Public Administration, M.P.A.

Develop your leadership expertise with a strong foundation in public service values.

Master of Public Administration

Launched in 1982, the Master of Public Administration (M.P.A.) was the first graduate degree offered at Park University. Our values-grounded, professional master’s program is designed to develop your leadership skills, awareness of the social and economic environment within which public and nonprofit administrators perform their roles, along with providing essential skills such as budgeting, personnel administration, and data analysis. You will build your knowledge base, decision-making capabilities, critical thinking, and organizational expertise across government, nonprofit and, NGO sectors.

Locations & Learning Options

  • Online
  • Gilbert
  • Independence Campus Center

M.P.A. Concentrations

Loading…
Loading…
Loading…
Loading…
Loading…
Loading…
Loading…
Loading…

Graduate Certificates

Loading…
Loading…
  • A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution, or the equivalent from an international institution, with at least a 2.75 grade point average (based on a 4.0 scale). Official transcripts must be provided.
  • A 300 word essay describing how an MPA will facilitate future career goals.
  • Additional information may be requested if needed.

Note: Alumni of Park University do not need to submit official transcripts and will have their application fee waived. 

Dr. James Vanderleeuw

Department Chair and Director, HSPA, Department of Politics & Administration
Professor of Public Administration
james.vanderleeuw@park.edu

Dr. Susan Keim

MPA Director
Associate Professor of Public Administration
skeim@park.edu

Our Master in Public Administration is a cross-sector degree with broad applications in a rapidly changing global community. This program graduates leaders who make a difference in their communities and in the world.

Masters in public administration Careers

  • City Manager
  • Police Commissioner
  • Urban Planner
  • Elected Official
capitol building

masters in public administration Program Highlights

Leadership in a global world

Park University is home to one of the premier public affairs schools in the region, the Hauptmann School of Public Affairs. We recognize public affairs as the field of study that builds upon the interrelationships among the activities of government (at all levels), all sectors of society, and other elements of social and economic systems, locally and throughout the world. Today’s leaders must view government and administration from this broad, cross-sector perspective.


Concentrations

As a master’s candidate in this program, you’ll select an area of concentration:

  • Criminal Justice Administration
  • Disaster and Emergency Management
  • Information Systems and Business Analytics
  • M.P.A.
  • Management Information Systems
  • Nonprofit and Community Services Management
  • Project Management
  • Public Management

Related programs

Park University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Park University is a private, non-profit, institution of higher learning since 1875.