At present, the University of Montana (UM) is the only school that offers an online Master of Public Administration program in the state of Montana. The UM online MPA program focuses on public service and enhancing cultural awareness through collaborative, applied-learning experiences. UM is regionally accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) and has attained programmatic accreditation by the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA).
Read more about the University of Montana’s online MPA program below as well as additional out-of-state online options for residents of Montana.
Schools in Montana with Online MPA Programs
The University of Montana’s (UM) offers an online Master of Public Administration (MPA) program through the Alexander Blewett III School of Law’s Department of Public Administration and Policy. Focusing on enhancing core leadership, managerial, and analytical skills, the curriculum emphasizes ethics, transparency, and accountability in public service. The program requires the completion of 36 credit hours of graduate coursework, including six core courses, six elective courses, and a final portfolio project and exit interview. Students may elect to specialize in Nonprofit Administration or tailor their elective coursework to align with personal interests and career goals with the approval of the MPA Director. Interdepartmental collaboration is encouraged, and students may choose electives from outside departments such as the Department of Political Science, Public Health, and/or Law. The average student can fulfill degree requirements in just over two years.
UM utilizes the learning management system Moodle to support its online MPA program. Through this platform, students can engage in forum discussions as well as access announcements, class assignments, course materials, quizzes, and assessments. Depending on the course, students may be required to log on to lectures at a scheduled time each week (synchronous instruction) or view lectures and complete assignments on their own time (asynchronous instruction). Live classes are typically conducted in the late afternoon or early evening. Virtual writing tutors are available to assist with classwork, and the Mansfield Library can ship books in addition to its online collection offerings.
Additional Online MPA Programs for Residents of Montana
Students interested in pursuing an online MPA concentration not currently offered by UM can explore out-of-state online MPA programs that accept applicants who reside in the state of Montana. The majority of online MPA programs can be completed fully online, without the need to relocate or travel for on-campus or in-person residency requirements. However, select programs may include in-person requirements such as intensive studies or orientations, so prospective students should research degree requirements prior to beginning the application process. While some students may prefer to enroll in an MPA program that can be completed fully online, others may desire to meet classmates and instructors in person. Those students may want to look for a program that requires on-campus sessions.
Learn more about specialization options for MPA programs on our Online MPA Specializations page. Currently, OnlineMPAPrograms.com classifies programs into fourteen different MPA concentrations.