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.

Learning Outcomes

Graduates of our online Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree program will be prepared to:

  1. Describe key leadership concepts and theories that can be used to effectively lead and manage in the public sector.
  2. Determine appropriate skills needed for participating in and contributing to public and nonprofit policy processes.
  3. Critically evaluate strategies for resolving public policy and administration problems in a global economic and political environment.
  4. Develop ethical solutions to advance and improve the lives of citizens and organizations.
  5. Apply models that represent best practices in utilizing diverse perspectives in local, state, national, and international public agencies.

Career Impact

Graduates of this program will be well-prepared for a number of occupations across an array of areas, including government and politics, health, nonprofit, and public affairs. Students can prepare for a career in a variety of roles, including:

  • City manager
  • Department head
  • Government relations officer
  • Public health administrator
  • Health department manager
  • Human resources manager
  • Budget manager
  • Operations manager
  • Management analyst
  • Head of a nongovernmental organization (NGO)
  • Human services agency manager

Career positions may require additional experience, training, or other factors beyond the successful completion of this degree program.

 

Highlights

Tour Our Virtual City

Virtual City
Walden’s public administration programs allow students to solve real-world problems in our virtual city.
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MPA vs MPP

MPA vs MPP, consider which features best fit your career goals.
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Testimonials

Elizabeth Brown

Elizabeth Brown

MPA Graduate
I wish to pursue a PhD in Public Policy and Administration. It will be very beneficial to me because I can complete the program faster than normal based on my academic achievements in the same department.
My master’s degree has allowed me to make a bigger impact in my volunteer work at the nonprofit I founded.
In the hour I spent talking with Walden’s admissions advisor, I completely changed my career ambition. To this day, I am still on that path.
Gabirel Takang MPA Graduate
Gabriel Takang
Diana Shaw MPP Graduate
Diana Shaw
Seth Barnett MPA Graduate
Seth Barnett
Man sitting at latop
Questions about our Master of Public Administration (MPA)?
Questions about our Master of Public Administration (MPA)?
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