Program Overview

Master of Public Administration (MPA)

The Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree draws on its historic and enduring strengths in local government and public management to prepare students to manage and lead public-serving organizations, especially at the state and local levels. The program is dedicated to cultivating the ethics, knowledge, critical thinking, and professional skills needed to serve diverse communities.

Program Mission

The KU MPA achieves its mission by:

• Providing high-quality professional education that instills in students the interdisciplinary knowledge and skills to lead public and non-profit organizations.
• Conducting policy and management research that speaks to contemporary social issues and topics of relevance to the field.
• Fostering and modeling public service values—social equity, sustainability, transparency, accountability, and respect for democracy—in teaching, research, and service to the professional community.
• Recruiting and retaining students with diverse backgrounds who show the passion and potential for leadership in public service.

Accessible and Convenient MPA Options

Whether you're launching a public service career or looking to move up in your current role, the KU Master of Public Administration (MPA) program is built to fit your life. You can study full-time or part-time, on campus in Lawrence, Kansas, or fully online through Jayhawk Online with a mix of live (synchronous) and on-your-schedule (asynchronous) classes.

• Evening classes are offered once a week starting at 6:00 p.m., with accelerated options available in Summer and early Spring. You can start in Summer, Fall, or Spring, and complete the degree in as few as 5 semesters or take up to 7 years, if needed.

Curriculum

The 40-credit hour MPA curriculum is structured to give you a strong foundation, deeper application in in-demand public service areas, freedom to explore further, and opportunity to reflect on how your experiences, skills, and knowledge will take you into the next chapter of your public service story. The KU Master of Public Administration program combines theoretically grounded coursework and practical application to provide graduates with the knowledge and skills needed to lead, innovate, and problem-solve in public and nonprofit settings.

• Our 40-credit hour program is accredited by the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA).
• Through specially designed coursework, students learn to:
  • Lead and manage in public governance.
  • Participate in and contribute to the public policy process.
  • Analyze, synthesize, think creatively, solve problems, and make decisions.
  • Articulate and apply public service perspectives.
  • Communicate and interact productively with a diverse and changing workforce and citizenry.

Specializations

Students in our MPA specialize in:

• City and County Management - Students specifically interested in local government management are encouraged to apply to our #1 ranked City Management Fellowship program.
• Performance Management.
• Public Policy.
• Public/Nonprofit Management.
• Urban Planning.

Graduation Rate and Employment Statistics

Graduation Rate

• Of the 26 students who were admitted and enrolled for the academic year:
  • 65% graduated within 2 years
  • 84% graduated within 3 years
  • 96% graduated within 4 years
• The total percentage of students who completed the program is 96%.
• This percentage rate should be viewed in the perspective of the small number of students admitted and enrolled.
• Of the students who did not complete, some moved away, had personal obligations that took precedence, or found that the program was not a right fit for them.

Employment Statistics

As an example of where our graduates are employed, here is the information for MPA students who graduated in the academic year:

• Total number of graduates: 28
• Federal government: 0
• State government: 4
• Local government: 18
• Government outside the U.S.: 0
• Nonprofit (domestic): 1
• Nonprofit (internationally oriented): 0
• Private sector (research/consulting): 3
• Private sector (not research/consulting): 1
• Obtaining further education: 1
• Military service: 0
• Retired: 0
• Unknown: 0

Application Deadlines

Domestic Student Application Deadlines

• Fall Admission: July 1
• CGSC Leavenworth Fall Admission: August 15
• Spring Admission: December 1
• City/County Management Fellowship & Fall Admission: February 1

International Student Application Deadlines

• Fall Admission: June 1
• Spring Admission: November 1

Professions of MPA Graduates

• City or county managers
• Foundation CEOs
• Budget analysts
• Data analyst specialists
• White House Fellows
• State Department diplomats
• Elected and appointed officials
• Law enforcement or military officers

U.S. News & World Report MPA Ranking Highlights

• #1 Local Government Management
• #11 Public Management and Leadership
• #19 Public Finance & Budgeting

Program Details

The Master of Public Administration (MPA) program at the University of Kansas is designed to provide students with the knowledge, skills, and values necessary to lead and manage public-serving organizations. The program is accredited by the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA) and offers a 40-credit hour curriculum that can be completed in as few as 5 semesters or up to 7 years. Students can specialize in areas such as City and County Management, Performance Management, Public Policy, Public/Nonprofit Management, and Urban Planning. The program has a strong graduation rate, with 96% of students completing the program within 4 years, and graduates have gone on to work in a variety of fields, including local government, state government, federal government, and the private sector. The program is committed to fostering and modeling public service values, including social equity, sustainability, transparency, accountability, and respect for democracy.