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Public Administration, MPA

Prepare for a Career in Government, Nonprofit Organizations, or the Private Sector
  • 2 Years

    To Earn Your MPA

  • No GRE

    Scores Are Not Required for Admission

  • 36-39

    Credit Hours

Public Administration, MPA Program Overview

Program Highlights

Nationally accredited, the Master of Public Administration (MPA) Program is an interdisciplinary professional degree designed for students looking to start or advance their careers in the public, nonprofit, or private sectors. Our alumni hold leadership positions in local, state, and federal government and in nonprofit organizations. See below for additional information: 

  • Multiple program options: In-person and online asynchronous classes; full- or part-time participation, afternoon and evening in-person classes offered one day a week
  •  Outstanding faculty known for their research, publications, and professional experience
  • Wide range of financial resources available
  • A wide range of internships and fellowships are available to help students start their careers 
  • The program is nationally accredited by the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA)
  • Executive MPA program available
  • Dual M.S. EVS/MPA degree option available

For more information, sign up for our next available open house or contact our program coordinator, Craig Kelly.

Learn more about the
MPA Program

WE ARE NATIONALLY ACCREDITED BY NASPAA
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Learn To

Lead and manage in public governance

Participate in and contribute to the policy process

Analyze, synthesize, think critically, solve problems, make decisions

Articulate and apply a public values perspective

Communicate and interact with diverse and changing workforce and citizenry

Curriculum

MPA students have the flexibility to shape their curriculum to fit their career goals. Students begin by selecting one of our six-course concentrations:

  • Public Management
  • Nonprofit Management 
  • Public Policy Analysis 
  • Urban & Regional Policy and Planning 
  • Coastal Planning & Management 
  • Managerial & Analytical Skills (Only one available for online students) 

As an MPA 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 examples are below:

  • Analytics for Public & Nonprofit Management  
  • Program Evaluation 
  • Applied Management Tools, Skills, and Techniques  
  • Leading Public & Nonprofit Organizations  
  • Strategic Planning & Management  
  • Public Economics & Cost-Benefit Analysis 
  • Environmental Policy Analysis 
  • Nonprofit Business Law 
  • Government Planning & Geographic Information Systems (G.I.S.) 
  • Sustainable Cities 

Students with less than 5 years of professional experience also complete a 300-hour internship or a practicum project. Students have a lot of flexibility in terms of selecting their host. Students with 5+ years of professional experience or who complete a fellowship can have their internship requirement waived.  

Explore the Executive MPA Program

Core Courses

Table lists sample courses for the MPA program
MPA 500 Public Management
MPA 501 Quantitative Methods
MPA 502 Public Human Resources Management
MPA 503 Financial Management & Decision Making
MPA 505 Policy Analysis
MPA 595 Capstone Seminar in Public Administration
See The Full Curriculum

Admission Deadlines & Requirements

Information: MPA (Traditional)

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  • 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

Location/Delivery Method

  • Traditional MPA Program - Main Campus - Hybrid program that is Main Campus and/or Distance Education.

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

  • Upload Supplemental Documents After Application Submission
  • Personal Statement:
    Personal statement describing your professional experiences, reasons for pursuing graduate study in the MPA program, and your professional career goals.
  • Resume
  • Differential Tuition: Differential tuition applies to this program.

Financial Assistance Available

Students in the MPA program may be 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.

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See The Full Curriculum
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