Master of Public Administration
PROGRAM AT A GLANCE
Drive meaningful change that matters
The Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree is designed for professionals who want to begin or enhance a career in public service or nonprofit management. You’ll learn how to manage all aspects of nonprofits, government organizations and publicly engaged organizations – from people and assets to funding and public relations.
- Program details
- Costs & Savings
- Courses
- Admissions
Get ready to influence people’s lives for the better
Dive in and learn the principles of public administration, public policy management and implementation. Through this program, you’ll learn to ensure that the resources of local, state and federal governments are used efficiently, effectively and strategically.
Build your skills
- Develop qualitative and quantitative analytical skills.
- Acquire substantive knowledge of policy analysis and evaluation.
- Develop citizenship skills and an understanding of public administrators in prescribed roles.
- Advance skills critical to success in all aspects of public administration.
The high-quality higher education you deserve
Strayer University is proud to be certified or accredited by four respected organizations. We’re committed to meeting quality standards, so you can earn an industry-recognized diploma you’re proud to display. View the ACBSP student achievement information.
Accredited online university
Strayer University is proud to be certified or accredited by four respected organizations. We’re committed to meeting quality standards, so you can earn a diploma you’re proud to display. View the ACBSP student achievement information.
Features
Start-to-finish support
Your admissions officer and student services coach will mentor, motivate and support you from enrollment to the day you graduate.
1:1 attention you deserve
Our professors promise you a personalized learning experience that keeps you connected, engaged and moving forward.
A real student community
Experience online and live discussions, receive mentoring, expand your professional networks and create lifelong friendships.
82
of Strayer Master of Public Administration alumni agree that their degree was a worthwhile investment.
Strayer Alumni Survey, 2021
Affording your degree
At Strayer, you’ll find plenty of ways to make your tuition affordable, so you can worry less about your budget and get down to business.
$2000
cost per course
$150
degree conferral (one-time only)
$65
technology fee (one per term)
Estimate the cost of your degree
How much time and money will you have to invest toward a Strayer degree?
Complete our 10-course Master of Public Administration degree for $20,000 in tuition.*
*Additional Fees Apply. Eligibility rules and restrictions apply. Connect with us for details.
Estimate the cost of your degree
How much time and money will you have to invest toward a Strayer degree?
Complete our 10-course Master of Public Administration degree for $20,000 in tuition.*
*Additional Fees Apply. Eligibility rules and restrictions apply. Connect with us for details.
Expected Graduation
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*Student is required to take two courses per quarter during disbursement period
PREPARING YOUR RESULTS
Time commitment
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Cost analysis
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Starting January 10, 2023, the Graduation Fund will no longer be available to new students enrolling in a master’s degree program. Your results from this website may not reflect that change. To get more information on the total cost of your program, please contact a Strayer admissions officer.
Ways to reduce your cost
Transfer up to 4 classes toward your master's degree.
Explore additional scholarships & ways to save.
More than 500 organizations – including corporations and community colleges – invest in their employees by partnering with Strayer University to offer access to discounted education programs. If your employer is a Corporate Alliance Partner, you may qualify for programs that can help you advance in your company and your career.
Courses for careers with a cause
Your MPA coursework includes guidance on how to manage all aspects of nonprofits, government organizations and publicly engaged organizations. You’ll learn about the issues and limitations faced by those organizations, public budgeting and finance and policy analysis and program evaluation. View all courses.
Sample courses
Public Administration is primarily involved with public service and policy which may involve managing and securing funds through grants. This course will provide strategies for approaching foundational and governmental grants and guide you through every phase of creating a successful grant, from preparation through post-submittal follow up.
Examine key financial institutions, processes and techniques relating to public budgeting, revenue and expenditure. Cover analytical techniques appropriate for the analysis of revenue, spending and debt issuance. Review stages of the budget process and related actors and analytical techniques using the federal budget process as a case study. Discuss performance-laden budget reforms, governmental accounting, debt management and financial reporting. Review principles of taxation and evaluate major sources of revenue and their significance.
Examine models of leadership and the societal and personal assumptions about them. Discuss elements, factors and processes that give rise to effective executive and managerial leadership and apply these elements to large, complex organizations. Address the theory, concepts, research and practice in conflict analysis and resolution. Explore the roles of private- and public-sector leaders in conceptualizing, planning and managing innovation and change, and in mediating conflicts. Examine the theoretical bases of various decision-making and problem-solving strategies.
Examine the historical developments of community planning. Evaluate aspects of urban planning, including housing, community development, transportation, environmental planning, urban sprawl and growth management. Recommend ways to create more humane, equitable, sustainable and efficient environments to improve cities.
Examine public administration as described within the U.S. constitution and U.S. legal system. Study this foundation for all law in the public, nonprofit and private sectors in a constitutional, regulatory and administrative framework. Use the federal government as the context for analyzing administrative agencies and the public sector administrators' legal responsibility and accountability. Apply the legal principles, concepts and processes needed to address legal subjects most relevant to public administration. Explore how the legal system addresses critical issues faced by public officials and how the law is designed to work. Discuss the relationship between public administrators and lawyers, and the moral dimensions of how the law is upheld in the decision-making process. Complete our 10-course Master of Public Administration degree for $20,000 in tuition.*
*Additional Fees Apply. Eligibility rules and restrictions apply. Connect with us for details.
Analyze basic principles and functions of personnel administration in public service; review personnel functions including management, recruitment, placement, wage and salary management, valuing and managing diversity, training, retirement and more. Get an overview of advanced labor relations and collective bargaining processes and issues, grievance and disciplinary procedures, affirmative action and equal employment issues.
Master’s admission requirements
Before you can pursue your master’s degree, you’ll need to enroll at Strayer. Here’s what you’ll need to get started for admission to the university.
A completed application and enrollment agreement, as applicable
Proof of a completed baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university with a cumulative GPA of 2.50 out of 4.0
Official copies of transcripts from all other colleges or universities attended
A valid, current and legible government-issued photo identification
Learn more about the admission process at Strayer.
Students applying to Washington, D.C., or New Jersey campuses must provide proof of proper immunization.
Transferring to Strayer from another university?
Some or all of the credits you’ve earned may be transferable.
International master's students
We welcome international students from around the globe.
Campus locations
Come to a campus near you for guidance and support. You’ll have access to helpful resources, a supportive community and plenty of spaces to learn and grow.
Ready to take the next step?
Your admissions officer is here to guide you through every step of the process, from completing your application to choosing your concentration.