A Master of Public Affairs, or MPA, is one of the most versatile and valuable degrees available—a combination of the Master of Public Administration and the Master of Public Policy degrees. At the O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs our students are prepared for public service jobs in our changing society in ways unmatched by other universities. Our MPA program builds leaders who will make a difference in our world.
Priority application deadline extended for summer and fall master's programs.
Apply by February 1 to qualify for fellowship fundingMaster of Public Affairs: A versatile and valuable degree
As an online student, you'll benefit from the flexibility of our 48-credit-hour program.
Find the right balance for you
We recommend taking two courses a semester, but you may take more with permission from the faculty director. Summer courses are offered, too. Students in our program are able to juggle their careers, family obligations, and course work.
Accelerate your MPA with prior experience
Earn a credit hour reduction of up to nine hours with prior experience, reducing the overall cost of the program and time it takes to graduate.
Three-credit hour reduction: Minimum of two to four years' technical, administrative, or policy-level work experience with a government, nonprofit, or private agency.
Six-credit hour reduction: Four to six years of relevant full-time managerial and/or policymaking experience in any sector, such as program leadership, budgetary oversight, organizational or staff development, fundraising, analysis, planning, or human resources supervision.
Nine-credit hour reduction: More than six years of relevant full-time managerial and/or policymaking experience. At this point, at least one higher-level, multi-year assignment is expected, including responsibility for supervision of staff, budget preparation, or organizational control of public or nonprofit agencies.
