Public Administration (Executive) - MPA

The Executive Master of Public Administration (EMPA) Program is designed for busy working professionals with 5+ years of professional work experience who are looking to advance their careers in the public, nonprofit, or private sectors.

Our MPA alumni hold leadership positions as town and county managers, department and program managers, planners, analysts, and program specialists. Program highlights include:

• A 36-credit hour program that can be completed in as little as two years
• Affordable with a wide range of financial resources available
• Opportunities for professional development and networking outside the classroom
• Outstanding faculty known for their research who also have professional experience
• Because the program is designed for experienced professionals, no internship is required

WE ARE NATIONALLY ACCREDITED BY NASPAA

The EMPA program’s curriculum is 36 credit hours. Students can complete the program in 2 years by taking 2 courses every Fall, Spring, and Summer Semester. 

Part-time students can take up to 5 years to complete the degree.  The core curriculum consists of 6 courses (18 credit hours) that focus on demonstrating the 5 learning competencies required by NASPAA – the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration.

As an EMPA student, you will complete the balance of your curriculum by taking a series of electives that help improve your knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to advance your professional career.  Some electives examples are below:

• Leading Public and Nonprofit Organizations
• Public Economics and Cost-Benefit Analysis
• Applied Management Tools, Skills, and Techniques
• Ethics in Public Life
• Strategic Planning and Management
• Nonprofit Resource Development
• Grant Writing for Public & Nonprofit Organizations
• Program Evaluation
• Nonprofit Business Law
• Sustainable Cities

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE MPA PROGRAM & RESOURCES FOR STUDENTS

Information: M.P.A. Public Administration (Executive)

Apply Now

• Complete applications are reviewed for admission by the program as they are received.
• All application and supporting documents must be received by the published deadline.

Coordinator

• Craig Kelly, MPA
  MPA Program Coordinator
  (910) 962-7778
  kellyc@uncw.edu 
  
  Dr. Mark Imperial
  MPA Director
  (910) 962-7928
  imperialm@uncw.edu 

Location/Delivery Method

• Executive M.P.A. Program - Distance Education - Fully Online - asynchronous (instructional materials made available on the Internet and available 24 hours a day every day-not time-dependent slots) 

Deadlines (11:59 p.m. EST)

• Spring 2025:
  • December 1, 2024
• Summer I 2025:
  • April 1, 2025
• Fall 2025:
  • Priority Consideration Deadline: April 1, 2025
  • Space Available Deadline: July 1, 2025

Transcripts

• One official transcript is required from each U.S. post-secondary institution attended. Refer to the Getting Started page for international transcript instructions.

Test Scores

• None Required

Recommendations

• 3 recommendations from individuals who are in a position to evaluate the applicant’s professional competence as well as potential for graduate study (ideally at least one reference should be an academic instructor).

Additional Requirements

• Work Experience: At least 5 years of professional work experience
• Personal Statement:
  A personal statement describing your professional experiences, reasons for pursuing graduate study in the Executive MPA program, and your professional career goals
• Resume
• Visa Sponsorship: This program does not qualify for visa sponsorship.
• Differential Tuition: Differential tuition applies to this program.

Tuition and Fees 

Students in the MPA program are eligible to receive different forms of financial assistance that are available to new and returning students. 

Graduate Teaching Assistantships (GTAs) are awarded on a competitive basis for the academic year with a limited number available for summer support. A limited number of out-of-state tuition remissions may be available to GTAs as well. Our GTAs work in various roles including program support, staffing a teaching lab, providing classroom support for undergraduate courses, or providing research support for faculty.

The MPA program has local government fellowships with various local governments including New Hanover County, City of Wilmington and Carolina Beach. These students work part-time while completing their degree and get their internships waived.

Scholarships are available from various sources. The graduate school provides a limited among of need-based and merit based scholarships. The MPA program provides additional scholarships as well.  Other externally funded scholarships are available as well including the North Carolina City-County Managers Association and Holt Oil scholarships.