Program Overview

Introduction to the Master of Public Administration and Leadership

The Master of Public Administration and Leadership (MPAL) is a public administration degree designed to prepare mid-career professionals to lead their teams, organizations, and communities to a better tomorrow. With a flexible online format, students can balance education, work, and personal life while applying newly acquired skills and insights in real-time.

Why Pursue an Executive Master of Public Administration at Ohio State?

As a student at The Ohio State University John Glenn College of Public Affairs, you will join a vibrant community of public service leaders. The MPAL program offers a unique opportunity to learn from and collaborate with a diverse group of peers, expanding your knowledge and gaining valuable insights.

Program Overview

The MPAL program is positioned to effectively prepare students to step into essential positions within the public sector. The program requires 32 credit hours and can be completed in 5 semesters part-time.

Admission Criteria

To be considered for admission to the MPAL program, applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Bachelor's Degree
• 3+ years of post-baccalaureate experience in administrative or analytical roles, with evidence of increasing responsibility over time
• Minimum 3.0 GPA highly recommended

Curriculum

The MPAL curriculum is built to help students solve real-workplace problems and gain organizational leadership skills through hands-on leadership and management courses. The program includes the following courses:

• PUBAFRS 6051: Introduction to Public Affairs/Orientation to Program
• PUBAFRS 6530: Negotiation for the Public Sector
• PUBAFRS 6055: Judgment in Managerial Decision-Making
• PUBAFRS 6045: Fundamentals of Budgeting and Financial Administration
• PUBAFRS 6060: Managerial Leadership in Public and Nonprofit Organizations
• PUBAFRS 6075: Data, Models and Evaluation
• PUBAFRS 7990: MPAL Capstone

Specialization Tracks

The MPAL program offers several specialization tracks, including:

• Public Management
• Criminal Justice Administration and Policy
• Public Policy
• Nonprofit Management
• Cybersecurity Law, Policy, and Management

Career Outlook

The MPAL program prepares students for a variety of careers in the public sector, including:

• Administrative Services Managers
• Compliance Managers
• Financial Managers
• Human Resources Managers
• Public Relations Managers
• General and Operations Managers
• Budget Analysts
• Fraud Examiners, Investigators, and Analysts
• Intelligence Analysts
• Management Analysts
• Chief Executives

Tuition Fees

The estimated cost of the MPAL program is based on 32 credit hours required to complete the program. The tuition fees are as follows:

• Instructional Fee: $829.75 per credit hour
• General Fee: $32.63 per credit hour
• Distance Learning Fee: $100 per semester
• Non-Resident Surcharge (if applicable): $200 per semester

Financial Aid

Ohio State offers various financial aid options to help students manage their expenses. Students can learn more about payment options, including details on tuition fees, payment plans, and financial aid resources, on the Ohio State website.