Accelerated Online Public Administration, MPA

Essential Skills & Insights

Coursework in this online master’s in public administration program equips you with the leadership, policy, and management skills to thrive in government, nonprofit, and community organizations. You’ll gain a strong foundation in ethical leadership, fiscal management, and public policy while exploring how innovation and AI are shaping the future of public service.

• Public Policy & Governance: Develop the ability to evaluate, create, and implement policies that serve diverse communities.
• Organizational Leadership: Strengthen your skills in team management, decision-making, and strategic leadership within public and nonprofit contexts.
• Budgeting & Financial Management: Learn to allocate resources responsibly, manage budgets, and ensure accountability in public service organizations.
• Ethics & Accountability: Build a strong framework for transparency, fairness, and ethical decision-making in leadership roles.
• Community Engagement & Communication: Gain tools to collaborate with stakeholders, build trust, and lead with impact in diverse communities.

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AI-Powered Learning, Real-World Impact

Our accelerated online programs integrate opportunities to engage with Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a powerful tool for learning and career preparation. Students apply AI in ways that build authentic skills and mirror how businesses are leveraging it across industries. We emphasize ethical and responsible use, ensuring that students develop the judgment to apply AI appropriately. This approach helps graduates enter the workforce with both technical knowledge and a clear understanding of AI’s role in their discipline.

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Careers in Public Administration

Public administration professionals are essential to effective governance, nonprofit leadership, and community development. An MPA prepares graduates for leadership positions that drive policy, manage organizations, and improve public services.

• City or County Manager — Median salary: $116,000
  Oversee the operations of local government, managing budgets, staff, and community programs.
• Nonprofit Executive Director — Median salary: $98,000
  Lead nonprofit organizations by guiding mission-driven strategy, fundraising, and community impact initiatives.
• Policy Analyst — Median salary: $85,000
  Research, evaluate, and recommend policies to improve programs and address societal challenges.

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Admissions Requirements

For admission to your accelerated online MBA degree, simply complete the 2 step application process.

1. Complete the Graduate Admissions Online Application by visiting apply.lindenwood.edu  
2. Request official transcripts from your undergraduate institution(s) showing a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher
   
   Only transcripts with the final degree posted are required if you attended multiple institutions.
   
   Transcripts may be submitted:
   • Electronically to: [email protected]
   • By Mail to:
     Office of Admissions
     Lindenwood University
     8205 S Priest Dr #11480 Tempe, AZ 85284

Curriculum Overview

Lindenwood University’s Accelerated Online Master of Public Administration (MPA) program prepares future leaders to thrive at the intersection of public service, policy, and management. Designed for working professionals and aspiring leaders alike, our curriculum blends theory with real-world application to equip graduates with the skills to navigate complex challenges in government, nonprofits, and the private sector.

Major Coursework – 21 Credit Hours

Code	Title	Credits
MPA 52000	Public Administration: Principles, Applications and Ethics	3
MPA 53000	Program Implementation and Evaluation	3
MPA 54000	Governmental Budgeting	3
MPA 55000	Economic Analysis for Policy Makers	3
MPA 56000	Public Finance and Taxation	3
MPA 57000	Business-Government Environment	3
MPA 60000	Capstone Course in Public Administration	3

Public Administration: Principles, Applications and Ethics

You will learn core theories underlying public administration. In addition, you will examine ethical issues relative to specific federal and state laws and ethical challenges in public administration.

Program Implementation and Evaluation

This course addresses issues associated with governmental reform, and how agencies are held accountable for performance and outcomes. You will explore systems of performance measurement as these apply to public administration.

Governmental Budgeting

This course focuses on the inter-relationships among the federal, state, and local governments. You will learn about specific issues related to fiscal federalism, grants-in-aid, state governments and their balanced budgets, property taxes, financial impact of recessions, and measuring fiscal stress using ratio analysis.

Economic Analysis for Policy Makers

You will analyze the impact of government spending. In addition, economic issues that matter to the study of public administration, such as the multiplier effect and interest rates will be examined.

Public Finance and Taxation

This course focuses on governmental finances, including taxation and other forms of revenue. You will examine the similarities and differences in regard to these topics at the federal, state and local levels of government. Further, you will explore the effect of recessions and depressions on public finance.

Business-Government Environment

You will explore the regulatory role of governments as well as partnership relationships between government and business. Some specific issues addressed include tax credits, tax increment financing, public corporations, and economic development policies.

Capstone Course in Public Administration

This course synthesizes core program concepts related to fiscal management, budgeting, business relations, ethics, program evaluation and policy analysis in the field of public administration. Students complete a major research paper in which they demonstrate the program’s major themes and how these apply to public policy.

Research Design Coursework – 3 Credit Hours (Choose One)

Code	Title	Credits
MPA 53500	Policy Design and Analysis	3
MPA 53700	Data Collection and Evaluation	3

Policy Design and Analysis

You will develop policy analysis skills and learn to apply these to a wide range of social policies. You will learn how policy analysis holds promise for strengthening public policy, as well as its limitations in ensuring that policy is sound and effective.

Data Collection and Evaluation

This course addresses how to find, interpret, and apply governmental data. You will become familiar with the strengths and limitations of available data as a tool for determining effective public policy.

Budgeting and Finance Coursework – 3 Credit Hours

Code	Title	Credits
MPA 54500	Policy and Budgetary Forecasting	3

Policy and Budgetary Forecasting

You will learn how government agencies make projections for budgets. Students will develop skills to forecast impacts of policy on budgets for a wide range of public issues.

Accountability in Public Administration Coursework – 3 Credit Hours

Code	Title	Credits
MPA 52500	Government Institutions: Performance and Accountability	3

Government Institutions: Performance and Accountability

This course addresses issues associated with governmental reform, and how agencies are held accountable for performance and outcomes. You will explore systems of performance measurement as these apply to public administration.

Elective Coursework – 6 Credit Hours

Code	Title	Credits
MGMT 56035	Organizational Behavior	3
MGMT 56053	Leadership Competencies	3

Organizational Behavior

This course is an analysis of primary factors affecting individual and group behavior in organizations and examines the structure and behavior within organizations that impact performance, morale, and profitability.

Leadership Competencies

This course is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of leadership competencies and their application to organizational and personal success. Students will evaluate how effective leaders use these competencies to analyze critical challenges and opportunities and create solutions to enhance organizational effectiveness and a high level of engagement in those they lead. Students will analyze their own key leadership strengths and evaluate how to apply their strengths to create organizational success. Utilizing this information, students will also complete a personal development plan to improve and enhance their own leadership effectiveness.

Program Length Details

Lindenwood University’s (LU) Accelerated Online programs offer you choice and flexibility to support your education journey. Time to complete a master’s degree can vary based on course load, transfer credits, and individual pacing. You will tailor a course schedule that keeps you in the driver’s seat

• Transfer Credit: LU allows 9 transfer credits toward a master’s degree and you can complete your degree in as few as 27 credits.
• Accelerated Courses: LU’s online programs offer 10 5-week terms per year. By enrolling in two courses per term, you can potentially begin and complete your master’s degree in 9 months.
• Frequent Start Dates: LU offers multiple start dates throughout the year so you can begin your studies when you are ready allowing you to graduate sooner.
• Personalized Degree Plan: LU academic advisors will work with you to tailor your degree plan to support your education goals while balancing your personal and professional responsibilities.