Whether you are an emerging or current professional, online Master’s of Public Administration degrees can open up a number of doors in terms of career opportunities in both the private and public sectors. Since most graduate students who are thinking about pursuing this degree are already working in the field, many colleges and universities have begun to offer established, flexible, and affordable online Master’s of Public Administration degrees. These programs are typically comprised of 36 to 40 credit hours and focus on budgeting and planning, public policy analysis, nonprofit management, and organizational leadership. Below you will find the 25 most affordable online Master’s of Public Administration degrees for positions in a number of settings, including nonprofit and government organizations.
Methodology
There are hundreds of online and on-campus master’s degrees in public administration. How do you choose the one that is best for you and your professional goals? With the following list of the top graduate public administration degrees, we hope to help you answer this question. We conducted a search for the term “online Master’s of Public Administration” degree at the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and narrowed down the search results from more than 150 schools into the top 25 based on ranking factors such as in-state tuition rates and student-to-faculty ratios. We also cross-referenced our data with each school’s website to ensure we would provide the most accurate and up-to-date information possible.
Average Cost of Attendance
If you are thinking about pursuing a Master’s in Public Administration degree, it is important to consider the cost of tuition as well as the accreditation and offerings of a particular program. Although some might believe that the most expensive degrees are automatically the best and the highest quality, the reality is that an inexpensive Master’s in Public Administration degree may provide everything you’re looking for in your graduate education — and then some. For your convenience, we provided tuition rates for both in-state and out-of-state student, but we only awarded points and ranked each school based on the cost for in-state students.
Points:
Under $20,000: 3 points
$20,001 to $30,000: 2 points
$30,001 or more: 1 point
Student-to-Faculty Ratio
Although tuition rates are certainly important and should be carefully considered, keep in mind that money is not everything. As you narrow down the programs you are thinking about pursuing, figure out the type of environment in which you enjoy learning and what you are looking to get out of a program. For instance, a large public university might offer 10 or 15 different concentrations, while a small private college might offer one-on-one mentoring with a faculty member. There are positives and negatives to both large and small schools, but there is no doubt that the size of classes will have an effect on your academic experience. For this article, we awarded the most possible points to colleges and universities that reported class sizes of 10 or fewer students.
Points:
10:1 or lower: 3 points
11:1 to 15:1: 2 points
Higher than 15:1: 1 point
Ranking Top 25 Graduate Degree Programs in Public Administration
25. Liberty University
Lynchburg, Virginia
Points: 3
Program Website
Liberty University’s Helms School of Government offers a 36-credit-hour affordable online Master of Public Administration degree that can be completed in one and a half years. Available entirely online, courses are offered in eight-week sessions with eight different start dates per year, and students can choose from several areas of study that offer specialized knowledge and skills for particular fields. These concentrations include public and nonprofit management, law and public policy, healthcare, disaster management, business and government policy, and a general specialization. The program also offers students the opportunity to develop, write, and defend a master’s thesis in a specific area of interest.
Degree Options:
Master of Public Administration
In-State Tuition: $20,340
Out-of-State Tuition: $20,340
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 18:1
24. Concordia University-Wisconsin
Mequon, Wisconsin
Points: 4
Program Website
The affordable online MBA in Public Administration at Concordia University-Wisconsin is comprised of 39 credits of study and prepares graduates for careers as operations managers, education administrators, and public relations specialists. Available fully online, the faith-based program explores topics such as intergovernmental relations, program evaluation, budgeting, and public relations. Students also hone their perspective on programs, personnel, budgeting, and administrative law as well as increase their leadership skills and develop their ability to clearly communicate. Before graduating with their low cost online MBA degree, students complete a portfolio of what they have accomplished throughout the program.
Degree Options:
MBA in Public Administration
In-State Tuition: $28,041
Out-of-State Tuition: $28,041
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 11:1
23. Norwich University
Northfield, Vermont
Points: 4
Program Website
Norwich University Online confers a 36-credit-hour affordable online Master of Public Administration degree that is designed to help students develop the skills they need to effectively manage in an evolving and demanding system. Students take six courses, each of which lasts 11 weeks, and they may choose from nine concentrations such as nonprofit management, criminal justice and public safety, public administration leadership and crisis management, and public works and sustainability. Culminating experiences include a portfolio, a capstone project, and a one-week residential conference which complement the online coursework and provide an opportunity for students to benefit from face-to-face networking and collaboration. Norwich only admits a maximum of 15 students per class, and the program can be completed in as few as 18 months.
Degree Options:
Master of Public Administration
In-State Tuition: $25,884
Out-of-State Tuition: $25,884
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 13:1
22. Anna Maria College
Paxton, Massachusetts
Points: 4
Program Website
The affordable online Master of Public Administration at Anna Maria College helps students develop executive management and leadership skills with a focus on nonprofit and government organizations as well as on contemporary public policy issues. The online master’s curriculum lays the groundwork for critical public administration skills such as budget-planning, executive organization, and strategic management of public policy and human capital. Students can choose from diverse specializations in areas such as homeland security, fire and emergency services, emergency management, criminal justice, or general studies. The inexpensive online degree program culminates in an eight-week MPA capstone course in which students pick their topics, complete reports, and present their findings in a three- to five-minute video.
Degree Options:
Online Master of Public Administration (MPA)
In-State Tuition: $24,660
Out-of-State Tuition: $24,660
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 12:1
21. Brandman University
Irvine, California
Points: 4
Program Website
Brandman University’s affordable online Master of Public Administration prepares students to understand the principles of budgeting and finance, conduct research, analyze the political sources of political behavior and public policy, manage people, and apply the law to policy processes. The 36-credit online master’s curriculum consists of two segments: 27 credits in core courses and nine hours of electives or classes within an organizational leadership emphasis area. Topics to be studied include data analysis for decision-making, public policy analysis, public finance, public administration, and democracy, ethics, and leadership. Students also complete a seminar in organizational development and an action learning project prior to graduating.
Degree Options:
Master of Public Administration
In-State Tuition: $23,400
Out-of-State Tuition: $23,400
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 14:1
20. Park University
Parkville, Missouri
Points: 4
Program Website
The affordable online Master of Public Administration at Park University is a liberal arts-based, values-grounded graduate degree designed to help students develop their leadership skills. Through the online master’s curriculum, students build their governing expertise, critical thinking, decision-making capabilities, and knowledge base across nonprofit, industry, business, and government sectors. The low cost online master’s degree program is comprised of 36 hours of study, including 18 credits of required core courses and 12, 15, or 18 credits in an area of concentration. Available specializations include public management, project management, management information systems, global governance, disaster and emergency management, or criminal justice administration. All tracks focus on research and analysis, leadership development, ethical foundations, and public affairs methodology, concepts, and theory.
Degree Options:
Master of Public Administration
In-State Tuition: $20,160
Out-of-State Tuition: $20,160
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 15:1
19. University of North Carolina Pembroke
Pembroke, North Carolina
Points: 4
Program Website
The affordable online Master of Public Administration at the University of North Carolina Pembroke trains students to hold leadership positions within the nonprofit and public sectors, and students take 12 hours in a concentration such as health administration, criminal justice, emergency management, and public management. The online master’s curriculum is also comprised of 21 hours of core courses in budgeting and finance, policy studies, quantitative analysis, human resource administration and analytical methods as well as organizational behavior and leadership/administration in public affairs. Students also take two electives for a total of 39 hours of coursework; those without prior professional experience are required to complete an internship for a total of 42 hours of coursework.
Degree Options:
MPA Program
In-State Tuition: $19,587
Out-of-State Tuition: $44,014
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 16:1
18. University of South Florida
Tampa, Florida
Points: 4
Program Website
The School of Public Affairs in the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of South Florida confers an affordable online Master of Public Administration. The 45-credit-hour online master’s degree program can be completed within two years of full-time study; part-time students can earn their degree within three or four years. Students take core courses in areas such as public information management, human resources management, and policy design and implementation as well as public budgeting, research methods, and organization theory and leadership. The inexpensive online master’s degree program culminates in an integrative capstone course, and all students who are not currently working or who do not have five years of work experience in the field are required to complete a three-credit internship prior to graduating.
Degree Options:
Master of Public Administration (MPA)
In-State Tuition: $19,414
Out-of-State Tuition: $39,472
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 22:1
17. Florida International University
Miami, Florida
Points: 4
Program Website
Florida International University offers an affordable online Master of Public Administration that is comprised of 42 credit hours of study, including 24 credits in core courses and 18 credits in electives. The inexpensive online master’s program delves into key areas within the field of public administration, including human resources management and policy, policy analysis and program-planning, public finance and the budgetary process, and the economic, social, and political contexts of public administration. Through the elective component, students may specialize in comparative and international public administration, nonprofit and community development, homeland security and emergency management, public management, human resources management, or a related field. Students may also choose to pursue an internship in public administration to fulfill one of the elective requirements; those with fewer than three years of experience may be required to do so.
Degree Options:
Online Master of Public Administration
In-State Tuition: $19,136
Out-of-State Tuition: $42,070
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 25:1
16. San Diego State University
San Diego, California
Points: 4
Program Website
The Master of Public Administration at San Diego State University is a 16-month affordable online program designed for professionals working in managerial positions in criminal justice, urban planning, nonprofit administration, public administration, or related fields. The low cost online 36-credit curriculum is the same as the traditional program, yet the accelerated online degree is offered in six two-month modules. Areas of study include public personnel administration, public policy and administration development, methods of analysis, administrative theory, and financial management. Students are required to come to campus at the beginning and at the end of the program and complete a final capstone research course in the form of an applied research project.
Degree Options:
Master of Public Administration Online (MPA)
In-State Tuition: $18,900
Out-of-State Tuition: $18,900
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 27:1
15. Sam Houston State University
Huntsville, Texas
Points: 4
Program Website
Students pursuing the affordable online Master of Public Administration degree at Sam Houston State University may opt to specialize in either disaster and emergency management or other concentrations with permission of the graduate director. Students complete 36 hours of online coursework, and those who do not have job experience will be required to participate in an additional three-hour internship course. The inexpensive online master’s degree program develops students’ knowledge and skills in key areas such as public management, ethics, budgeting and finance, human resource management, organizational theory and behavior, and program evaluation. The disaster and emergency management concentration consists of studies in disaster resilience, decision-making, emergency management, and global disaster politics.
Degree Options:
Master of Public Administration
In-State Tuition: $18,018
Out-of-State Tuition: $18,018
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 23:1
14. Northern Michigan University
Marquette, Michigan
Points: 4
Program Website
The affordable online Master of Public Administration at Northern Michigan University is one of the top-ranked MPA programs in the U.S. and designed for both pre-service and in-service students. In addition to developing essential competencies in basic technical and methodological areas and expanding their theoretical understanding of public administration, students choose a concentration in an area such as public management, state and local government, human resource administration, or criminal justice. Within the 34- to 36-credit low cost master’s degree program, students complete core courses, classes within the concentration, electives, and either a thesis or capstone. Those without at least one year of relevant work experience must enroll in an internship prior to graduating from the program.
Degree Options:
Master of Public Administration
In-State Tuition: $16,592
Out-of-State Tuition: $16,592
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 20:1
13. University of North Dakota
Grand Forks, North Dakota
Points: 4
Program Website
The University of North Dakota offers an affordable online Master of Public Administration program that is comprised of 34 credit hours of study to complete within two years. Available entirely online, the inexpensive master’s degree program prepares students to address the strategic challenges facing nonprofit and government organizations. In addition to the general track, students may pursue a track in either social entrepreneurship or health administration. Areas of study include government and business, creation and management of social enterprises, public budgeting and financial analysis, administrative ethics in the public sector, and research methods. The program culminates in an MPA capstone, and graduate students with no relevant administrative experience are required to complete an internship prior to earning their degree; students with proven work experience will substitute an elective in place of an internship.
Degree Options:
Master of Public Administration
In-State Tuition: $16,558
Out-of-State Tuition: $16,558
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 18:1
12. Indiana State University
Terre Haute, Indiana
Points: 4
Program Website
Indiana State University provides an affordable online Master of Public Administration degree for working professionals looking to pursue graduate-level education for career advancement. Students complete either 36 or 39 credit hours of online coursework depending on whether they are required to complete an internship with a public agency. Full-time students can earn their degree in a little more than two years of study; most part-time students complete the program in three years. Core areas of study include budgeting, personnel administration, research methods and statistical analysis, and organizational behavior, and students may choose to complete an elective concentration in public health, human resources development, or criminology/criminal justice.
Degree Options:
Master of Public Administration (M.P.A.)
In-State Tuition: $14,832
Out-of-State Tuition: $29,124
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 22:1
11. University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Edinburg, Texas
Points: 4
Program Website
The Department of Public Affairs & Security Studies within the College of Liberal Arts at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley confers an accelerated affordable online Master of Public Administration degree. Coursework is robust, providing the latest trends, theories, and practice-based, real-world scenarios with the goal of helping students develop the skill set required for advanced positions within the field. The 36-credit-hour inexpensive master’s degree program is organized into seven-week modules that can be completed within one to two years. Students complete a three-hour capstone course, 15 hours of electives, and 18 hours of required courses in key areas such as public personnel administration, political leadership, budgeting and finance, policy implementation and program evaluation, scope and methods, and a seminar in public administration.
Degree Options:
MPA Accelerated Online Program
In-State Tuition: $13,998
Out-of-State Tuition: $29,190
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 19:1
10. University of Central Florida
Orlando, Florida
Points: 4
Program Website
The University of Central Florida’s College of Community Innovation and Education confers a 42-credit-hour affordable online Master of Public Administration degree. The low cost online master’s degree program focuses on financial management, organizational management, public policy, and strategic planning, preparing graduates for career advancement or first-time employment. Through the curriculum, students will experience real-world situations, incorporate service learning, cultivate their leadership skills, and develop community partnerships. Students may also pursue one of two online dual degree options in public administration and either nonprofit management or criminal justice. Graduates are prepared for careers as program analysts, nonprofit managers, and education administrators as well as city planners and managers, administrative services managers, and directors of education.
Degree Options:
Master of Public Administration, MPA
In-State Tuition: $13,747
Out-of-State Tuition: $29,182
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 30:1
9. University of West Georgia
Carrollton, Georgia
Points: 4
Program Website
The affordable online Master of Public Administration offered by the University of West Georgia is designed for students seeking a position in nonprofit or government agencies or for those who are currently working in the public service. The online master’s degree curriculum is comprised of 36 credits, including seven core courses in areas such as human resource management, administrative law and procedures, policy analysis and program evaluation, budgeting and financial management, organizational theory, and research methods. The inexpensive online master’s in public administration program culminates in a comprehensive research project that involves a research paper that analyzes a program or policy in public administration. Students with no experience in the field are required to complete an internship in public administration.
Degree Options:
Master of Public Administration
In-State Tuition: $12,282
Out-of-State Tuition: $12,282
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 20:1
8. Arkansas State University
Jonesboro, Arkansas
Points: 4
Program Website
The affordable online Master of Public Administration with a concentration in public management at Arkansas State University is designed to enhance the careers of public sector and law enforcement professionals with the goal of achieving executive-, director-, or management-level positions. In as few as 18 months, graduate students may complete the low cost online 36-credit-hour MPA program, including MPA core courses, co-requisite courses, and public management track courses in public information management, administrative behavior, public policy analysis and evaluation, and public financial management. The program culminates in an MPA capstone experience, and an internship is strongly encouraged for all pre-service students.
Degree Options:
Master of Public Administration (MPA) Public Management Track
In-State Tuition: $11,025
Out-of-State Tuition: $11,025
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 19:1
7. Belhaven University
Jackson, Mississippi
Points: 5
Program Website
Belhaven University’s affordable online Master of Public Administration degree is designed for the professional working adult and consists of 12 courses, each lasting eight weeks. Areas of study within the 36-credit-hour low cost online master’s degree program include public policy analysis, economics, executive leadership, administration of financial resource, research methods, and a management research project. Through the curriculum, students build on their current understanding of social, legal, political, and economic issues and develop problem-solving approaches to policy analysis and public management. In addition to completing core coursework, graduate students may choose to pursue a concentration in human resources. A research capstone is also required for graduation.
Degree Options:
Online Master of Public Administration
In-State Tuition: $19,800
Out-of-State Tuition: $19,800
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 11:1
6. Hamline University
Saint Paul, Minnesota
Points: 5
Program Website
Hamline University’s affordable online Master of Public Administration degree takes a theory-to-practice approach to learning, allowing students to immediately apply the skills and knowledge they have developed in the program. The low cost MPA program is available online with weekend residencies on Fridays and Saturdays every eight weeks, and students may earn their MPA in as few as 24 months. Core online MPA courses focus on topics such as administrative law, human resource management, fiscal management, public policy analysis, leadership, and data analytics and decision-making. Electives are chosen by the cohort, and the program culminates in a final capstone course. Online students benefit from working with a career advisor who helps guide them in developing their own individual career plans.
Degree Options:
Master of Public Administration
In-State Tuition: $19,656
Out-of-State Tuition: $19,656
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 13:1
5. Indiana Wesleyan University
Marion, Indiana
Points: 5
Program Website
The affordable online Master of Public Administration at Indiana Wesleyan University is comprised of 36 credit hours of coursework, including a 24-credit-hour core and a 12-credit-hour specialization. Organized into a cohort, students take six-week classes in research methods, financing public services, organizational management and behavior, and public policy processes and strategies, and they may choose from specializations in criminal justice, public management, and nonprofit leadership. The inexpensive online master’s degree program culminates in an MPA capstone experience in which students combine their work experience and future goals with the program-wide content area skills and knowledge they have developed. Graduates are prepared to assume management and leadership roles in federal, state, and local government.
Degree Options:
Master of Public Administration
In-State Tuition: $19,584
Out-of-State Tuition: $19,584
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 14:1
4. Grand Canyon University
Phoenix, Arizona
Points: 5
Program Website
Offered through the College of Humanities and Social Sciences at Grand Canyon University, the affordable online Master of Public Administration with an emphasis in government and policy explores ways of addressing and recognizing modern issues pertaining to human capital development, leadership, economics, program evaluation, and policy and governance. Available fully online, the inexpensive MPA program requires a total of 38 credits, and most classes are eight weeks in length. As a Christian university, GCU emphasizes the importance of servant leadership as it pertains to the creation of interdependence as well as the understanding of how federal, state, and local government agencies function.
Degree Options:
Master of Public Administration With an Emphasis in Government and Policy
In-State Tuition: $19,570
Out-of-State Tuition: $19,570
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 14:1
3. Troy University
Troy, Alabama
Points: 5
Program Website
Troy University confers an affordable online Master of Public Administration degree that equips graduates to rise to administrative, supervisory, and upper-level positions within nonprofit or government organizations. The low cost MPA is offered entirely online, on-campus, and through a hybrid option. Students can complete the required nine core courses and three concentration courses in as few as 15 months, and concentrations are available in international public administration, national security affairs, human resource management, nonprofit management, public health administration, and public management. Those who have not yet attained at least one year in a supervisory, technical, professional, or paraprofessional position related to nonprofit work or public administration are required to complete an internship.
Degree Options:
Master of Public Administration
In-State Tuition: $15,300
Out-of-State Tuition: $30,600
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 15:1
2. Sul Ross State University
Alpine, Texas
Points: 5
Program Website
At Sul Ross State University, the Behavioral & Social Sciences Department confers a 36-semester-credit-hour affordable online Master of Arts in Public Administration degree designed for students seeking careers in or currently employed in public service. In addition to taking online courses in public administration, graduate students must also complete at least nine to 12 semester credit hours of graduate-level courses in a related field and three to six semester credit hours of political science classes. Required courses cover topics in public policy analysis, intergovernmental relations, public budgeting and finance, scope and methods in social science, and public administration survey. Dual degrees in public administration and criminal justice or homeland security are also available.
Degree Options:
Master of Arts in Public Administration
In-State Tuition: $10,952
Out-of-State Tuition: $26,144
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 12:1
1. Wayland Baptist University
Plainview, Texas
Points: 6
Program Website
With the lowest student-to-faculty ratio on our list, our best affordable online Master of Public Administration at Wayland Baptist University emphasizes practical expertise regarding problems facing nonprofits, community organizations, and government bodies. In order to tailor the low cost online master’s degree program to meet their individual interests and professional goals, students can choose from specializations in justice administration, homeland security and emergency management, government administration, and alternative dispute resolution. The inexpensive online MPA program is comprised of 36 hours of coursework, including 18 hours in core classes and 18 hours of classes within the specialization. Required areas of study include public administration, research methods, public finance, legal environment, ethics, and a culminating public administration capstone course.
Degree Options:
Master of Public Administration
In-State Tuition: $16,740
Out-of-State Tuition: $16,740
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 8:1
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the Career Options for a Master’s in Public Administration Degree?
Graduate students who earn a Master of Public Administration degree are prepared for a number of different career paths in both the nonprofit and public sectors. Successful candidates will need to be able to critically analyze information and data with the goal of improving the efficiency of organizations and programs as well as be able to show strong leadership capabilities with solid communication skills. In addition, a commitment to maximizing the impact of nonprofit and government programs and compassion for the public good make graduate students ideal candidates in positions such as:
- Management Analyst: These professionals, also known as management consultants, are responsible for finding the different ways that organizations or businesses can maximize their efficiency. They use best practices, data, and research to identify and solve challenges faced by these entities, and they make recommendations to board members and directors in the form of comprehensive reports. Although most management analysts are employed by organizations, some branch out and work for themselves in their own consulting firms.
- Social and Community Service Manager: These professionals are responsible for supervising people who provide community services while also developing and planning programs that communities and neighborhoods need. For instance, they may analyze information and data to monitor the effectiveness of initiatives and make changes if necessary, they may plan outreach strategies to inform the public of how their organizations can help, or they may try to receive funding for these communities in the form of grants.
- Urban or Regional Planner: These professionals are responsible for creating use plans for land that affect a region’s or city’s community development. Urban planners review site plans, conduct research, analyze data, and make recommendations regarding the denial or approval of requests for land development. They must have a strong understanding of environmental regulations, ordinances, and complex building codes, and they often play a critical role in neighborhood and city revitalization efforts. Most urban or regional planners are employed by a state government or municipal agency.
How Much Can You Earn in This Field?
Students who have attained a master’s degree may earn a considerably higher salary than individuals with a bachelor’s degree. However, keep in mind that although your salary might not be lucrative when you first enter the field, jobs in public administration tend to pay more as a professional gains more hands-on, real-world experience and continues to expand his or her connections, education, and knowledge. Salaries also vary depending on your experience, leadership abilities, and location. Let’s take a look at some of the average earnings for occupations we mentioned earlier.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, management analysts earned $83,610 per year as of May 2018. The highest 10 percent earned more than $152,760, while the lowest 10 percent earned less than $48,360. The top-paying industries for this occupation were:
- Technical, scientific, and professional services: $89,370
- Management of enterprises and companies: $83,410
- Insurance and finance: $83,090
- Government: $78,750
The BLS also reports that urban and regional planners earned $73,050 per year as of May 2018. The top 10 percent earned more than $114,170, while the lowest 10 percent earned less than $45,180. For this occupation, the highest-paying industries included:
- Federal government: $96,420
- Engineering, architectural, and related services: $78,450
- State government, excluding hospitals and education: $74,420
- Technical, scientific, and management consulting services: $73,470
- Local government, excluding hospitals and education: $71,150
Social and community service managers earned less, according to the BLS, reporting an average yearly salary of $65,320 in May 2018. The top 10 percent earned more than $111,150, while the lowest 10 percent earned less than $40,720. Interestingly, the top-paying industries for this occupation were as follows:
- Local government, excluding hospitals and education: $83,660
- Professional, civic, grantmaking, religious, and similar organizations: $70,080
- Residential care and nursing facilities: $61,940
- Vocational rehabilitation and community services: $59,940
- Family and individual services: $59,400
What Will You Study in an Online Master’s Program in Public Administration?
Depending on the concentrations the school offers as well as the program itself, students may take a variety of classes in their graduate public administration degree. Although most colleges and universities offer the same or similar required fundamental courses, specialization-focused classes and electives will differ from one program to the next. Below are five common areas of emphasis or specialization you might find in an online MPA degree.
- Human Resources: This specialization explores benefits and compensation, employee relations, and workforce management as they relate to public and nonprofit organizations. Students take classes in financial management, economics, organizational behavior, and leadership.
- Health Administration: This concentration looks at the policies that impact the delivery of and access to healthcare. Classes investigate how the government’s political decisions affect healthcare, how populations rely on employers for insurance, and how health insurance regulations are developed and implemented.
- Public Management: This specialization teaches students how leadership allows organizations to be successful. Students focus on technology, day-to-day management, and strategic planning resources and skills that private, public, and nonprofit leaders require to be successful.
- Environmental Policy: This concentration allows students to understand how to manage the planet’s resources through forest conversation, energy efficiency, watershed management, and the handling and disposal of dangerous or hazardous substances. Classes look at environmental risk analysis, the physical and natural sciences, and environmental policy.
- International Public Management: This specialization involves the study of bureaucratic structures within local and global public agencies. It involves coursework in planning and budgeting, intergovernmental management and systems, information systems, strategic management, and human resource management.
In addition, since the public administration industry encompasses a wide range of career paths and disciplines, the curriculum can also differ from school to school. However, five classes one can expect to take while earning an online master’s degree in public administration include:
- Fundamentals of Nonprofit Management
- Organizational Leadership
- Public Policy Analysis
- Strategic Planning
- Budgeting and Planning
Although most graduate students may complete the MPA program within two years, there are factors that can affect the time to completion, including whether you attend part- or full-time, the availability of courses, practicum and internship requirements, and whether the program involves individually paced learning or a cohort. When taking everything above into consideration, it can be overwhelming and sometimes confusing to try to choose an online MPA program to meet your career goals and academic needs. However, we hope that the above list of the top 25 most affordable online Master’s of Public Administration degrees can serve as a useful starting point as you begin to research the programs available to you.
AS Staff
This concludes our ranking of the top 25 most affordable online Master’s of Public Administration degrees.
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