMU’s online courses are conducted via asynchronous instruction. Coursework is self-paced, and students can access reading materials and lectures, and interact with peers and faculty through the online learning management system Blackboard. Prior to registration, all online MPA students are required to meet with the MPA Director to coordinate a plan of study. Online students also have access to university-based resources virtually, including the Writing Center and Career Development Center.
Northern Michigan University’s (NMU) Department of Political Science and Public Administration offers an MPA that can be completed fully online through NMU Global Campus. The curriculum focuses on enhancing technical skills and the understanding of fundamental theories and methodologies within the field of public administration. Depending on prior professional experience, the program requires the completion of 34 to 36 credit hours of graduate coursework, including five core course, three to five elective courses, and a final capstone or thesis. Preservice students must complete an additional two-credit internship. Elective coursework can be focused in one of the following subject areas: Criminal Justice Administration, Human Resource Administration, State and Local Government, or Public Management.
NMU uses EduCat, a customized course management system supported by Moodle, to conduct its online degree programming. The majority of classes are conducted via asynchronous instruction, allowing students to view lectures, access course readings, and complete assignments on their own schedule while adhering to a preset syllabus. Students should confirm whether a course has any synchronous (live) elements prior to registration each semester. The university’s Career Services Center offers online students access to services such as resume and cover letter review, career coaching, mock interviews, LinkedIn review, job boards, and the Alumni Mentor Program, which matches current students with professionals within their industry.
Oakland University (OU) offers an online MPA through its Political Science Department, and has attained programmatic accreditation through NASPAA. The curriculum requires the completion of 36 credit hours of graduate coursework, including 20 core course credits, 12 elective credits, and a final research thesis project or semester-long internship. The core curriculum focuses on enhancing leadership skills and foundational knowledge of public administration through coursework that reflects modern issues impacting the field. Elective coursework can be concentrated in one of the following areas of study: Court Administration, Criminal Justice Leadership, Health Care Administration, Local Government Management, or Nonprofit Organization and Management. Students enrolled full-time can fulfill degree requirements in one to two years.
OU conducts its online MPA program using the learning management system Moodle, as well as Zoom and Google Meet. While certain classes utilize asynchronous instruction with students accessing lectures and materials on their own schedule, some courses may require students to attend weekly scheduled live (synchronous) class sessions. Online students have access to a number of university resources including academic advising via an assigned advisor, virtual career consultants, library services, tutoring, and the Oakland University Writing Center.
Saginaw Valley State University’s (SVSU) College of Arts & Behavioral Sciences offers an MPA degree program that can be completed 100% online. The university offers two divergent specialization tracks, each with an emphasis on leadership. The General Public Administration track requires the completion of 12 courses, or 36 credit hours of graduate coursework. The University and College Student Affairs Administration track includes seven core courses, three student affairs administration specialization courses, and two advanced administration courses. The University and College Student Affairs Administration track is designed for professionals within academia, elective coursework focuses on college and university leadership, student development, and enrollment management. Regardless of the elected area of focus, full-time students can expect to fulfill degree requirements in two years.
SVSU conducts its online MPA program through the learning management system Canvas. Many classes are offered using asynchronous instruction, with course materials and assignments posting weekly with due dates the following week. Students should confirm course delivery method prior to registration each semester as some classes may utilize synchronous (live) sessions. Online students also have access to the university writing center as well as digital library resources and tutoring through SVSU’s Center for Academic Achievement (CAA).
University of Michigan – Flint (UM-Flint) offers an online MPA degree program through the Horace H. Rackham School of Graduate Studies. Taking an interdisciplinary approach to the study of public administration, the program integrates theoretical education with hands-on experience via community partnerships and real-world scenarios. The curriculum requires the completion of 36 credit hours of graduate coursework, including 27 core credit hours and 9 concentration credit hours. Online students can pursue a general public administration curriculum or specialize in Nonprofit and Social Entrepreneurship or Social and Public Policy. Preservice students, those with less than two years of relevant professional experience, are required to complete an internship in lieu of one elective course. Students are given up to five years to satisfy degree requirements.
UM-Flint utilizes the learning management system Canvas to support its online degree programs. Online classes are conducted via hyperflex instruction (synchronous), in which online students log on to lectures being simultaneously attended by on-campus students. Classes are scheduled in the evenings after 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Academic advisors are available to help online students arrange their class schedules.