Public Administration, MPA

Print Degree Planner (opens a new window) |

Master of Public Administration

Description of Program

The Master of Public Administration (MPA) is a 36 credit hour program. The MPA program will provide students with competencies in the context of a broad understanding of public administration including complexities of community problems, bureaucracy of public organizations, responsibilities of public managers and leaders, and rights of citizens. The program is designed to prepare students to manage and lead all aspects of public organizations. In addition, students will learn to carry out research involving the application and analysis to address issues in public service practice.

Learning Outcomes

Manage programs in public organizations
Assess the effectiveness of public service programs and policies within government agencies
Interpret administrative laws and regulations for program implementation in public organizations
Apply public administration knowledge in addressing challenges in public organizations

Basis for Admissions

Admission to the Master of Public Administration program requires a conferred bachelor’s and/or a conferred master’s or doctoral degree from a regionally or nationally accredited academic institution.

Degree Requirements

The Master of Public Administration Degree Program is a 36 credit program comprised of 33 core credits, and 3 capstone credits. Graduates of the NCU program must complete 36 credit hours.

Students assume full responsibility for understanding both the foundational, specialization and capstone requirements of the program. Switching programs after completing coursework may result in reevaluation, monetary loss, loss of credit hours and/or the need to take additional credit hours. Students’ Academic and Finance Advisors can assist with any questions related to program requirements.

The University may accept a maximum of 6 semester credit hours in transfer toward the Master of Public Administration for graduate course work completed at an external accredited college or university with a grade of “B” or better. See the Transfer Credit Policy for additional information.

Note: Students with a conferred BBA degree from NCU who complete graduate-level coursework with a grade of “B” or better to satisfy required undergraduate specialization credit hours may be eligible to apply up to 12 graduate-level credit hours from the BBA program to the MPA program. Please see the Bachelor of Business Administration program for program-specific course requirements.

Time to Completion

NCU allows 5 years to complete a minimum of 36 credit hours for the Master’s of Public Administration Degree Program.

Time to completion varies depending upon the pace in which a student completes courses and the number of transfer credits accepted. As most NCU students are working adults balancing educational, professional, and personal commitments, our academic and finance advisors will work with you to develop a program schedule that works best for your needs.

The normal time disclosed above reflects the experience of students who may have entered under different program requirements. In the quest for continuous improvement, academic leadership has revised the program to optimize curriculum and pace, facilitate student learning, and improve chances for success. Therefore, the program is now designed for students enrolling today to take advantage of these revised course structures, lengths, and schedules.