Master of Public Administration (MPA)
Gain the skills to succeed in a leadership role in the public sector with the online Master of Public Administration program from Lindenwood University. This flexible online Master of Public Administration program prepares you for a career in government or at an international agency or organization. Plus, courses in our Master of Public Administration online program are textbook-free or use non-traditional textbooks to provide timely and relevant material.
When you earn your online master’s degree in public administration degree, you will explore the practical and conceptual tools needed to excel. Whether you decide to work for government agencies, private businesses, or non-profits that impact public affairs, this program can give you the skills to work with other public administrators with a shared goal of improving your community. Study vital subjects such as public finance, governmental budgeting, and economic analysis while learning from experienced faculty.
Are you searching for online Master of Public Administration programs with online flexibility and traditional campus benefits? If so, continue reading to learn how Lindenwood University Online can help you achieve your career goals with the convenience of accredited online learning.
Program at a Glance
18-24 months
Duration
36
Credit Hours
$551
Cost per Credit
100%
Online
Awards & Recognition
Ranked #8
Best Online MPA Degrees
Course Spotlight
If you want to create change in your community through public service, earning your online Master of Public Administration at Lindenwood University Online is a great first step toward your goal. Whether you want to work for a government agency or non-profit organization, our curriculum is designed to help you succeed in shaping public policy with an outcome of good governance and social equity. Our online master’s degree in public administration covers a wide variety of relevant areas, including:
- Policy Design and Analysis
- Business-Government Environment
- Program-Implementation and Evaluation
- Government Institutions: Performance and Accountability
Essential Skills & Insights
Coursework in this online master’s degree in public administration program covers the following:
- Inspirational Leadership – develop the skills to become a leader in public administrative organizations and government agencies.
- Comprehensive Professional Skillset – explore the practical and conceptual tools that you need to succeed in this field.
- Financial & Accounting Literacy – understand the principles of accounting, finance, budgeting, and economic analysis for public administration organizations.
- Policy Making – understand how policy impacts the field of public administration and how that affects your role in the field.
Core Competencies for MPA Graduates & Professionals
- Ability to execute high-level leadership skills capable of innovation and efficient organizational change.
- Comprehension of critical thinking strategies to analyze, guide, and control your organizational synergy, structure, and environment.
- Inspire, promote, and manage positive organizational change in all kinds of businesses, industries, and settings.
- Execute administrative functions at in a diverse, global business landscape.
- Quickly solve organizational challenges through decision-making focused on profitability, positive workplace culture, and efficiency.
Lindenwood Community Partners & Student Opportunities
Students in this online master’s degree in public administration can gain real-world experience through our trusted community partners. When you speak with us about your education, we can discuss potential opportunities that align with your professional aspirations.
Career Outlook
The Master of Public Administration (MPA) program at Lindenwood University Online is taught by professionals with years of experience in public policy. Their goal is to help you prepare for one of the several career paths for master’s in public policy graduates. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), political scientists earn an annual median wage of $122,510. In this role, you can evaluate the effectiveness of current laws and policies to make recommendations for improvement. This is just one example of a career path you can consider after earning your online MPA at Lindenwood.
Students who complete the Master of Public Administration program at Lindenwood can pursue a wide variety of career paths, including:
- Budget Officer
- Legislator
- Nonprofit Director
- Public Relations Manager
- Policy Manager
- Urban Planner
Admissions Requirements
For admission to your program, you will need to complete your online application and submit the following documents:
- Online application
- Résumé
- Official transcripts
All colleges and universities previously attended. If you have fewer than 24 college credits, you will need to submit your official high school transcript. - Additional requirements, such as program interview, letters of recommendation, a portfolio, an audition, GRE/GMAT test scores, or other requirements identified by the academic school in which a candidate is seeking acceptance. Additional requirements may also be requested dependent on application criteria as requested by University Admissions.
Tuition Details
The cost per credit hour for this program is $551. Besides affordable tuition, we offer a generous transfer policy of up to nine credits toward your degree completion to further offset tuition costs—to save you time and money on your education!
Plus, you can personalize your transfer experience through Lindenwood’s Transfer Guides. These guides are part of our articulation partnerships with area community college to help you get the most value from your transfer credit.
Related Programs
Interested in discovering related programs? Explore the following programs to find the best fit for your future:
- Master’s in Leadership, MA
- Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) – emphasis in Leadership, Non-Profit Administration, Management & Project Management
- Master’s in Criminal Justice, MS
If you aren’t sure which program is right for you, filling out the form on this page and speaking to a Lindenwood representative is the best way to determine your path forward!
Student Spotlight
“Lindenwood’s MPA program allowed me to find my writing style as well as find how I work best… It has opened my eyes to better understand what working with peers of different views and opinions is like. Lindenwood has challenged my thoughts and helped me research different viewpoints.”
Makenzie Fenton – Master of Public Administration Student
Frequently Asked Questions
With online MPA degree programs you can learn to be an effective leader and administrator in government, non-profit, and private businesses that help shape public policy. You should graduate with a strong understanding of the workings of government agencies and how policies are created, analyzed, and implemented from conception to execution.
As with every decision regarding your education, your career goals should be the guiding light you use to choose the right online degree program. While the ‘administration’ part of the name is the same, MBA are more focused on for-profit organizations like businesses and entrepreneurs while MPAs are more catered towards public institutions like governments and social services. If you are also considering a career in business, take a look at our online MBA program to compare the differences.
Yes. A master of public administration is the highest level of education you can obtain in this field. Once you complete this program, you can qualify for most careers relevant to this degree.
An MPA degree can prepare you for executive-level and C-suite positions at the in private businesses, non-profit, and government agencies. You can build the confidence to lead diverse teams and solve complex organizational challenges.
MPA candidates are typically interested in learning strong communication skills and exhibiting professional maturity. Ideal candidates generally have a passion for wanting to lead and inspire others in careers that serve the public. Individuals who enjoy solving organizational and public-facing problems are also a good fit for an MPA program.
An MPA can prepare you for a career focused on solving societal challenges at the community, national, and global levels. You can learn how to impact public policy, allocate public resources, and other skills that effectively manage shared resources.
Yes! Businesses of all types depend on leaders who can inspire change, create efficiencies, and manage effectively. Wages, job growth, and other factors depend on the type of role and industry you choose. When you discuss this program with us, we can help you determine a career path, along with expectations based on current conditions.
Why Choose Lindenwood University Online?
Since 1832, Lindenwood University has served students worldwide with affordable, high-quality academic programs providing real experience and real success. After nearly 200 years of academic excellence, Lindenwood is committed to a set of core values, including integrity, dedication, excellence, creativity, and community. Our goal is to provide every student in our online master’s in public administration program the same level of academic excellence they expect from a campus-based experience.
Quality
We evolve our online degree programs to reflect the latest in academic research and innovation and to meet the top standards of higher education.
Affordability
We are committed to offering our online master’s in public administration students studying online low tuition rates on top of multiple ways to save on your education.
Career-Focused
Our programs align curriculum to industry realities from experienced instructors who share real-world insights.
Support
We employ experts who are dedicated to helping our students with financial aid planning, enrollment counseling, tutoring services, and more.
We are committed to helping you succeed.
Throughout each step of your online master’s in public administration program, you will receive support. From enrollment and tuition planning to staying on the right track, your support team is there to ensure your success.
If you are looking for the right graduate program and want to be a leader in public service, contact us today to learn more about the online master’s in public administration at Lindenwood University.