Master of Public Administration

Description and Outcomes

If you are a practicing or aspiring administrator, the Master of Public Administration program could help you develop the skills and techniques to provide leadership in a wide variety of public service fields. The program teaches you to evaluate, implement, and manage policy and to make ethical and effective decisions in the interest of creating public value.

The curriculum focuses on a core area of study designed to provide you with the underpinnings of public administration and management and analytical methods to assess administrative policy implementation and effectiveness. The courses cover public administration and management, ethics and leadership, budgeting and the administration of public funds, strategic planning, and human resource management.

Program Length

The Master of Public Administration program consists of a minimum of 55 quarter credit hours. Upon successful completion of the program, you will be awarded the Master of Public Administration.

Program Outcomes

  1. Public Value: Apply knowledge of practice in public administration to make effective decisions that create public value in diverse and dynamic situations.
  2. Ethical Decision Making: Evaluate the social and ethical implications of decisions made in the public interest.
  3. Innovation: Innovate to address issues and opportunities in the public sector.
  4. Knowledge Base: Evaluate theoretical foundations, current knowledge, and trends in public administration and public service.
  5. Finance: Apply financial knowledge to make sound and ethical decisions in the public interest.
  6. Diversity: Assess cultural, individual, and role differences of constituents and stakeholders.
  7. Leadership: Apply principles of leadership to shape change and improve the governance and management of public policy.

Professional Competencies

In addition to the discipline-specific outcomes, professional competencies are integrated throughout your academic program. You can review the professional competencies associated with your academic program in the Professional Competencies section of this Catalog.

Program Availability

For program availability, please refer to the U.S. State and Other Approvals section and Program Availability Information.

Policies

Admissions Requirements

You must meet the below admissions requirements in addition to Purdue Global's general requirements.

Prior to enrollment, it is highly recommended you complete the following prerequisite courses at the University or an accredited institution:

  • American Government
  • Statistics
  • Public Policy

Certification, State Board, and National Board Exams

Certain state certification and licensure boards have specific educational requirements for programs to lead to a license or certification that is a precondition for employment in a recognized occupation. Prospective and current students must review Purdue Global’s State Licensure and Certifications site to view program and state-specific licensure information.

Unless otherwise specified, Purdue Global's programs are not designed to meet any specific state’s licensure or certification requirements. Licensure-track programs may limit enrollment to students in certain states; please see Purdue Global’s Program Availability Information to determine enrollment eligibility.

You are responsible for understanding the requirements of optional certification exams. Such requirements may change during the course of your program. You are not automatically certified in any way upon program completion. Although certain programs are designed to prepare you to take various optional certification exams, Purdue Global cannot guarantee you will be eligible to take these exams or become certified. Your eligibility may depend on your work experience, completion of education and/or degree requirements, not having a criminal record, and meeting other certification requirements.