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Masters (MPA) in Public Administration

Leverage your commitment to integrity and excellence in public policy, public financial analysis, and public management with a Masters in Public Administration. The Masters in Public Administration offers students the analytical, communication and organizational tools to implement policy to address complex social, economic and political issues.

Our 100% online program is accredited by NASPAA (Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration) and is currently ranked among the top 30 schools of public affairs by US News and World Report.

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At a Glance

Fall 2024

Application Due Date:
07/26/2024
Start Date:
08/26/2024

Spring 2025

Application Due Date:
12/13/2024
Start Date:
01/13/2025

Credits and Tuition Cost (2023-2024)

Credits Required: 40
Cost Per Credit: $737.00

Format

Fully Online

Program Alert

All online MPA prospective students that submit their applications for admission in SLATE by May 31st, 2024 will be considered for a small scholarship towards their tuition. The scholarships will be announced the first week of June.

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Masters in Public Administration overview

Program format
Format
Fully Online
Total credits
Total Credits
40
Accredited
Accredited
Program level
Degree awarded
Degree Awarded
MPA

What You'll Learn

Overview

This program offers the opportunity for students to customize the curriculum to their specific policy interests: Education, Environmental, Non-profit, Public Financial Management, etc.

  • Core mechanisms of public administration, including the organization and management of human and financial resources
  • Political, economic, legal, and social environments of public policy and administration
  • Unique challenges and opportunities of providing public goods and services in a diverse society. This includes the understanding of public administration and policy in an international and comparative context

 

Course Examples

  • PA 621 Quantitative Methods of Research
  • PA 631 Public Financial Management
  • PA 651 The Policy Process
  • PA 622 Public Program Evaluation
  • PA 602 Strategic Planning of Public/NonProfits
  • PA 652 Public Policy Economics
  • PA 623 Decision Analysis and Support Sys
  • PA 642 Public/Non Profit Org Theory
  • PA 681 Capstone
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How to Apply

Application Requirements

Standard graduate application requirements apply.

  • Resume
  • Personal Statement - Indicate your public service background and why you want to obtain an MPP
  • CV or resume
  • Two (2) letters of recommendation (Only an email address is required. Our system will ask them to upload their letter.)

Admissions Criteria

Program Contact

Suzy Wampler
Student Affairs Officer

Deadlines

Fall 2024

Application Due Date:
07/26/2024
Start Date:
08/26/2024

Spring 2025

Application Due Date:
12/13/2024
Start Date:
01/13/2025

Media

NASPAA logo

NASPAA Accredited

The Martin School's MPA program is accredited by the NASPAA (Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration) Commission on Peer Review and Accreditation and listed on the Annual Roster of Accredited Programs in conformity with NASPAA standards.

NASPAA, the global standard in public service education, is the premier specialized accreditor of graduate programs in the area of public affairs. Only 173 institutions are currently accredited.

The most recent reaccreditation cycle was completed in 2021, and is valid through 2028.

Distance Learning

Licensure & Authorization

Where you live matters when completing distance education activities. If you will live outside of Kentucky while completing your program, please check the Distance Learning Authorization & Licensure page to confirm that the program can be offered in your state or country, and if relevant, that it meets professional licensure requirements in your state. Please note: Admission and enrollment in a fully-online program can NOT lead to the issuance of a J-1 or F-1 student visa. 

AUTHORIZATION & LICENSURE INFO
NC-SARA logo
University of Kentucky has been approved to participate in State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements.

Student Support

Once you become a student, you will have access to a wide variety of academic support services to maximize your success. These services are available completely online to meet the needs of our online students.

Why UK Online

No GRE

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No test scores required.

One tuition rate

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Pay the same online tuition rate, no matter where you live.

Grad tuition cap

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Save money by paying for only 9 standard credit hours per semester, even if you take more.

Flexible schedule

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Fit learning into your busy schedule with no prescribed class times.

Testimonial

The Martin School’s MPA program challenges students to critically solve today’s most pressing policy issues. It provided me with a strong foundation in the fundamentals of public administration across various levels of government and nonprofit organizations while improving my ability to navigate and analyze complex policy issues from diverse perspectives.
Ryan Kaffenberger, alumni
Senior Associate, Finance and Workforce Development, Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education
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