A public administrator is an unelected public employee, including city managers, cabinet secretaries, police officers, and more. An MPA is the professional degree for individuals seeking to enter public service at a management level. Jobs available upon completion of this degree include policy analyst, budget analyst, HR manager, executive director, and more. Below are the top online colleges that offer master's degrees in public administration or closely related fields.
![]() Master of Public Administration MM in Public Administration |
The Masters of Public Administration and the Masters in Management with a specialization in Public Administration both teach skills necessary to implement policies, projects and programs in state and local government, as well as how to handle human resources and budget issues. The Masters of Management program focuses on organizing and leading people, in addition to coursework in Public Administration.
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![]() Master of Public Administration MPA - Law & Public Policy MPA - Nonprofit Management MPA - Health Policy More MPA Degrees... |
The Master of Public Administration degree program at Walden University has specializations available in Law & Public Policy, Nonprofit Management & Leadership, and Health Policy, Interdisciplinary Policy Studies, Local Government Management, Policy Analysis, Homeland Security Policy, and Terrorism, Mediation & Peace. Professors are both scholars and experienced public sector professionals who contribute both experience and expertise to their lessons in finance, human resources, and enhancing collaboration between sectors.
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![]() Master of Public Administration |
Kaplan's Master in Public Administration is designed to help working administrators improve their leadership skills in public service. Courses teach students how to evaluate, implement and manage policy, as well as ethics, budgeting, and administering public funds with strategic planning.
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![]() Master of Public Administration |
Capella University's MPA program places the student in a global network of experienced faculty and professional peers while strengthening theoretical and practical knowledge of public administration practices. Students also gain insights from professionals in related fields like public safety and health care.
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![]() Master of Public Administration MBA in Public Administration MA/OM - Public Administration MA in Edu. & Public Policy |
Ashford University offers many routes to getting a masters degree in Public Administration: Students can get a Master of Public Administration, an MBA in Public Administration, an MA in Organizational Management with a focus on Public Administration, or an MA in Education & Public Policy. All programs provide a broad understanding of the theoretical and practical principles involved with Public Administration, but each specializes in a different aspect, such as Business practices, Education, or Public Policy.
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![]() MA in Public Policy & Admin |
Northwestern University's MA in Public Policy & Administration offers areas of specialization in Health Services Policy, Public Policy, Public Safety and Security, and Urban Policy and Administration. Critical thinking skills and data analysis are emphasized in these courses in addition to a practical real-world understanding of how government entities operate.
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![]() Master of Public Administration MPA in IT MPA in Public Policy MPA in Criminal Justice More MPA Degrees... |
The MPA program at South University offers four specializations: Public Policy, Non-Profit Management, Criminal Justice, and Information Technology. Graduates are well prepared for careers in management, administrative, research, or teaching positions. However, the easily accessible online format is built for those who already have careers in the public sector. For justice-minded students, South also offers an MS in Criminal Justice with a focus in Public Administration.
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![]() Master of Public Administration MBA in Public Administration |
For those who want to enter Public Service at a management level, Strayer University's MPA program, or their MBA in Public Administration program, will give them an advantage in the competition. Academics focus on developing analytical, conceptual and practical abilities that will prepare students to manage public organizations and government offices, or non-profits.
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![]() Master of Public Administration |
The American Military University's MPA program not only provides a background in administrative theory and practice, it also has students study specific cases that have affected past and present public policy decisions. Courses combine broad understandings of public administration with advanced level study in planning, organization, management and analysis in the public sector.
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![]() MPA in State & Local Govt MPA in Emergency Response MPA in Homeland Security |
Argosy University's MPA program has specializations available in State & Local Government, Homeland Security, and Emergency Response. The program develops action-oriented problem-solving skills that help students manage any situation, but also provides insights into evaluation and supervision of employees and effective management of resources.
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![]() MBA in Public Administration |
Northcentral University's 100% online classes make getting an MBA in Public Administration easy to work around any professional's schedule. Specialized MBAs such as this one allow the student to choose six specific courses in addition to the regular course load. The 12-week semesters start each month, allowing students to progress much faster than in other colleges.
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![]() Master of Public Administration |
The Keller Graduate School of Management offers campus and online classes; students can choose either, or a combination of both. Their Masters in Public Administration teaches the fundamentals of public administration with a focus on career-oriented real-world application that can be put to use immediately by those already working in the public sector.
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