Best Online Master's in Public Ad­min­is­tra­tion Top Consensus Ranked Online MPA Programs

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Online Masters in Public Administration

An Online Master’s in Public Administration program provides a variety of rewarding career choices. The MPA degree allows graduates to make an impact on society through the management of important issues and problems that affect the general public. Specifically, online MPA degrees provide robust educational foundations for public policy managerial and leadership positions in nonprofit and public sectors. Graduates of these degrees go on to work in government agencies, nonprofits, public management, health and human services, and nongovernmental organizations.

Graduate students seeking a Master’s in Public Administration, online or on-campus, receive the approved professional credentials for public service that professionals wanting to advance into mid-level and upper-level management positions need. Any MPA program worth its salt will be one that delivers the knowledge of values, practices, roles, and skills that will help students become ethical, inclusive, intelligent, and creative leaders in public service through a practical and innovative curriculum. Graduate students should expect to engage with faculty, form community partnerships, and have access to a vibrant alumni network.

Online Master’s in Public Administration students will build a solid foundation of core competencies focused on management within the field of public service. This degree’s curriculum will include core business management topics, similar to an online MBA. These topics include human capital management strategies, the role of strategic planning and management, budgeting, and accounting. But the curriculum will also be particular to the public sector, with topics such as the dynamics and structures of public service organizations, leadership ethics, and value-based problem-solving techniques. They will also cover financial management of nonprofit and public organizations, statistical tools for conducting research and analyzing data, and effective management practices for government and nonprofit leaders.

Graduates from an Online MPA will be equipped to lead at all levels of government and in the nonprofit sector. The Online Master’s in Public Administration is an exciting program that has countless benefits for distance learners. Here are 25 of the very best programs in this field of study.

Methodology

To find the best Online Master’s in Public Administration programs, schools offering distance-based MPA and EMPA programs were examined. These programs were ranked upon their reputation, convenience, and affordability.

Reputation

To find a consensus on each program’s reputation and prestige, data was combined from US News and World Report, The Princeton Review, and each school’s College Consensus Score. This data was averaged and placed on a 100-point scale. The Reputation Score for each online MPA attributes to 33% of the final ranking score.

Convenience

Each MPA’s convenience was calculated from two factors: whether it can be completed in a 100% online format, and if the GMAT/GRE test score requirement is waived or omitted during the admissions process. Each MPA’s Convenience Score attributes to 33% of the final ranking score.

Affordability

The affordability for each MPA is correlated to the base tuition. All financial data was taken from each individual university’s website. The tuition was inverted and placed on a 100-point scale. The MPA’s Affordability Score attributes to 33% of the final ranking score.

The School of Public Administration at the University of Central Florida offers an Online Master of Public Administration. UCF understands that when a distance learner invests in her career by earning a MPA, she’s not just on her way to being a better leader; she’s also creating limitless opportunities for herself and the public service she provides. Focused on strategic planning, financial management, public policy, organizational management, and more, this high-powered MPA currently available at UCF Online will prepare graduate students for employment and career advancement. The coursework incorporates service learning, provides real-world experiences, develops community partnerships, and cultivates leadership skills. UCF’s online MPA program is accredited by the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration and is ranked among some of the nation’s best by U.S. News & World Report. Consisting of 42 credit hours, this 100% online program in Public Policy features a tuition rate of well below $15,000.

Affordability Score
91.31
Convenience Score
100.00
Reputation Score
91.73

The University of South Dakota offers an Online Executive Master of Public Administration at the College of Arts and Sciences. This degree’s primary purpose is to solidify the administrative competencies of public service professionals who have committed to leading nonprofit and public organizations with personal integrity, respect for human dignity, professional competence, and constitutional principles. The 100% online EMPA is the perfect fit for seasoned public service professionals wanting to advance their grasp of administration in public and nonprofit organizations. To this end, graduate students form the essential skills needed to offer effective leadership, change movement, communication, and innovation in the public and nonprofit organizations of the twenty-first century. USD’s online distance learning graduate degree in Public Administration offers a curriculum based on core professional competencies, which guarantee that graduates of the EMPA are ready to lead and manage organizations. Skills like participating in the public policy process, analyzing, synthesizing, and making decisions and articulating and applying a public service perspective.

Affordability Score
91.07
Convenience Score
100.00
Reputation Score
88.34

The Graduate & Professional Studies Department at McDaniel College provides an Online Master of Science in Public Administration and Policy. McDaniel’s 100% online degree equips graduate students to become thoughtful and insightful leaders within their community. Course instructors expose students to the various facets of public administration, policy planning, and governing. Graduates of the program will move on to become competent and skilled directors in any public organization by learning from seasoned practitioners. Key outcomes of the program include students learning how to manage human and financial resources in nonprofit and public organizations. They will also form and articulate personal leadership identities and values as they relate to the position of a public administrator and participate in the policy process through development, execution, and evaluation of public programs and policy. Incoming students will champion the 100% online format and the opportunity to graduate in just two years. Courses are available in eight-week terms with two courses offered per semester.

Affordability Score
86.43
Convenience Score
100.00
Reputation Score
91.22

An Online Master of Public Administration is available at Villanova University’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. The remarkable online degree delivers the same curriculum, faculty, and content as the on-campus program, with the bonus of a 100% online structure. Working professionals can complete this online program in just two years. Packaged as a 36-credit hour powerhouse, the online MPA provides the knowledge of values, practices, roles, and skills that will help working professionals prepare to become a creative, ethical, inclusive, and intelligent leaders in public service. An innovative and practical curriculum, vibrant alumni network, engaged faculty, and community partnerships are just some of the components that make this an incredible degree. Graduate students in this program will gain a solid foundation of core competencies centered on strategic planning and management, preparing them to lead in the nonprofit sector and at all levels of government. The tuition rate for this degree at Villanova University is between $30,000 and $35,000.

Affordability Score
70.61
Convenience Score
100.00
Reputation Score
96.38

The College of Business and Public Administration at the University of North Dakota provides an Online Master of Public Administration. Program designers have made it a priority of helping graduate students establish their credentials as public policy leaders with this online degree from a top institution. Nonprofit organizations and governments face a plethora of complex management and policy issues. Graduates of UND’s Master of Public Administration learn how to navigate those issues through a stellar curriculum and impressive interface. As each course has been made available on campus and online, students can study while keeping their current professional positions. Students attending on-campus and those streaming their courses via the Internet can interact with faculty members and other students. Convenience and flexibility are the names of the game as distance learners can pursue a top-ranked degree no matter where you live – all while paying in-state tuition. The tuition rate for this 36-credit hour degree sits well below $20,000, allowing for lots of bang with the academic buck.

Affordability Score
88.01
Convenience Score
75.00
Reputation Score
100.00

An Online Master of Public Administration is currently available at the School of Public Service at DePaul University. Distance learners enrolled in this exemplary online MPA can expect to be well-prepared for a leadership role within the public sector. Graduate students will develop the critical management skills they need to succeed in a public service career by getting exposed to the issues of ethical organizational leadership, public finance and budgeting, human resource management, and public policy design and analysis. Graduate students looking for convenience and options will also want to look into the School of Public Service’s specializations that accompany this program, including Emergency Management, Public Management, Metropolitan and Urban Affairs, and International Public Management. Each course of this 52-credit hour program is offered in the evening on the Loop Campus and 100% online. This MPA can be completed in just two years with one additional quarter by following a program schedule of two classes per quarter.

Affordability Score
66.51
Convenience Score
100.00
Reputation Score
91.96

An Online Master of Public Administration is provided by the College of Liberal & Fine Arts at Tarleton State University. The 36-credit hour program equips graduate students with skills and knowledge that will help them process a wide range of subjects and disciplines related to the Public Sector. Coursework highlights of the 100% online MPA curriculum include Public Administration, Intergovernmental Relations, Human Resource Management, Budgeting and Finance, Public Policy, Organizational Behavior, and Advanced Ethics in Public Administration. The Master of Public Administration at Tarleton State University will give graduates a unique skill set applicable to the many fields related to Public Administration. Upon graduating from this exemplary online program, professionals will be well-versed in the ability to implement policies and run programs related to Public Administration. They will build a solid foundation and keen awareness of budgeting, management, policy/law, and legal processes, and deal with a wide range of issues and disciplines related to the Public Sector.

Affordability Score
100.00
Convenience Score
100.00
Reputation Score
31.60

An Online Master of Public Administration is currently offered at Columbus State University’s College of Letters and Sciences. The university has formatted this MPA as a degree for students with professional goals in step with public service in the areas of government agencies, law enforcement, health organizations, and justice administration, as well as the private sector and not-for-profit organizations. Columbus State University Public Administration Program’s mission is to provide professional learning and leadership skills for responsive, effective, and efficient public service needed for professionals preparing for and currently serving in public service careers. The 100% online program structure is formulated to accommodate graduate students presently leading in the public sector as well as those seeking entry-level positions by providing classes in the evenings and through online programming. Columbus State University’s Public Administration Program offers curricular tracks in Criminal Justice and Government Administration. The tuition rate for this program is well below $10,000, making it the most affordable degree within this ranking.

Affordability Score
96.57
Convenience Score
100.00
Reputation Score
29.73

The College of Public Affairs and Administration at the University of Illinois at Springfield provides an Online Master of Public Administration. Program features include the opportunity for graduate students to participate in interactive, dynamic, and diverse online learning environments as they satisfy all program requirements via the Internet. The 100% online format enables distance learners to complete course work utilizing the latest networked information technologies for instant access to educational materials, resources, and advisors, with no on-campus visits to Springfield required. The 36-hour MPA online program adheres to the same curriculum as the on-campus degree, with a few minor exceptions. A Graduate Certificate in Management of Nonprofit Organizations and a Graduate Certificate in Community Planning are also provided online for convenience and flexibility. Core courses within the stellar degree include Information for Decision Making, Public Policy for Managers, Human Resource Management, Budget and Finance, Analytical Tools, Organization Dynamics, and Introduction to the Profession.

Affordability Score
91.93
Convenience Score
100.00
Reputation Score
36.64

Old Dominion University provides an Online Master of Public Administration through the Strome College of Business. Business professionals already working in the public sector will benefit significantly from ODU’s online MPA. The degree has been constructed by program architects to provide graduate students with the skills, knowledge, and abilities they need to advance their promising careers. Those new to the public sector can leverage this 100% online degree to build a foundation for future leadership success. Curriculum writers have designed the program to enhance distance learners’ knowledge and competencies within five context areas. The degree stresses public management processes, including personal systems and public budgeting, organizational design behavior and processes, ethical, political, and legal concepts and issues of public administration, quantitative and qualitative analysis techniques, and policy analysis and program evaluation. The 33-credit hour program at Old Dominion features a tuition rate of just over $20,000.

Affordability Score
83.28
Convenience Score
100.00
Reputation Score
42.53

The College of Humanities, Education and Social Sciences at Delaware State University provides an Online Master of Public Administration. Students enrolled in this professional Master’s degree develop the professional and analytic skills they will need to serve in management roles in the nonprofit and public sectors. MPA students typically attain the knowledge and application of policy analysis, program evaluation, leveraging technology, public and nonprofit budgeting, management, human resources management, and strategic planning for organizational advancement. Delaware State University’s MPA is unique in that the emphasis is on community empowerment and civic engagement. While distance learners develop the skills required for a Master of Public Administration, they also develop the tenacity to work alongside communities while empowering individuals and organizations as agents of healthy and sustaining development. The 100% online MPA at Delaware State University allows graduate students to advance their careers while simultaneously advancing community interests. To this end, distance learners will get equipped with practical skills they will rely on to assess community contexts, serve as agents of community change, engage with community members, and construct leadership capacities, among others.

Affordability Score
89.66
Convenience Score
100.00
Reputation Score
32.05

The College of Graduate and Professional Studies at Indiana State University currently features an Online Master’s in Public Administration. University leaders understand that graduate students want to implement social and public policies that will result in improving the health and lives of the general public. With Indiana State University’s Online MPA, distance learners will be prepared for leadership roles in government and the nonprofit, public, and private sectors. Distance learners can choose specializations in three other online master’s degrees at Indiana State, including criminology/criminal justice, public health, and human resources development. Students enrolled in this program will gain hands-on experience through a three-credit-hour internship within a public agency. The program concludes with a capstone course offered by the College of Graduate and Professional Studies expert faculty in the political science department. Program length is set at 36-credit hours. Students needing the internship experience to satisfy program requirements will add three hours to their course load.

Affordability Score
89.90
Convenience Score
100.00
Reputation Score
30.46

The Hugo Wall School of Public Affairs at Wichita State University provides an Online Master of Public Administration. Program facilitators have given distance learners the chance to connect with their community’s needs while pursuing the MPA program at Wichita State. With an emphasis on leadership in both nonprofit and public organizations worldwide, the on-campus and online MPA program is an ideal fit for professionals wanting to advance their careers. The 39-42-credit hour program combines theory and application in public policy, public management, and public finance. Students get prepared for positions of leadership in nonprofit and civic organizations. With a completely online option, distance learners will never have to visit the school’s campus in Wichita, Kansas. Graduates of this program currently serve in diverse careers as department heads, program managers, city managers, finance directors, agency planners, and budget and management analysts. An exciting and career-boosting certificate in Nonprofit Management, Public Finance, City and County Management, or Economic Development is folded in as part of the degree requirements.

Affordability Score
89.07
Convenience Score
100.00
Reputation Score
30.07

Clemson University’s College of Behavioral, Social, and Health Sciences provides an Online Master of Public Administration. Nearly thirty years ago, the Master of Public Administration program began enrolling students through Clemson University’s Graduate School. Over the years, the university and the program as a whole have grown, with Clemson now ranking among the nation’s best public universities, according to U.S. News & World Report. Smart Money magazine ranks Clemson within the top ten as one of the best returns for educational investment. Clemson’s 100% online MPA program moved to the interactive online format in 2009 and currently calls the College of Behavioral, Social, and Health Sciences its academic headquarters. The online structure sets students up for success with more significant personal and professional flexibility while still allowing them to have face-to-face learning experiences while participating in group activities. Clemson’s online format has also provided the Clemson MPA program with the chance to develop from a regional onsite program to a national program.

Affordability Score
74.08
Convenience Score
75.00
Reputation Score
95.70

Lindenwood University’s School of Humanities provides an Online Master of Public Administration. One unique quality about this 36-credit hour program is that it is delivered within an exclusively online format. Graduate students taking a full-time course load of six hours per term can complete their degree in as few as 15 months. It is common knowledge that an MPA degree can help working professionals kick start their careers with local and state governments, policy think tanks, the federal government, international agencies, nonprofit organizations, and more. Graduates of the online MPA work in a wide variety of fields, including law enforcement, public health, urban planning, social services, and fire and safety. School of Humanities graduates have accepted positions that include helping advise and lead state and city governments. Many former students are accepted into law school and doctoral programs. The online Master of Public Administration unlocks a distance learner’s potential and allows her to pursue an exciting career with potential for advancement.

Affordability Score
87.00
Convenience Score
100.00
Reputation Score
31.99

The School of Public Affairs at the University of Colorado Denver provides an Online Master of Public Administration. Program creators have designed this exemplary degree to aid students in preparing for careers in public administration and policy. Whether they are interested in careers in government or nonprofits, this 100% online MPA will help them learn how to effectively manage and lead in public governance, participate in public policy development, and articulate and execute a public service perspective to the management of an organization. As a vital part of the University of Colorado at Denver, the School of Public Affairs is the exclusively accredited school of public affairs currently offering graduate programs in the state of Colorado. The NASPAA Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration accredits CU Denver. Through this 100% online MPA program, the School of Public Affairs hopes to advance public service in Colorado and around the world by equipping students with the skills, knowledge, ethical standards, and experiences they need to be innovative leaders in nonprofit and public organizations.

Affordability Score
85.82
Convenience Score
100.00
Reputation Score
33.75

The College of Humanities and Fine Arts at Murray State University provides an Online Master of Public Administration. Distance learners enrolled in this program can prepare themselves to make a difference in their community, region, and beyond. Murray State University’s 100% online MPA is also offered as a traditional on-campus degree in Murray, Kentucky. The university uses Interactive Television courses on Murray State’s local campuses in Paducah, Fort Campbell, Madisonville, Henderson, and Hopkinsville. All requirements for the degree can also be satisfied entirely online. The MPA degree equips graduate students for successful careers as upper-level leaders in public service organizations. Whether graduate students are currently employed, or they desire to work in the public or private sector, this 100% online program is the perfect match for individuals wanting to advance professionally in the fascinating field of public administration. The College of Humanities and Fine Arts online MPA students are not limited by times of the day or days of the week while pursuing their degree. They can instead work towards your degree at times that are most convenient for them. Many of the curriculum’s courses also feature e-textbooks, adding even more flexibility and convenience while reducing the cost of the overall program.

Affordability Score
85.13
Convenience Score
100.00
Reputation Score
34.37

An Online Master of Public Administration is currently available at the School of Education, Leadership and Public Service at Northern Michigan University. The 100% online program is designed for both pre-service and in-service students. MPA students will have the chance to expand their theoretical knowledge of the field of public administration and garner essential competency in primary technical and methodological areas. Graduate students select a specialization in a sub-field that will develop their career expertise. Consisting of 34-36-credit hours, the program offers emphases in the areas of criminal justice administration, public management, human resource administration, and local and state government. Program candidates must meet the designated core requirements, area of specialization, electives, and complete either a thesis or capstone project. Pre-service students are those lacking at least one year of prior relevant work experience. Those students need to enroll in a public administration internship. In-service students, or those with one or more years of previous work experience, may request an exemption from the internship requirement.

Affordability Score
85.46
Convenience Score
100.00
Reputation Score
33.18

California State University, Dominguez Hills’ College of Business Administration & Public Policy, provides an Online Master of Public Administration. The NASPAA, known as the Global Standard in Public Service Education, accredits the nationally ranked CSUDH MPA degree. The 36-37-credit hour program offers a high-quality curriculum and exposure to teaching by expert faculty. CSUDH’s College of Business Administration & Public Policy prides itself on its flexibility of offering on-campus evening classes in addition to online modalities. Distance learners can graduate with concentrations in Criminal Justice Administration, Public Management, Health Care Policy and Administration, and Nonprofit Management. All students enrolled in the degree also get vital exposure to multidisciplinary expertise and research. The College faculty perpetually conducts quality research in a variety of academic fields and professional backgrounds. The staff teaches the knowledge, skills and competencies of integration, critical thinking, teamwork, and communications. These competencies are in demand in today’s dynamic work environment. The university’s diverse faculty and students feel comfortable on campus and within the online classrooms that welcome those of all backgrounds and reflect the modern nonprofit and public workplace.

Affordability Score
86.81
Convenience Score
100.00
Reputation Score
28.60

The School of Management at Marist College offers an Online Master of Public Administration. Marist’s exemplary 39-42-credit hour program equips innovative leaders of nonprofit and public organizations with the values, knowledge, and skills they need to acquire to effectively managing in a diverse, global, and technologically engaged society. While pursuing the MPA distance learners have the chance to concentrate on specific areas of study such as Public Management, Analytics, Nonprofit Management, Healthcare Administration, and Ethical Leadership. Marist’s MPA is offered 100% online and as a hybrid of both traditional and online classes. Three locations in New York state, including Poughkeepsie, Albany, and Queens, are available to students seeking in-class coursework. The School of Management utilizes the iLearn online learning platform, which allows students to earn their degree while balancing family, career, and active life schedules. The GMAT requirement needed during the application process can be waived by qualifying students with the proper academic credentials.

Affordability Score
69.53
Convenience Score
75.00
Reputation Score
98.30

Seton Hall University provides an Online Master of Public Administration at the College of Arts and Sciences. University leaders understand that nonprofit leaders need cross-sector knowledge and experience. Seton Hall’s 42-credit hour online MPA in Non-Profit Management provides it. With exposure to both nonprofit and public sector models, graduates will be ready to tackle the challenges of maintaining a career in civil service or nonprofit organization leadership. Through this 100% online program, distance learners will develop flexibility, adaptability, and a deeper general understanding of public service and nonprofit leadership. The exemplary curriculum features core concepts of management, philanthropy, and leadership. Enrolled students will gain confidence as they turn theory into practice while making a difference in their community. The program’s curriculum is also designed to follow the curricular standards from the Nonprofit Academic Centers Council (NACC). These guidelines ensure all students receive an education aligned with industry needs and criteria.

Affordability Score
47.62
Convenience Score
100.00
Reputation Score
90.71

An Online Master of Public Administration is provided at Central Michigan University’s College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences. Program designers set as a goal to offer a top-notch distance degree that can provide practitioner-based educational experiences that develop and bolster the skills and public service competencies needed to be successful in today’s world of public service. Central Michigan established the program in 1978, and it is now offered 100% online. The degree has a long history of developing the careers of College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences students already in service while also helping those just beginning their careers in local and state governments, nonprofit organizations, the military, and the federal government. The NASPAA accredits this 37-credit hour program. Required core courses include Research in Public Administration, Public Policy Process, Organization Theory in Public Administration, Foundations of Public Administration, Public Personnel Administration Practice, Public Budgeting and Finance, and Program Analysis and Evaluation.

Affordability Score
80.92
Convenience Score
100.00
Reputation Score
32.16

The School of Public Affairs at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs provides an Online Master of Public Administration. This 33-36-credit hour program adequately prepares graduate students to take up leadership positions in the public and nonprofit sectors. The 100% online MPA degree is multidisciplinary and designed to equip graduate professionals with an education that will prepare them for administrative or policy careers in public service, criminal justice systems, nonprofit leadership, and national security. It also features a robust core curriculum that covers essential decision-making and problem-solving skills and a plethora of diverse elective choices. Distance learners with less professional experience have the chance to participate in internships with nonprofit and public agencies. Many School of Public Affairs students are already working within the public sector in mid-level management. They bring a stimulating and fresh perspective to the virtual classroom. MPA online students can expect to satisfy all program requirements in approximately one and a half years. The School of Public Affairs allows students to take up to six years to graduate.

Affordability Score
80.73
Convenience Score
100.00
Reputation Score
32.33

The Robertson School of Government at Regent University provides an Online Master of Public Administration. Regent’s exemplary on-campus and online MPA equips graduate students with executive management resources through hands-on experiences in public administration analysis and offers a foundation in constitutional government. Enrolled students have the chance to choose from several specialization options and will enjoy aligning their MPA degree with their specific career goals. Program designers allow students to manage strategically as they equip themselves with crucial management tools in communication, budgeting, law, and policymaking. A seasoned staff of world-renowned scholars and skilled practitioners are on hand at the Robertson School of Government to help guide distance learners as they work through this 100% online program. Regent University’s online Master of Public Administration equips Christian servant leaders with exceptional competence and character to promote the public interest. Full-time students will attend classes over four semesters and take approximately nine credits per semester, while their part-time counterparts typically graduate in six to seven semesters when completing two courses per semester.

Affordability Score
80.14
Convenience Score
100.00
Reputation Score
31.60

An Online Master of Public Administration is available at Kent State University’s College of Arts and Sciences. Kent State’s 36-credit hour program is one of only a select few online MPA degrees in the United States that the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration accredits. The program is perfect for active working professionals who want to acquire the credibility, knowledge, and skills needed to advance a career within the public sector. Utilizing learning techniques that help them apply what they learn in real-time, this program positions distance learners for senior management positions in a variety of governmental settings and nonprofit organizations. An Online Master’s in Public Administration is a multi-functional degree. Often regarded as the core professional credential for a career in public service, this online program from Kent State will serve a graduate well. Students will gain momentum in a public service career, become a trusted authority in the workplace, uncover exciting new ways to implement policy, expand professional networks, and stand out to hiring managers.

Affordability Score
80.10
Convenience Score
100.00
Reputation Score
31.03

A degree like the Online Master’s in Public Administration is designed to help leaders enhance their skills and knowledge to make a positive difference in their lives and the communities they serve. While pursuing this degree, individuals can develop the skills needed to aid them in leading teams and making critical decisions within many types of organizations, including law enforcement agencies, governmental agencies, city departments, and nonprofits. Within today’s expanding industry, there are more reasons than ever to consider an Online Master’s in Public Administration.

Here are Five Reasons to Consider an Online Master’s in Public Administration

1. An Online Master’s in Public Administration Broadens Career Options

This type of degree provides graduate students with several influential and intriguing opportunities within industries like nonprofit management, the federal government, law enforcement, and state/local governments. Within each of these industries, professionals can discover positions as fiscal managers, organizational leaders, municipal governors, public workers, criminal justice officers, and public safety officers. Workers in these fields will often be able to advance into other roles as well. An Online Master’s in Public Administration can provide a solid education that will launch graduates into careers as human resources and communications experts.

2. An Online Master’s in Public Administration Enhances Salary

There are many motivations behind why a professional might pursue an advanced degree like the MPA. These motivations may include making a difference and developing new knowledge and skills; however, salary is another vital consideration. On average, MPA graduates earn a salary of approximately $67,000. Other positions within the field report lucrative salaries. Government affairs executives are at $200,000; Human Resources managers report $113,000; social and community service managers at $70,000, and purchasing managers report annual incomes at an average of $67,600.

3. An Online Master’s in Public Administration Capitalizes On Robust Market Growth

An essential factor to consider when researching a career in public administration is the growth of the job market. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the public administration industry is steadily increasing and developing a number of opportunities for Online Master’s in Public Administration graduates, such as a plethora of career opportunities, high potential for advancement within an organization, and opportunities for entrepreneurial or leadership roles. The market has grown above the national average for social and community service managers, which reports a 10 percent job growth rate, human resources directors with a nine percent job growth rate, and administrative services managers with an eight percent job growth rate.

4. An Online Master’s in Public Administration Student Benefits from an Accredited Online School

While pursuing an online program, graduate students can balance work, their personal lives, and school, all while interacting with and learning from other students across the country. Online education also offers the convenience of self-paced learning as graduate students can study and work through class assignments when and where they want. When considering an online program, it is essential to find one that is NASPAA accredited or at least offered by a regionally-accredited college to ensure the quality of the degree. Many accredited online degrees feature an identical curriculum and list of instructors as their on-campus counterparts. Program researchers seeking further confirmation can look into the Commission on Peer Review and Accreditation, which provides a comprehensive list of all certified Master of Public Administration programs.

5. An Online Master’s in Public Administration Will Establish & Expand a Network

An online program’s format enables graduate students to interact and network with peers from diverse skill sets and backgrounds. Distance learners obtaining an Online Master’s in Public Administration also have the benefit of working alongside and networking with prestigious faculty, many of which are often well-respected leaders in their scopes of influence. Through these professional and academic relationships, students have the chance to establish personal and professional connections that prove beneficial for potential career opportunities in the future. Students are often given access to alumni networks where they can network and connect with established professionals in several industries.

Online Master’s in Public Administration programs often attract a special kind of individual—one who is determined to become an agent of positive change by serving the public in government or nonprofit leadership positions. Master’s degree holders in public administration can grow as public sector leaders who help implement policies and procedures and design and administer public programs. They assess the needs of vulnerable and at-risk groups while collaborating with other agencies and resources to offer needed solutions and services.

The current job market for public administrators is developing across a wide variety of government agencies, from health and social services to emergency management. Online MPA students with a passion for serving the public become city managers, government relations officers, budget managers, department heads, public health administrators, operations managers, management analysts, and human services agency managers. Some graduates of Online Master’s in Public Administration programs choose careers in nonprofit and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs). As they operate independently of government organizations, nonprofits and NGOs can often be more flexible and innovative in their range and choice of policies and programs.

GrantSpace is a social sector learning community. It speaks into the activities of an NGO as having most to do with human rights, environmental, advocacy, and social work. NGOs can work to promote political or social change on a broad scale or at the local level. They play a critical part in developing communities, improving society, and promoting citizen participation.

Nonprofit organizations must learn to deal with their unique issues, including funding programs, lobbying for legislative reforms, recruiting and retaining volunteers, and analyzing public policy. Professionals and students considering a career in the nonprofit sector might opt to complete an Online MPA with an emphasis in nonprofit management and leadership. As you can see, there are some excellent reasons to consider a degree like the Online Master’s in Public Administration. The program provides students with the skills and knowledge they will find valuable for the extent of their careers.

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