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Master of Public Administration (MPA)
Request InformationGain the essential knowledge and skills to become a successful leader in public administration with our Master of Public Administration degree program.
Next start dates
- Course-Based Courses with a set schedule September 27, 2021
Transfer Credits
- Up to 30 Credits
Explore our Online Master of Public Administration.
Whether it is at the local, state, or federal level, providing public service increasingly involves collaboration with multiple government agencies as well as private and nonprofit organizations. When you earn your online master’s in public administration, you can be prepared to meet these challenges.
Walden’s online Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree program is designed to help you develop the advanced competencies that are essential to becoming a successful leader in public administration. Gain the skills that can prepare you for cross-sectoral governance and enable you to deliver services to citizens through plans that are transparent, efficient, and ethical. As a student working toward your online MPA degree, you can learn effective ways to balance budgets, write and negotiate contracts, manage conflict, and build partnerships.
Prepare to advance your career as you gain the knowledge to translate policies into programs that work for the public good. Through in-depth research, practical coursework, and a virtual city that simulates real-life scenarios, you can acquire the organizational capabilities you need to administer and oversee diverse and complex agencies.
Program Savings
Receive up to a $2,500 grant if you reside in the U.S. and start this program on September 27, 2021. Contact one of our Enrollment Specialists to learn more.
Get Started NowGeneral Program
In the General Program, you will have the opportunity to gain cross-sectoral management and communication skills that can be applied domestically and globally.
Emergency Management
Designed for public safety administrators and emergency responders who want to move forward in their careers, this specialization examines vital emergency management issues and contingency planning.
Law and Public Policy
The Law and Public Policy specialization explores the relationship between statutes and case law and the impact that legislation and court systems can have on public policy.
Nonprofit Management and Leadership
Explore best practices for navigating through budgeting and finance issues, cultivating stakeholder relationships, and developing strategic plans that foster collaboration across sectors.
Policy Analysis
This specialization focuses on the policy process, from setting agendas and using analytic tools to implementing legislation and gauging social acceptance.
Public Management and Leadership
The Public Management and Leadership specialization will enable you to make a positive difference in communities through public governance that includes transparency, accountability, and efficiency.
Social Entrepreneurship and Innovation
Expand your critical leadership and practical skills—such as grant writing and generating resources—to support your own ideas and your organization.
Admission Requirements
Program Admission Considerations: A bachelor's degree or higher.
General Admission Requirements: Completed online application and transcripts. Please note that the materials you are required to submit may vary depending on the academic program to which you apply. More information for international applicants.
Testimonials
Having completed my master’s and doctoral degrees with Walden University, I have a scholarly foundation on which to build.
Rachel Ivory Master of Public Administration (MPA) Graduate
I wanted to enhance my education, and Walden was my key.
Jose Alicea Master of Public Administration (MPA) Graduate
My passion for public service initially motivated me to enroll at Walden.
Alexander Boamah Master of Public Administration (MPA) Graduate
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FAQ About Walden’s Online Master of Public Administration (MPA) Program
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An online master’s in public administration program is a great choice for working professionals who want to develop the advanced competencies required for a range of career options, including those at federal, state, and local agencies as well as in the private and nonprofit sectors. When you enroll in an online master’s program, you can study from home using a flexible learning platform that allows you to continue working full time as you earn your degree. Online degree programs, like the ones at Walden University, offer a schedule that combines the structure of weekly assignments and due dates with the flexibility of choosing times to participate that are most convenient for you. Online degree programs also attract a diverse student body, allowing you to gain different perspectives and collaborate with classmates who offer insights into other business cultures and problem-solving techniques that can inform your own approaches to problems and opportunities. If you have good time management skills and would like to better balance work and family with the demands of going back to school, consider the many benefits of Walden’s online Master of Public Administration program.
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Today’s urban communities face a plethora of increasingly complex challenges, including crime and public safety, poverty, homelessness, pollution, and healthcare access. If you plan to pursue a leadership job in public administration, you’ll need to gain the skills and knowledge required to tackle tough problems surrounding these pressing issues. To help aspiring public administration leaders develop good problem-solving skills, many colleges and universities have integrated hands-on learning experiences into their public administration degree programs.
The virtual city used as an interactive teaching tool in the Master of Public Administration (MPA) online degree program at Walden University is a great example of how public administration students learn to solve problems through practice. The fictional city offers scenarios of real-life challenges in public administration faced by local leaders. Community issues involving a high school, businesses, city hall, and a hospital are explored throughout the MPA degree program.
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Those with a Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree earn an average of $68,408 a year, though there are ranges depending on the position.1 For example, the average annual salary for a government program manager is $90,985, though it ranges from $51,000 to $145,000 and, depending on the company, may or may not include bonuses and profit sharing.2
1Source: www.payscale.com/research/US/Degree=Master_of_Public_Administration_(MPA)/Salary?signedUp (viewed March 3, 2021). National long-term projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions, do not guarantee actual job growth, and are subject to change.
2 Source: www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Government_Program_Manager/Salary (viewed March 3, 2021). National long-term projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions, do not guarantee actual job growth, and are subject to change. -
- Job stability: Unlike private-sector positions, which may be among the first eliminated in an economic downturn, government jobs are generally more stable and many are predicted to be in a strong growth mode over the coming years.
- Making a difference in people’s lives: Some professionals actively seek the opportunity to serve their country as a public employee. Whether you seek a degree that can lead to a public administration career working in homeland security, providing vital services to at-risk populations at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, or helping retired or disabled military service personnel at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, a public administration degree can prepare you for a position and professional path that align with this mission.
- Career advancement: There is ample room for advancement in careers in government and public administration. A Master of Public Administration (MPA) is beneficial, if not required, for many leadership roles in federal, state, and local governments. With the critical thinking and decision-making skills and knowledge you’ll acquire in your degree program, coupled with the right use of resources and networking, you can position yourself for success.
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Earning a Master of Public Administration (MPA) can prepare you with the critical problem-solving skills needed for leadership positions such as:
- Deputy city manager
- U.S. Foreign Service officer
- Policy researcher
- Senior strategic policy advisor
- Emergency management director
- Budget analyst
- Human resources director
- Public health administrator
- Economic development planner
Should you continue your education and earn a PhD in Public Policy and Administration, you can gain the knowledge and skills to prepare you to pursue a wide spectrum of leadership positions such as:
- Legislative aide
- Policy analyst
- Research director
- Senior-level public executive
- Government affairs officer
- Private consultant
- Senior-level nonprofit manager
Career options may require additional experience, training, or other factors beyond the successful completion of this degree program.
Questions about our Master of Public Administration?
Fill out the form and we will contact you to provide information about furthering your education.
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