Best Online Master’s in Public Administration (MPA) Programs

If you are curious whether earning a master’s in public administration online degree could help you transform your organization, advance your career, or qualify for a new job, this guide may help. Below, you can learn more about online MPA programs, application and degree requirements, and available courses and degree concentrations. Additionally, you can learn more about the careers graduates may qualify for with an online MPA.

A master’s in public administration can help you advance your public service career by qualifying you for a leadership or management position. For instance, an MPA degree-holder can become a city planner, government analyst or program manager, or nonprofit administrator. These professionals work at the local, state, and federal levels of government; for nonprofit organizations; and in industries such as healthcare and emergency management. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, urban and regional planners earn a median annual salary of $73,050. These positions are expected to experience 11% growth from 2018-2028.

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

Public administration is an in-demand field. Between 2019 and 2029, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects 4% job growth for emergency management specialists, 17% growth for social and community service managers, and 32% growth for medical and health service managers.

A master’s degree in public administration requires a significant time commitment. Many programs take 2-3 years to complete. However, students balancing their course schedules with work or internship obligations may not be able to commit to a full-time schedule. Pursuing an online master’s degree in public administration can provide a realistic alternative for learners looking for more flexible options.

Some graduates wish to supplement their degree with additional certifications and credentials that align with their desired roles. For example, those looking to work as emergency management directors may earn the certified emergency manager credential. Individuals looking to work as health information professionals can pursue the health information management certification offered by the American Health Information Management Association.

Find the best online master’s in public administration programs.

Earning a master’s in public administration online prepares graduates for careers in federal, state, and local government or at nonprofit organizations. Some programs qualify graduates to enter public service, while others help experienced professionals advance their careers. A master’s degree in this field enables graduates to hold a leadership position or land a job in a specialized area, such as budgeting, fundraising, procurement, or human resources.

Online MPA programs cover leadership and management challenges relevant to the public sector. Course topics include budgeting and financial strategies, ethical issues, law, and public policy formulation and implementation. Most programs aim to equip graduates with the skills needed to manage and evaluate government or nonprofit programs, employees, and budgets.

Graduates of online MPA programs can serve as leaders in private or nonprofit organizations and as government officials. Some pursue a management specialization, such as healthcare, finance, information technology, or human resources.

This course traces the evolution of public administration as a profession and introduces the basic skills that public administrators, nonprofit leaders, and public policy analysts require in their positions. Students explore theories, practices, and methods of modern public administration. They also examine ways public administrators confront contemporary issues and challenges.

This course examines budgeting processes at the local, state, and local levels and how expenditures define governmental priorities. Topics include evaluation of revenue streams, budgeting tools, and budget creation. Students may also learn about nonprofit financial management, government procurement processes, tax regulations, debt financing, and financial valuation.

Students learn about critical human resource functions, such as recruitment and hiring, employee compensation and benefits, workforce development, retention, and discipline as they apply to the public sector or a nonprofit organization. This course explores current trends and issues, such as motivation, diversity, and legal constraints.

To prepare for organizational leadership roles, students analyze the characteristics of effective organizations and the personal, interpersonal, and group factors that impact organizational behavior. Topics include decision-making structures, managing conflict, and motivational strategies.

This course introduces the policymaking process and explores the fundamentals of policy formulation, implementation, and analysis. Students analyze current policy debates and issues, learn about the role of public administrators in policy implementation, and explore tools and strategies for policy analysis.

This concentration prepares students for leadership roles at nonprofit organizations and public service agencies. Students gain skills in areas such as board development, human resources, budgeting and financial management, fundraising, marketing and communication, volunteer management, and strategic planning.

This specialization prepares public administrators to analyze policy needs and create innovative policy solutions to meet those needs. Courses explore factors that impact policymaking and teach the analytical, leadership, and practical skills needed to design, implement, evaluate, and modify public policy.

Students wishing to specialize in human resources develop advanced expertise in areas such as workforce development, compensation strategies, recruitment and retention, and human resource planning. Courses in this specialization explore relevant laws, policies, and regulations, as well as the impact of market factors and labor relations.

Students prepare for leadership positions as healthcare administrators. They learn to manage the fiscal and administrative challenges facing the public and private healthcare organizations. Graduates gain expertise in areas such as budgeting, human resources, and strategic planning for healthcare organizations.

Students in this specialization learn public administration theories, methods, and skills that are specifically relevant to urban planning and management. This specialization prepares graduates to work as urban planners and administrators, oversee service delivery systems, and coordinate services with other levels of government.

MPA graduates typically pursue public service or nonprofit careers, working as program managers, agency administrators, policy analysts, budget analysts, nonprofit administrators, and healthcare administrators. These positions usually do not require licensure. MPA degree-holders often qualify for career advancement at their current place of employment. Alternatively, this degree can also help you change careers and/or get your first job in a government agency or nonprofit organization.

Master’s in public administration programs emphasize leadership and management skills. As a result, graduates often qualify for senior-level positions. However, to pursue an executive-level position, conduct research, or teach at the college level, it may be necessary to earn a doctorate.

Many leadership roles in public administration are especially lucrative. For example, the BLS reports that social service managers earn a median salary of $69,600 per year, while those employed by local government organizations, excluding educational facilities and hospitals, earn a median annual salary of $87,720.

Emergency management specialists earn a median salary of $76,250 per year with the opportunity to earn more in specific positions. For example, those working for scientific and technical service organizations earn a median of $106,570.

Additionally, medical and health service managers earn a median salary of $104,280 per year.

MPA programs teach students the leadership, administrative, and analytical skills needed to drive positive change at the organizational, local, state, or federal level. Students develop skills in financial management, human resource management, and strategic planning. They also practice applying these skills to practical situations. This degree can prepare you to change jobs or advance your career.

With an MPA, you can qualify for a job in the public, private, or nonprofit sector. Graduates work as policy analysts, program managers, and budget analysts. They can also hold positions as leaders at all levels of government, in private companies, and in nonprofit organizations. Degree-holders serve as city managers, state agency heads, and nonprofit administrators, for example.

This degree hones your management, communication, and analytical skills. It can qualify you for positions with greater responsibility and input. Most MPA programs require students to apply their skills through research or client-based capstone projects. Such requirements can help you demonstrate your skills and abilities to employers.

MBA and MPA degrees require similar coursework and teach many of the same skills. Both degrees prepare graduates for leadership positions. If you plan to work in the private sector for a business or for-profit corporation, an MBA may be the better choice. However, an MPA provides better preparation for individuals planning to pursue a career in government, social services, or the nonprofit sector.

Effective leadership and management skills are essential in organizations of all types. An MPA can help you tackle the challenges faced by your organization by equipping you with fundamental public administration skills, such as competencies related to financial management, human resource management, and policy analysis. If you enjoy finding ways to make programs work better for people, an MPA can help.

Looking for something else? Explore these other online degrees.

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