Public Administration, Master of Public Administration

This degree is offered fully online or in a designated cohort (City of Tempe or AEIE, China). All coursework and requirements are the same, regardless of cohort.

To learn more about how to get started, please join us at one of our Online Information Sessions.

The Master of Public Administration (MPA) at Northern Arizona University prepares pre-service and mid-career professionals for leadership and management roles in public and not-for-profit sectors. As the preeminent public MPA program in Northern Arizona, we play a unique role in serving the people and public institutions of this region at the county, municipal, state, tribal and federal levels. In addition to this regional focus, the program serves students from throughout the state, the nation and even internationally. The curriculum of the NAU Master of Public Administration builds a strong foundation in the theoretical and practical dimensions of public management and educates students within a program of study that facilitates intellectual development, promotes scholarship, and integrates the theory and practice of public administration with the promotion of public service values.

Graduates of the MPA program should demonstrate the following NASPAA universal competencies:

to lead and manage in the public interest
to participate in, and contribute to, the policy process
to analyze, synthesize, think critically, solve problems, and make evidence-informed decisions in a complex and dynamic environment
to articulate, apply, and advance a public service perspective
to communicate and interact productively and in culturally responsive ways with a diverse and changing workforce and society at large

Admission Requirements

NAU Graduate Online application is required for all programs.

- Individual program admission requirements include:
- - A bachelor’s degree in a closely related discipline
  - Cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or above or 6 units of subsequent coursework at the graduate level with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better
- - Three letters of recommendation
  - A short statement as to why you want to do the program
- - Resume or curriculum vitae
- Beginning in the 24-25 academic year, the 3 letters of recommendation must come from academic or professional sources (not from family or friends).
- The writing sample and personal statement or essay will be replaced with a 500-word statement on why you want to complete the MPA Program.
International applicants have additional admission requirements. Please see the International Graduate Admissions Policy
For additional details on graduate admission policies, please visit the Graduate Admissions Policy such as provisional admissions

This Master’s degree requires 36 units distributed and for more details, read here.

Students accepted into the MPA program must follow a set plan and meet with the MPA Director upon acceptance. Provisionally admitted students, must receive a 3.0 or higher after the first semester to become fully admitted to the program. If not, full admission will be denied. Additionally, students must:

Meet all requirements for degree completion.
Maintain a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0.
All work toward the master’s degree must be completed within six consecutive years. The six years begins with the semester and year of admission to the program.
Read the full policy.
Minimum Units for Completion 36
Additional Fees/Program Fees Yes
Graduation Paperwork Required to be completed with MPA Director

Our MPA program partners with a variety of organizations and you might be eligible for a discounted rate. Please review the links below to see if you are eligible. If your organization is interested in a new rate, contact the MPA Director for more information.