Master of Public Affairs

Work with "the best" to earn your Master of Public Affairs degree

Our alumni credit our curriculum, faculty, industry connections, and over 50 years of program growth and innovation for providing one of the best MPA programs in the country - and why U.S. News has ranked us in one of the two top spots among all colleges and universities in the category of public affairs graduate programs since 2012.

"People want to take advantage of the best program in the country and all the benefits that come along with it," says Ian Nicolini, MPA'07, and vice president of Corporate real estate with IU Health. "But you don't become the best by just having the best curriculum: You've got the best faculty, the best facilities, the best peers and students, and the best network."

With an MPA from the O’Neill School, jumpstarting your journey is easy. The GRE and GMAT are not required and you may qualify to earn up to 9 credit hours with prior experience. You can choose to complete your MPA in residence, online, or as a hybrid option, allowing you to switch between in-residence and online delivery as needed.

75% of O’Neill master’s students receive funding packages of at least 25%

Competitive funding packages are available to assist in making our top-ranked school affordable.

Start your application

Top-ranked curriculum

O’Neill is home to one of the nation’s top Master of Public Affairs programs.

#1 MPA among public universities
#2 MPA among public and private universities
#1 Environmental Policy & Management
#1 Nonprofit Management
#1 Public Finance & Budgeting
#1 Public Management & Leadership
#4 Health Policy & Management
#5 Public Policy Analysis
#7 Local Government Management
#10 Social Policy
#20 Urban Policy

—U.S. News and World Report, 2025–26

99%of reporting 2023-24 master's students went into employment, service, military, or continuing education upon receiving their degree

2years to complete

48credit hours

Washington, D.C. Accelerator Program

Interested in a career in the nation's capital? Our D.C. Accelerator program combines the traditional MPA with an immersive experience in Washington, D.C.

Consider a dual degree

Get more education in less time with a dual degree—earning two master's degrees in less time than it would take to earn each degree separately. Further your career possibilities by combining your MPA with a Master of Science in Environmental Science, Master of International Affairs, or Master of Arts in Arts Administration.

Important dates

Spring Term

Classes begin in January
Online and in-residence

International Deadline: October 1
Final Deadline: November 15

Summer Term

Classes begin in May
Online only

Final Deadline: March 15

Fall Term

Classes begin in August

In-Residence

Priority Deadline: January 15
International Deadline: March 1
Final Deadline: May 1*

*Deadline is extended to July 1

Online

Final Deadline: July 15

“Choosing the O'Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs for Grad Certificate and MPA was the best professional decision I've ever made. The coursework was incredibly relevant, and the faculty are top tier. There's a reason it is so highly ranked.”

Elizabeth Crist Darby, MPA’15
Director of Organizational and Vendor Management
Indiana Family and Social Services Administration

The Indiana University Paul H. O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs’ Master of Public Affairs program is accredited by the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA).