There are currently six universities in Missouri that offer an online Master of Public Administration (MPA) or Master of Public Affairs (MPA) degree. The programs offered through these academic institutions can be completed fully online, with no on-campus or residency requirements. Online graduate students can elect to concentrate their degree in one of the following areas of study: Economic Development, Local Government Management, Public Policy, Public Safety, Criminal Justice Administration, Disaster and Emergency Management, Information Systems and Business Analytics, Local Economic Development, Nonprofit and Community Services Management, Project Management, Cybersecurity, and Digital Marketing Management.
Missouri students interested in pursuing their MPA degree online should explore the programs offered by the following schools:
- Lindenwood University
- Missouri State University
- Park University
- Southeast Missouri State University
- University of Missouri
- Webster University
The private and public universities included on this page have all attained regional accreditation through the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). Learn more about each of their program offerings below.
Schools in Missouri with Online MPA Programs
Lindenwood University offers an exclusively online MPA program through its College of Arts and Humanities, Human Cultures and Society Department. The career-focused curriculum addresses contemporary issues within the field of public administration while enhancing understanding of the tools, principles, and inter-disciplinary skills employed in government operations. The program requires the completion of 36 credit hours of graduate coursework, including 18 hours of foundational coursework; nine credit hours dedicated to research design, budgeting and finance, and accountability in public administration; six elective credit hours; and a three-credit capstone course. Electives can be tailored to a student’s personal area of interest. While all courses are available fully online, select courses may not be offered every semester. Certain electives may also have additional prerequisites. Students who are accepted to the program consult with an academic advisor to outline a plan of study, and students enrolled full-time can fulfill degree requirements in 15 to 24 months.
Lindenwood University uses the learning management system Canvas to conduct its online degree programs. In lieu of textbooks, courses utilize non-traditional reading materials to ensure content is timely and relevant. Online students also have access to library resources including eBooks, online journals, databases, and additional university resources such as the writing center and virtual tutoring services by appointment.
Missouri State University (MSU) offers a fully online MPA program through its Political Science and Philosophy Department. Focusing on public safety, public policy, and local government management, the program utilizes practical, analytical, and theoretical instruction to enhance existing skills. Following the completion of 21 core credit hours, students may elect to pursue a graduate certificate in one of the following areas of study: Economic Development, Local Government Management, Public Management, Public Policy, or Public Safety. These 12 elective credits may also be completed outside of the department, focusing in an area such as public health. Preservice students are required to complete an additional three-credit internship. At the conclusion of the program, students may elect to complete a graduate thesis or an additional six elective credit hours in their chosen area of concentration and a final comprehensive exam.
MSU uses the learning management system Blackboard to conduct its online MPA program. Classes are conducted using asynchronous instruction, but with frequent faculty and cohort interaction. Online students can utilize university resources virtually including Bear CLAW (Center for Learning and Writing) services, research assistance, academic advising, and tutoring.
Park University’s Hauptmann School of Public Affairs offers an MPA program that can be completed fully online with no on-campus or residency requirements. Rooted in public service values, the program focuses on enhancing leadership expertise with an emphasis on contemporary issues in the field. The curriculum requires the completion of 36 graduate credit hours of study, including 24 core course credit hours and 12 elective credit hours that may be concentrated in one of eight areas of discipline: Criminal Justice Administration, Disaster and Emergency Management, Information Systems and Business Analytics, Local Economic Development, Management Information Systems, Nonprofit and Community Services Management, Public Policy, or Project Management. Students are advised to enroll in two courses per eight-week term.
Park University uses the learning management system Canvas to facilitate its online MPA program. Through an individualized dashboard, online students can access grading criteria, course syllabi, and assignments. Students are responsible for reviewing course materials on their own time while adhering to preset due dates for assignments (asynchronous instruction). Online students can utilize services provided by the Academic Success Center such as virtual tutoring, resume and cover letter writing assistance, interview prep, and mentoring, as well as library resources including eBooks and databases.
Southeast Missouri State University’s (SEMO) College of Humanities and Social Sciences offers a fully online MPA degree program through its Department of Political Science, Philosophy & Religion. Emphasizing ethical leadership, strategical decision making, and enhancing communication skills, the program requires the completion of 36 credit hours of graduate coursework. The curriculum includes 21 core credit hours, 12 elective credit hours, and a final three-credit capstone, internship, or thesis. Elective coursework can be focused in the areas of Nonprofit or State and Local Governance. Depending on the term (fall, spring, winter, or summer), courses may be four, six, eight, 12, or 16-weeks long. An Online Program Specialist (OPS) is available to students who can assist in developing a plan of study, providing a detailed summary each semester of recommended classes and other pertinent degree requirements. Students enrolled full-time can earn their degree in two years.
SEMO conducts its online MPA program using the learning management system Canvas. Courses are taught via asynchronous instruction, with students completing coursework on their own time by assigned due dates. Online students are encouraged to engage with peers and faculty through discussion forms and group assignments. Online students also have access to university resources such as the Kent Library, career services, and the writing center.
The University of Missouri (Mizzou) offers an online Master of Public Affairs (MPA) through the Truman School of Government and Public Affairs, and has attained programmatic accreditation through the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA). Emphasizing the integral role of research and public service, the curriculum applies an interdisciplinary approach to the study of public administration. Designed to enhance existing skills while addressing contemporary issues within the field, the online MPA requires the completion of 36 credit hours of graduate coursework. The curriculum includes 15 credit hours of foundational core courses, 15 credits of elective coursework, and six credit hours dedicated to experiential learning courses (internship and capstone). Mid-career students with three to five years of public service-related professional experience featuring progressive responsibility may be eligible to waive both the capstone and internship requirements. Elective coursework may be concentrated in the areas of Nonprofit Management, Public Management, or Public Policy and courses are conducted in eight-week long terms. On average, student who enroll in one course per eight-week session can earn their degree in two years.
Mizzou uses the learning management system Canvas to host its online MPA degree program. Online students can utilize the Truman School Career Services Office, which assists graduate students with services such as resume and cover letter review, mock interviews, job searching and career planning, and networking.
Webster University offers a fully online MPA degree program through the George Herbert Walker School of Business & Technology, and has attained programmatic additional accreditation by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP). The curriculum examines both the public and non-profit sector as they relate to private sector business, focusing on enhancing leadership and managerial skills with an emphasis on applying integral tools to public policy decision-making. Requiring the completion of 36 credit hours of graduate coursework, including 30 to 33 core credit hours and three to six elective credit hours. Preservice students are encouraged to complete a public service internship as one of their elective courses, while students with significant experience may be eligible to enroll in an additional elective course in lieu of one core course. Students may designate an area of specialized study in the areas of Cybersecurity or Digital Marketing Management. These areas of emphasis require the completion of an additional four courses (12 credit hours).
Webster University uses the learning management system Canvas to facilitate its online MPA program. Courses are offered via both synchronous (live) instruction through WebNet+ as well as asynchronous instruction (pre-recorded). Students are given the option of choosing the format that best aligns with their schedule, learning preference, and personal commitments. Online students also have access to student success coaches, tutoring, library services, and writing coaches, as well as virtual events and speaker series.