Three universities in Minnesota currently offer an online Master of Public Administration (MPA) and/or online Master of Public and Nonprofit Administration degree program. The programs at Metropolitan State University, St. Cloud State University, and Walden University can be completed fully online with no residency or on-campus requirements. Online students may pursue a general public administration curriculum or elect to pursue a specialized degree in one of the following areas of study: Diversity and Social Justice, Emergency Management, Law and Public Policy, Nonprofit Management and Leadership, City and County Leadership and Management, or International Development Leadership and Management.
The public and private universities included on this page are each accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). Read more about their degree offerings below.
Schools in Minnesota with Online MPA Programs
Metropolitan State University (Metro State University) offers an online MPA program through its College of Community Studies and Public Affairs. Focusing on modern issues within public administration and the enhancement of leadership skills, the program requires the completion of 40 graduate credit hours consisting of six fundamental credits, 18 strategic skills and knowledge credits (core), 12 focus area (concentration) credits, and a final capstone seminar in Community Oriented Management. In addition to the MPA degree, Metro State University offers an online Master of Public and Nonprofit Administration (MPNA) program. The curriculum focuses on the public and non-profit sector and the challenges presented to leaders within the field. The degree also requires the completion of 40 credit hours of graduate coursework. While the MPA and MPNA programs have not attained formal accreditation from the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA), the curriculum aligns with NASPAA guidelines. The MPNA program also adheres to the Nonprofit Academic Centers Council (NACC) guidelines. Online students have up to five years from the beginning of their first course to complete degree requirements.
Metro State University conducts its online degree programs via the learning management system D2L Brightspace. Depending on the course, students may attend live evening sessions (synchronous instruction) or access course materials and lectures independently (asynchronous instruction). Students should confirm the mode of instruction prior to registration each semester. New online students in both the MPA and MPNA programs are invited to attend an optional on-campus orientation at the beginning of the first semester. Students who are unable to attend in person are provided virtual access.
St. Cloud State University (SCSU) offers an online MPA program through its Department of Political Science. The research-based curriculum is rooted in experiential learning. Utilizing case studies and simulations, the program seeks to enhance the foundational understanding of public administration theories in the areas of management, organizational theory, public policy, and ethics. The program requires the completion of 36 to 38 credit hours of graduate coursework, including eight core courses and four elective courses. Elective may be concentrated in one of the following areas of study: General Leadership and Management, City and County Leadership and Management, Nonprofit Leadership and Management, or International Development Leadership and Management. Preservice students, those with less than two years of related managerial or analytical experience, are required to complete an additional two-credit internship. The program concludes with a comprehensive exam. Students enrolled full-time can earn their degree in two years, with part-time students typically completed the program in three years.
Online MPA courses at SCSU are conducted using asynchronous instruction through D2L Brightspace, with students accessing course materials and lectures on their own schedule. Each incoming student is assigned an academic advisor to assist in developing an initial plan of study.
Walden University’s College of Health Sciences and Public Policy offers an MPA degree that can be completed fully online. The program is constructed on the foundation of implementing social change, focusing on diversity, equity, and inclusion as it pertains to public policy and administration. Integrating real-world scenarios and immersive learning experiences, the curriculum requires the completion of 48 credit hours of graduate coursework, including a foundational course in public administration, 30 credits of core coursework, 10 credits of elective coursework, and a final capstone course. Online students may concentrate their elective coursework in General Public Administration, Diversity and Social Justice, Emergency Management, Law and Public Policy, or Nonprofit Management and Leadership. Classes are conducted in 11-week long quarters, and students enrolled full-time can expect to fulfill degree requirements in five quarters or 15 months of study.
Walden University conducts their online degree programs through the learning management system Canvas. Classes are taught using asynchronous instruction. Students complete weekly readings, contribute to class discussions, and adhere to assignment deadlines as it aligns with their personal schedules while following a preset course syllabus. Online students are assigned a Student Success Advisor throughout their academic experience, and also have access to resources provided by the Career Planning and Development Center such as virtual networking events, career-focused webinars, resume and cover letter tools, and more.