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Masters

Public Administration, MPA draft

Arizona State University
Tempe , United States
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Degree
Masters
Timing
Full time
Course Language
English
About Program

Program Overview

Public Administration, MPA

The Master of Public Administration program equips students with the skills and knowledge necessary to lead and manage in the public sector. It emphasizes the development of competencies in management, public policy analysis, administrative leadership, and the ethical governance of public institutions. The program offers a strong foundation in public service values, organizational behavior, budgeting, and program evaluation. With a flexible curriculum, students can tailor their studies to focus on areas such as nonprofit management, urban affairs, or policy implementation.


Program Description

ASU ranks No. 5 for best graduate public management and leadership program by U.S. News & World Report, 2024. The program is known for its interdisciplinary approach and its alignment with the challenges faced by contemporary public administrators, fostering innovation and evidence-based decision-making. Students may also elect to specialize in one of four approved concentrations:


  • emergency management
  • nonprofit administration
  • public finance
  • urban management

At a Glance

  • College/school: Watts College of Public Service & Community Solutions
  • Location: Downtown Phoenix, ASU at Hainan, or Online
  • STEM-OPT extension eligible: No

Concurrent Program Options

Students can choose to create their own concurrent degree combination to match their interests by working with their academic advisor during or after their first semester of study. Some concurrent combinations are not possible due to high levels of overlap in curriculum; students should speak with their academic advisor for more details. This degree is also offered as a concurrent program with the following:


  • American Indian Studies (Tribal Leadership and Governance), MS
  • Criminology and Criminal Justice, MS
  • Social Work - Standard Program, MSW
  • Sustainability Solutions, MSUS
  • Urban and Environmental Planning, MUEP

Accelerated Program Options

This program allows students to obtain both a bachelor's and a master's degree in as little as five years. Accelerated bachelor's plus master's degree programs are designed for high-achieving students who want the opportunity to share undergraduate coursework with graduate coursework to accelerate completion of their master's degree. These programs feature the same high-quality curriculum taught by ASU's world-renowned faculty. This program is offered as an accelerated bachelor's plus master's degree with:


  • Anthropology, BA
  • Anthropology, BS
  • Applied Biological Sciences, BS
  • Applied Biological Sciences (Natural Resource Ecology), BS
  • Applied Biological Sciences (Preveterinary Medicine), BS
  • Applied Biological Sciences (Sustainable Horticulture), BS
  • Applied Military and Veterans Studies, BA
  • Biological Sciences, BS
  • Biological Sciences (Biology and Society), BS
  • Biological Sciences (Biomedical Sciences), BS
  • Biological Sciences (Conservation Biology and Ecology), BS
  • Biological Sciences (Genetics, Cell and Developmental Biology), BS
  • Biological Sciences (Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior), BS
  • Business, BA
  • Business (Agribusiness Innovation and Technology), BA
  • Business (Business Administration), BA
  • Business (Communication), BA
  • Business (Corporate Accounting), BA
  • Business (Financial Planning), BA
  • Business (Food Industry Management), BA
  • Business (Global Logistics Management), BA
  • Business (Global Politics), BA
  • Business (Health Care), BA
  • Business (Human Resources), BA
  • Business (Information Security), BA
  • Business (Language and Culture), BA
  • Business (Law), BA
  • Business (Public Service and Public Policy), BA
  • Business (Sports Business), BA
  • Business (Statistics), BA
  • Business (Sustainability), BA
  • Business (Technology), BA
  • Business (Tourism), BA
  • Civil Engineering, BSE
  • Civil Engineering (Sustainable Engineering), BSE
  • Communication, BA
  • Communication, BS
  • Community Advocacy and Social Policy, BA
  • Construction Management and Technology, BS
  • Criminology and Criminal Justice, BS
  • Criminology and Criminal Justice (Policing), BS
  • Culture, Technology and Environment, BA
  • Economics, BS
  • Economics (Politics and the Economy), BS
  • Emergency Management and Homeland Security, BS
  • English (Linguistics), BA
  • English (Literature), BA
  • English (Narrative Studies), BA
  • English (Writing, Rhetorics and Literacies), BA
  • Finance, BS
  • Global Health, BA
  • Global Health, BS
  • Health Care Administration and Policy, BS
  • Health Sciences, BS
  • History, BA
  • International Letters and Cultures, BA
  • International Letters and Cultures (Arabic Studies), BA
  • International Letters and Cultures (Classical Civilization), BA
  • International Letters and Cultures (Classics), BA
  • Justice Studies, BA
  • Justice Studies, BS
  • Management, BS
  • Marketing, BS
  • Microbiology, BS
  • Molecular Biosciences and Biotechnology, BS
  • Nonprofit Leadership and Management, BS
  • Nonprofit Leadership and Management (American Indian Studies), BS
  • Organizational Leadership, BA
  • Organizational Leadership (Project Management), BA
  • Organizational Leadership (Veterans, Society and Service), BA
  • Parks, Recreation and Sport Management, BS
  • Philosophy, BA
  • Philosophy (Morality, Politics and Law), BA
  • Philosophy (Science, Nature and Mind), BA
  • Political Science, BA
  • Political Science, BS
  • Public Service and Public Policy, BS
  • Public Service and Public Policy (American Indian Studies), BS
  • Public Service and Public Policy (Business), BS
  • Public Service and Public Policy (Criminology), BS
  • Public Service and Public Policy (Emergency Management and Homeland Security), BS
  • Public Service and Public Policy (Health Policy), BS
  • Public Service and Public Policy (Law and Policy), BS
  • Public Service and Public Policy (Nonprofit Leadership and Management), BS
  • Public Service and Public Policy (Sustainability), BS
  • Social Work, BSW
  • Sociology, BS
  • Sustainability, BA
  • Sustainability, BS
  • Technical Communication, BS
  • Technical Communication (Data Visualization), BS
  • Technical Communication (Medical and Health), BS
  • Technical Communication (Social Media Management), BS
  • Technical Communication (User Experience), BS
  • Urban Planning, BSP

Degree Requirements

42 credit hours including the required capstone course (PAF 509)


  • Required Core (27 credit hours)
    • PAF 501 Public Service Research I (3)
    • PAF 502 Public Service Research II (3)
    • PAF 503 Public Affairs (3)
    • PAF 504 Microeconomics of Public Policy I (3)
    • PAF 505 Public Policy Analysis (3)
    • PAF 506 Public Budgeting and Finance (3)
    • PAF 507 Public Human Resource Management (3)
    • PAF 508 Organization Behavior (3)
    • PAF 574 Diversity, Ethics and Leading Public Change (3)
  • Electives or Research (12 credit hours)
  • Culminating Experience (3 credit hours)
    • PAF 509 Public Affairs Capstone (3)

Admission Requirements

  • General university admission requirements:
    • All students are required to meet general university admission requirements.
  • Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions.
  • Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a bachelor's or master's degree from a regionally accredited institution in a related field.
  • Related fields include social science degrees, although the department may accept applicants with degrees from all educational backgrounds provided the minimum requirements for the degree program are met.
  • Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program.
  • All applicants must submit:
    1. graduate admission application and application fee
    2. official transcripts
    3. two letters of recommendation
    4. written statement
    5. proof of English proficiency

Tuition Information

When it comes to paying for higher education, everyone’s situation is different. Students can learn about ASU tuition and financial aid options to find out which will work best for them.


Attend Online

ASU Online offers this program in an online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year.


Application Deadlines

  • Fall:
    • Session A/C: In Person, Online (Rolling)
    • Session B: Online (Rolling)
  • Spring:
    • Session A/C: In Person, Online (Rolling)
    • Session B: Online (Rolling)
  • Summer:
    • Session A/C: In Person, Online (Rolling)
    • Session B: Online (Rolling)

Career Opportunities

Graduates are prepared to pursue a career in a field related to public administration or public policy. This may include opportunities as a manager or policy analyst in local, state, or federal agencies; nonprofit organizations; and private organizations that interface with the public sector.


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