Master's degree

Master of Public Administration

Location:

1.5 years

Approximate Program Length

36

Total Credits

$698

Cost per Credit

Online

Format

Start when you're ready

Choose an upcoming start date:

Register by: Feb 2, 2022

Apply Now

Request Info

There are many challenges and opportunities in the public and nonprofit administration sectors. Lead the charge in solving them with our Master of Public Administration.

In as little as 17 months, you gain the skills to create and implement public policy. Classes are just 6 weeks long, so they won’t get in the way of your busy life. Plus, There’s no application fee, no SAT test requirements, and we’ll even request your prior college transcripts for you.

Leadership
Public policy
Communication
Problem solving
Financial management

Download program and career details

A degree built around the skills employers want

We know what skills employers want because we did our homework.

We worked with labor market researchers to align in-demand skills with our program to ensure you have the opportunity to learn and demonstrate them in your coursework.

Look for the skills icon to see exactly which in-demand skills you’re learning in the courses you take.

See how skills-aligned learning works

Courses

1

Course at a time

6

Weeks per course

8

Courses per year

Program Details

Requirements

You’ll need 36 credits to complete this master’s in public administration online. Your course schedule may vary based on previous experience, training or transferable credits.

12 Core Courses

Here’s where you’ll pick up the bulk of your program-specific knowledge. By the time you finish these courses, you should have the confidence and skills needed in this field.

0 General Education Courses

0 Elective Courses

Core Courses:

MPA/503: Public Administration: Institutions and Processes
COM/PA523: Communications for Public Administrators
LAW/PA513: Law and Public Administration
HRM/PA534: Human Capital Development in Public Administration
MPA/534: Leading Organizational Change in Public Administration
MPA/543: Data Analysis for Public Policy and Management
MPA/573: Program Evaluation
MPA/TM544: Leveraging Technology in Public Administration
MPA/564: Budgeting in Public Administration
MPA/554: Finance in Public Administration
MPA/583: Public Policy Planning and Implementation
MPA/593: Public Administration Applied Project

General Education Courses:

Elective Courses:

What you'll learn

When you earn your master’s in public administration online, you’ll be equipped with a concrete set of skills you can apply on the job.

You’ll learn how to:

Integrate leadership and management skills in context of public service organizations.
Integrate public administration principles in the policy process.
Analyze problem-solving approaches to public administration issues.
Analyze public service perspectives in fiduciary public administration environments.
Apply strategies for communicating with diverse and changing populations in public administration.

Schedule

Your academic counselor will help schedule your courses for an online MPA.

Careers & Outcomes

Possible career outcomes for graduates of this program

The data below reflects recent conditions in a dynamic and changing Arizona labor market, which may be different when you graduate. University of Phoenix does not and cannot guarantee employment, salary levels, or career advancement, as those outcomes vary by many factors specific to the individual. This data is not specific to University of Phoenix students or graduates.

Related occupations ¹

Arizona

Compliance Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities of an organization to ensure compliance with ethical or regulatory standards.

Salary range ²

$72-122k

25th-75th percentile from BLS

EST. JOB POSTINGS ³

1064

12 mo. average from Emsi

Data last updated at 9pm on Oct. 20, 2020

The related occupation reflects the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) occupation for which this program prepares graduates.
Salary ranges reflect the 25th and 75th percentile for the occupation in Arizona, as reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).The salary ranges are not specific to students or graduates of University of Phoenix. Actual outcomes vary based on multiple factors, including prior work experience, geographic location, and other factors specific to the individual. University of Phoenix does not guarantee employment, salary level, or career advancement.
The estimated number of job postings over the past 12 months in your state are provided by Emsi, a labor market analytics firm. This data may not reflect your local market conditions. Further, market conditions are dynamic and can change. This data is not intended to predict the market conditions that will be present when you graduate from your program.

Arizona

Regulatory Affairs Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate production activities of an organization to ensure compliance with regulations and standard operating procedures.

Salary range ²

from BLS

EST. JOB POSTINGS ³

12 mo. average from Emsi

Data last updated at 9pm on Oct. 20, 2020

The related occupation reflects the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) occupation for which this program prepares graduates.
Salary ranges reflect the 25th and 75th percentile for the occupation in Arizona, as reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).The salary ranges are not specific to students or graduates of University of Phoenix. Actual outcomes vary based on multiple factors, including prior work experience, geographic location, and other factors specific to the individual. University of Phoenix does not guarantee employment, salary level, or career advancement.
The estimated number of job postings over the past 12 months in your state are provided by Emsi, a labor market analytics firm. This data may not reflect your local market conditions. Further, market conditions are dynamic and can change. This data is not intended to predict the market conditions that will be present when you graduate from your program.

Arizona

Chief Executives

Determine and formulate policies and provide overall direction of companies or private and public sector organizations within guidelines set up by a board of directors or similar governing body. Plan, direct, or coordinate operational activities at the highest level of management with the help of subordinate executives and staff managers.

Salary range ²

$118-0.0

25th-75th percentile from BLS

EST. JOB POSTINGS ³

1410

12 mo. average from Emsi

Data last updated at 9pm on Oct. 20, 2020

The related occupation reflects the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) occupation for which this program prepares graduates.
Salary ranges reflect the 25th and 75th percentile for the occupation in Arizona, as reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).The salary ranges are not specific to students or graduates of University of Phoenix. Actual outcomes vary based on multiple factors, including prior work experience, geographic location, and other factors specific to the individual. University of Phoenix does not guarantee employment, salary level, or career advancement.
The estimated number of job postings over the past 12 months in your state are provided by Emsi, a labor market analytics firm. This data may not reflect your local market conditions. Further, market conditions are dynamic and can change. This data is not intended to predict the market conditions that will be present when you graduate from your program.

Arizona

General and Operations Managers

Determine and formulate policies and provide overall direction of companies or private and public sector organizations within guidelines set up by a board of directors or similar governing body. Plan, direct, or coordinate operational activities at the highest level of management with the help of subordinate executives and staff managers.

Salary range ²

from BLS

EST. JOB POSTINGS ³

12 mo. average from Emsi

Data last updated at 9pm on Oct. 20, 2020

The related occupation reflects the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) occupation for which this program prepares graduates.
Salary ranges reflect the 25th and 75th percentile for the occupation in Arizona, as reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).The salary ranges are not specific to students or graduates of University of Phoenix. Actual outcomes vary based on multiple factors, including prior work experience, geographic location, and other factors specific to the individual. University of Phoenix does not guarantee employment, salary level, or career advancement.
The estimated number of job postings over the past 12 months in your state are provided by Emsi, a labor market analytics firm. This data may not reflect your local market conditions. Further, market conditions are dynamic and can change. This data is not intended to predict the market conditions that will be present when you graduate from your program.

What can you do with a Master of Public Administration?

An MPA can prepare you to be a:

Chief operating officer
General manager
Operations director
Regulatory affairs director
Compliance manager

9 %

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, job growth for management occupations is projected to be faster than average between 2020 and 2030.

BLS projections are not specific to University of Phoenix students or graduates.

Career Services for Life®

Get career coaching, resumé building and interview prep, for life. While outside career advising can cost over $200 an hour, at University of Phoenix it’s built right into your degree at no added cost.

You don’t have to go it alone.

You’ll have a team of advisors invested in your success from day one — dedicated to helping you build your confidence and a personalized career plan you can stick with.

Tools and resources available 24/7/365

We're a university built for the busy. Build your resumé, prepare for an interview and plan your career — whenever it fits your life, day or night.

Networking & mentorship

Through virtual job fairs and networking with the alumni community, we've made it easy to tap into the experience and connections of your peers and colleagues at the University.

Learn more about career support

Tuition

Paying for school

While education costs have risen an average of 2.6% in the U.S. every year, our Tuition Guarantee ensures you’ll pay one flat rate from the moment you enroll to the day you graduate.

Earn your degree without starting from scratch

On average, students with prior eligible college credits and relevant life experience saved $11k and 1 year on their undergraduate degree.

Credit transfer made easy

Graduate faster by transferring in prior eligible credits from another accredited institution. If you have law enforcement training from the Federal Bureau of Investigation National Academy or the Senior Management Institute for Police (SMIP) you can apply to have that experience evaluated for college credit.

Transfer credits

NEED SOME HELP?

Our enrollment representatives provide personal support while you make an informed choice about going back to school. Reach us by phone at 844-937-8679 or chat with us 7 days a week.

Connect with us

Student Experience

An education that fits your busy life

Balancing family, work and school

Work toward your degree without giving up what matters most. Start your degree year-round and take one class at a time.

Learn about our flexibility

Online learning

Enroll in online classes and attend class whenever it fits your life, day or night.

Read about online classes

Around-the-clock support and resources

You have a support team available up to 20 hours a day, 5 days a week. And our academic counselors, who are with you every step of the way, have earned a 5-star rating from 90% of our surveyed students.

See student resources

Accreditation & Faculty

Count on the quality of your education

Institutional accreditation

University of Phoenix is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), hlcommission.org. Since 1978, University of Phoenix has been continually accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and its predecessor.

Real-world faculty

26

Average years of industry experience

10

Directors of Programs and Grants

85 %

Of surveyed students would recommend their instructors

Faculty Spotlight

As a faculty member, I'm on your team. I'm your coach and your cheerleader."

Doris Savron

Vice Provost of Colleges, University of Phoenix

Read her story

You might also want to check out:

Master of Science in Administration of Justice and Security

Master of Science in Psychology with a concentration in Industrial-Organizational Psychology

Master of Science in Psychology

card group 1

While widely available, not all programs are available to residents of all states. Please check with a University Enrollment Representative.

Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projections are not specific to University of Phoenix students or graduates.