Public Administration Graduate Programs

Master of Public Administration Programs

Master of Public Administration

The Master of Public Administration (MPA) program prepares students for leadership in public service and community improvement. The 54-credit curriculum integrates theory with practical experience, covering topics like public policy, budgeting, analytic methods, and organizational management. Students enhance their knowledge with a variety of Skill Development and Elective courses. The program includes a hands-on project, The Public Service Capstone. Listed as PA 509, this course affords you the opportunity to practice and grow essential career skills and engage in reflective practice while helping to build the capacity of a public, nonprofit or healthcare organization. It is a unique opportunity to let your knowledge serve the city through community partnership. 

Executive Master of Public Administration

The Executive Master of Public Administration (EMPA) is a 21-month program for experienced professionals, designed to develop advanced leadership skills for tackling public challenges. It features a cohort-based learning model, distinguished faculty, and intensive field experiences. The program emphasizes reflective practice, leadership competencies, and cross-sector problem-solving. Admission requires 10+ years of work experience, and students engage in both domestic and international fieldwork to enhance their understanding of governance and equity.

Interdisciplinary Program

Master of Public Policy

The Hatfield School of Government's leading-edge Master of Public Policy degree is designed to meet the growing demand for public policy professionals. The degree is built on the disciplinary foundations public policy studies within the fields of political science and public administration.

Graduate Certificates

Graduate Certificate in Collaborative Governance

In the fully-online Graduate Certificate in Collaborative Governance, students will apply collaborative governance theory and practice to real-world, community-based problems in 16 credit hours in just 5 terms. This unique certificate program will culminate with a practicum experience where students are mentored by faculty experts in the field.

Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit and Public Management

The Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit and Public Management is a 21-credit (7-course) certificate program designed to provide existing and aspiring middle managers in nonprofit and public organizations with the knowledge and skills necessary to be successful in carrying out their administrative responsibilities. After completing this coursework, some students opt to apply to the full MPA program; credits taken in the GCNPM program may count toward the MPA degree.

The following programs have been placed on moratorium 

For various strategic reasons, the PA faculty has placed our Master of Nonprofit Leadership (MNL) and Graduate Certificate for Energy Policy (GCEP) on moratorium, which is not the same as program elimination. This designation equates to a pause (up to three years). No new students will be admitted to these two programs effective immediately.

• Master of Nonprofit Leadership (MNL)
• Graduate Certificate in Energy Policy and Management (GCEP)

The suspension of admissions will allow us to explore ways to strengthen and restructure these programs to ensure their sustainability and alignment with evolving academic and professional landscapes.