Homedegree Programspublic PolicyMaster Public Administration Online
100% Online

Online Master of Public Administration Degree

Request Information

Complete this form to receive the Purdue Global program guide.

You did not agree to let Purdue University Global and Kaplan North America, LLC use your data to contact you. 

If you do not wish to opt-in, and do not want Purdue University Global and Kaplan North America, LLC to contact you, you can go to www.purdueglobal.edu or call 844.787.3834 for information.

Earn Your Degree as Early as:
February 7, 2027*
Admissions Requirements
Courses
Ways to Save on Tuition
Career Outcomes
9
Total Courses
$420
Cost Per Credit
1 year
Average Completion*
15 hours
Weekly Course Effort

Master of Public Administration (MPA) Overview

Demand for social and community service managers is growing fast. It’s time to earn your MPA and get ready move into leadership roles in fields such as government, public safety, security and protection, and emergency management.

  • Develop the high-level knowledge necessary to evaluate, implement, and manage policy, and make ethical and effective decisions in the interest of the public.
  • Earn your MPA degree 100% online, while meeting the demands of your career.
  • Build expertise in public administration and management, budgeting and the administration of public funds, strategic planning, and human resource management.
  • Become a leader who can drive impact, strengthen communities, and make tough decisions that create public value in diverse and dynamic situations.

Program Outcomes

  • Innovate to address issues and opportunities in the public sector.
  • Evaluate the social and ethical implications of decisions made in the public interest.
  • Assess current knowledge, trends, and theories in public administration and service.
  • Employ financial knowledge to make sound and ethical decisions.
  • Consider cultural, individual, professional, and role differences among stakeholders within relevant social and institutional contexts.
  • Use principles of leadership to shape change and improve the governance and management of public policy.

Review College Scorecard data for this program.

View Program Degree Plan and Policies

Expert Faculty. Quality Education.

Learn from faculty with real-world experience in the field. Master the latest skills and practices through a curriculum that is reviewed and updated by leading and experienced professionals.

Purdue Global Is Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission

The HLC (HLCommission.org) is an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. 

See Notes and Conditions below for important information.

Calculate Your Time and Cost

Estimate how much your prior learning credits can reduce your tuition and time to graduation.

Get Started

Admissions Requirements

You must be a high school graduate or possess a General Educational Development (GED) certificate or other equivalency diploma. You must also complete orientation before you start classes. Refer to the University Catalog or speak to an Advisor to learn more.

View Admissions Requirements

What Courses Will I Take?

The Master of Public Administration focuses on the in-depth leadership knowledge and skills for today's public sector. You'll have the opportunity to explore topics such as ethical decision-making, finance, and leadership.

Sample Courses

  • Public Administration and Management
  • Leadership in the Public Sector
  • Finance and the Administration of Public Funds
  • Human Resource Management in the Public Sector
See All Public Administration Graduate Courses

See Notes and Conditions below for important information.

Program Requirements

9
Core Courses
9
Total Courses
45
Total Quarter Credits

1 semester credit hour = 1.5 quarter credit hours

Upcoming Start Dates

We offer multiple start dates to give you flexibility in your education, life, and work schedules.

Opportunities for Professional Development

Online discussion boards allow you to engage with students from around the country and learn from their experiences.

You can also take advantage of the Graduate Resource Center, a self-paced course that includes information on professional memberships and clubs, career services, social networking, and more.

Take a Career Assessment

Discover your work interests and use them to chart your ideal career path.

Ways to Save on Time and Tuition

Purdue Global works with students to find ways to reduce costs and make education more accessible. Contact us to learn about opportunities to save on your educational costs.

Transfer Credits

Earn credit for prior coursework completed at eligible institutions.

Financial Aid

Learn about federal financial aid programs available for many of our degree programs.

Grants and Loans

Learn about federal and state grants and loan programs that may be available.

Corporate Partner Benefits

Employees of Purdue Global partner organizations may be eligible for special tuition reductions.

Military Tuition Reduction

Graduate tuition savings for military include a 17–30% reduction per credit for current servicemembers and 14% per credit for veterans for graduate programs.

Prior Military Experience

Earn credit for your military training. We offer credit for ACE-evaluated training and CLEP and DANTES examinations.

View the total cost of attendance for your program.

Possible Behavioral Interview Questions for This Field of Study

  • Tell me about a time you led a team through change. How did you address resistance and maintain morale?
  • Describe a complex problem you faced as a leader. How did you analyze it and decide on a course of action?
  • Describe a time when you led a strategic initiative. What was your process, and what impact did it have?
  • How do you balance data-driven decisions with the needs and input of your team?
  • How do you build trust and collaboration among team members?

Sample Skills Developed and Used in This Field

  • Management
  • Communication
  • Leadership
  • Writing
  • Research
  • Budgeting
  • Public Administration
  • Project Management
  • Strategic Planning
  • Innovation
  • Public Policies
  • Advocacy
  • Financial Management
  • Data Analysis
  • Ethical Standards and Conduct

Earn a Law Degree 1 Year Sooner

Upon graduating, you can apply some of your courses toward an Executive Juris Doctor (EJD) degree at Purdue Global Law School. Save up to $7,848 in tuition and graduate a year sooner. You could earn both a master’s and EJD degree in as few as 4 years. See which courses transfer.

Unlike the JD, which prepares you to sit for the bar exam and practice law, the online EJD is designed to help you build legal expertise to use in your career.

Learn More

Download the Program Brochure

Download our brochure to learn more about the Online Master of Public Administration and the benefits of earning your degree at Purdue Global.

Prepare yourself for success with a master’s degree in public administration.

View Brochure

See Notes and Conditions below for important information.

Get to Know Our Faculty

Purdue Global faculty members are real-world practitioners who bring knowledge gained through the powerful combination of higher learning and industry experience.

99%

Faculty members who have advanced degrees

58%

Faculty members who have terminal degrees

477

Faculty publications in 2024–2025

More Than 44,000

Professional development hours logged by faculty in 2024–2025

Statistics include all Purdue Global faculty members and are not school- or program-specific calculations. Source: Purdue Global Office of Reporting and Analysis, August 2025. 2024–2025 academic year.

Your Path to Success Begins Here

Connect with an Advisor to explore program requirements, curriculum, credit for prior learning process, and financial aid options.

Connect with an AdvisorApply Online Today
NOTES AND CONDITIONS

*Estimated Graduation Date and Average Completion: Estimated graduation date is based on the assumption that you will enroll in time to begin classes on the next upcoming start date, will remain enrolled for each consecutive term, and will maintain satisfactory academic standing in each term to progress toward completion of your program. Completion time is based on a full-time schedule. Programs will take longer for part-time students to complete.

100% Online: Some Purdue Global programs are not 100% online; some programs require you to gain hands-on experience in a real-world work environment. Contact an Admissions Advisor for additional information. 

Purdue Global Law School EJD Degree – MPA: Purdue Global alumni are eligible for a 20% tuition reduction on Purdue Global Law School programs. Tuition savings calculated as 21 credit hours x reduced per credit tuition rate of $436 = $7,848. Savings will vary based on the courses completed in the student’s master’s degree program. Credits apply toward open elective and/or specialty electives in the EJD program.

Time savings based on a student who applies 21 credit hours toward the 3-year EJD program; remaining 54 credits can be completed in 2 years of study. MPA can be completed in 1.5 years of study when adhering to the recommended course-load each term, taking courses in sequence, and without interruptions such as a leave of absence.

Social and Community Service Job Growth: Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Social and Community Service Managers, www.bls.gov/ooh/management/social-and-community-service-managers.htm. National long-term projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions, and do not guarantee actual job growth.