Program Overview

Online Master of Public Administration

The online Master of Public Administration (MPA) program at Augusta University is designed to prepare socially conscious public service leaders with the skills and principles to cultivate more equitable and resilient communities. This NASPAA-accredited program offers high-quality education at an unbeatable value, with tuition as low as $236 per credit hour.

Program Overview

The online MPA program is an applied degree that balances scholarship and practice, aiming to enhance the performance of public and nonprofit professionals by providing them with an interdisciplinary skill set that they can immediately apply in their roles. The program is guided by five core values:

• Integrity: Emphasizes accountability, honesty, fairness, and ethical behavior in personal and professional relationships and activities.
• Public Service: Inspires faculty and students to engage in public service that reflects the highest ideals of citizenship and service to the community, the nation, and the world.
• Democratic Values: Emphasizes principles that drive democracy, encouraging students to observe and respect the Constitution and the rule of law in service to the public.
• Professionalism: Develops career-focused skills that center on competence, excellence, efficiency, objectivity, and impartiality.
• Equity and Diversity: Emphasizes fundamental exercises of authority and responsibility in public administration, tempered by respect for human dignity, fairness, and social equity.

Career Outlook

Public servants are invaluable members of our society, and quality leadership will always be in demand. Upon graduation from the program, students will be prepared for careers in economic development, criminal justice, higher education administration, city-county management, emergency management, and many others, with roles such as:

• City Manager: Average Annual Salary: $141,410
• Fundraising Manager: Median Annual Salary: $125,620
• Budget Analyst: Median Annual Salary: $82,260
• Urban and Regional Planner: Median Annual Salary: $79,540
• Compliance Officer: Median Annual Salary: $71,690

Tuition and Financial Aid

The tuition for the online Master of Public Administration degree is $236 per credit, with a total of 36 credits required to complete the program. Financial aid is available, and students can learn more about financing their degree.

What Sets the Program Apart

The online MPA program at Augusta University is accredited by the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA), ensuring a quality education with a widespread reputation. The program offers hands-on learning through service, internships, and interactive, experiential, and collaborative projects, fostering real-world skills for impactful public service careers. Students also have the option to earn a nonprofit certificate as part of their degree program, allowing them to specialize their education toward their interests.

Admissions Requirements

To be considered for admission to the online MPA program, students must submit the following items along with their application:

• Official transcripts from all universities and colleges attended, showing that they have earned a bachelor's degree or equivalent from an accredited college or university, with a GPA above 2.7 on a 4.0 scale
• Three formal letters of recommendation
• Resume/CV
• Proof of Lawful Presence: In accordance with Board of Regents Policy 4.1.6, all applicants for admission to Augusta University are required to provide validation of lawful presence in the United States.

About Augusta University Online

Augusta University Online brings the tight-knit community experience and research opportunities found on campus to students across the country. Small class sizes, engaged professors, strong relationships with a multitude of professional organizations, and valuable input from subject matter experts across industries allow graduate degrees to provide students with individualized attention and practical, real-world skills. One of the country's top universities for improving economic outcomes for low- and moderate-income graduates, Augusta University Online gives students a truly transformative degree experience that allows them to make a profound impact on their lives.