Ready to guide real change through purposeful public service and leadership? Gain a comprehensive understanding of modern governance, public-private partnerships, diversity and inclusion initiatives, and economic forces that shape policy with a Master of Public Administration degree.
Modality
MPA Program Overview
Our Master of Public Administration degree provides you with a thorough education that's personalized to you. With collaborative discussions, community-based projects, and a 10-week capstone experience, this program cultivates a learning community that will support and prepare you to excel in a public or nonprofit sector career where you'll make a difference in many different communities.
This affordable, convenient program does not require a GRE score. Coursework is 100% online to bring interactive and collaborative learning directly to you.
Online MPA Program Highlights
This online MPA program builds a comprehensive understanding of DEIB principles within the public realm, which is vital for leading diverse teams, creating inclusive policies, and promoting equity within the public or nonprofit sectors. Through an emphasis on leadership, problem-solving, policy-making, and service, you'll be equipped with the skills to navigate today's diverse public sector environment and gain confidence in your ability to:
- Evaluate current policies, debate proposed reforms, and analyze real-world impacts and challenges
- Analyze ethical dilemmas administrators face related to transparency, accountability, and public interest
- Discuss strategies to promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging and how these can be applied in local/state governments
- Examine economic policies and their impacts on local economies
- Assess different public-private partnership models and understand how to improve their effectiveness
- Develop budgets for departments/programs and strategically prioritize needs with limited resources
- Engage community members and leaders to understand diverse needs and improve inclusion
You'll engage in hands-on experience in this program that will help you gain the necessary expertise to:
- Design community initiatives, such as public health campaigns, new parks, or city planning projects
- Partner with real nonprofit and public organizations
- Develop community safety programs to address concerns like drug abuse or youth crime by collaborating with local leaders
- Create budget proposals for local departments
MPA Tuition Information
*See curriculum sheet for a breakdown of credits and credit ranges.
MPA Concentrations
Our online MPA program can be custom-tailored to a range of industries. Concentrations are not optional — students must choose one to complete the program.
MPA concentrations and degree options include:
Course List
MPA courses cover contemporary issues and innovative management solutions designed by subject matter experts currently serving in public administration roles or closely working with public administrators. Featured courses include:
- Foundations of Public Administration
- Foundations of Public Policy
- Public Administration and Technology
- Economics in Public Administration
Prospective graduate degree students for online programs offered through Cambridge College Global must satisfy the following requirements plus any program-specific requirements your program may have.
- Complete and sign the online application.
- Pay the application fee. Pay your $50 ($100 for international students) application fee by the term start date.
- Send official transcripts. Maildirectly to Cambridge College in a sealed, unopened envelope. Learn How to Send Transcripts. Required degrees must be from accredited colleges or universities.
- Master's and most graduate certificate programs require an earned bachelor's degree.
- Post-master's certificates and CAGS require an earned master's degree.
- International transcripts must be translated and evaluated by an approved agency. See all international student requirements
- Send your résumé and work experience. Send your resume that details your education and work experience, including how they pertain to your career goals. Four years of work experience is required for fully online Cambridge College Global graduate programs.
- Submit your personal statement. Write a 250-word, typed, double-spaced essay describing your professional experience, goals and objectives for graduate study. How do you expect your graduate studies to enhance your future career?
- Complete an interview. You’ll have an interview with Admissions, generally by phone.
Careers in Public Administration
Our online Master of Public Administration is designed for the passionate and community-minded individual who sees the bigger picture of societal structures. It's the perfect program for an entry or mid-level public/nonprofit professional looking to build expertise across sectors, enhance planning skills, and lead with a focus on community empowerment to make systems-level change.
This master's degree program prepares you for many different kinds of public policy and social services careers, with the median annual wage for those who choose this path of study being $50,000.1 The top industry for people with a public policy and social services degree is community and social services occupations, which has an average annual salary of $49,380.2
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2017, national employment for nonprofits was 12.5 million, or 10.2% of all private sector jobs.3
12.5 million
Number of nationwide nonprofit jobs in 20173
$50,000
The median annual wage for public policy and social services industry in 20211
1 Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Field of degree: Public policy and social services, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/field-of-degree/public-policy-and-social-services/public-policy-and-social-services-field-of-degree.htm (visited January 2, 2024).
2 Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Community and Social Service Occupations, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/home.htm (visited January 2, 2024).
3 Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Commissioner's Corner, Celebrating National Nonprofit Day with BLS Data, https://bls.gov/blog/2023/celebrating-national-nonprofit-day-with-bls-data.htm (visited January 2, 2024).
Public Administration Jobs
This master's degree program prepares you for a wide range of careers in the federal, state, city, county, nonprofit, and private sectors. Graduates will be equipped with a comprehensive understanding of the political, legal, ethical, economic, and social climate to lead and manage in the public interest. Job titles you may be eligible for with an MPA include:
- Government official or administrator
- Nonprofit executive director
- City manager/assistant city manager
- Public policy analyst
- Human resources director
- Legislative analyst
- Program manager
- Budget analyst
- Urban and regional planner
- Grant writer
- Public affairs specialist
- Community outreach coordinator
- Emergency management director
- Public health administrator
- Economic development specialist/coordinator
- Transportation planner
- Environmental policy analyst
- Housing and urban development specialist
Faculty Spotlight
Anita M. Archambeau
DPA
Program Chair and Instructor
Anita Archambeau is a seasoned Planning, Policy, and Land Use Consultant with an impressive track record of fostering development projects and influencing policy decisions. With a career spanning two decades, Anita has lent her expertise to many private and public entities, facilitating the progression from preliminary plans to the execution of final plans. Her vast knowledge of codes and regulations has been a cornerstone in her ability to navigate the complex landscape of land use and...