Public Administration
The Online Master of Public Administration (MPA) is the management and leadership degree for those seeking to serve the public good. Courses are offered 100% online and prepare students to innovate in a diverse range of fields. Students participate in interdisciplinary work and applied research with government and community partners, create social change, and address the emerging challenges affecting the quality of life in cities.
Part-Time
The Master of Public Administration program has been creating leaders in the public and nonprofit sectors since 1969. The program is the management and leadership degree for those seeking to serve the public good. When pursued as an online curriculum, the MPA offers the same practice-oriented, research-based graduate education available to students at our Boston campus. Aimed at professionals seeking management and leadership careers in the public or nonprofit sectors, the online curriculum offers maximum flexibility in scheduling as well as engaged interactions with faculty and fellow students. Building off of Northeastern’s substantial experience in delivering high-quality education online, this program helps students exchange views, consult with faculty, and work collaboratively, giving them greater freedom to shape their own learning experience. MPA students can add a graduate certificate to their degree to demonstrate specialized training in the nonprofit sector or urban analytics. Courses taken to complete a certificate also count as MPA elective credits.
Additionally, students can concentrate in healthcare management and policy to equip themselves to better assess and act within today's complicated healthcare sector. Courses in health management, health policy, and an elective comprise the concentration.
Please visit the Master of Public Administration (MPA) site to learn more about the program and download a free brochure.
Register for the next Welcome Day for prospective students here.
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Unique Features
- Acquire hands-on experience through capstone projects, on-campus research labs and centers, and real-world work opportunities. A recent capstone group of students had the opportunity to create an innovative proposal addressing the needs of a local economic development agency. They earned second place at the 16th Annual Affordable Housing Development Competition.
- Students can participate in a one-semester exchange program with the University of Amsterdam’s Urban Studies Research master’s program.
- Students can conduct research outside of the classroom at The Dukakis Center for Urban and Regional Policy, Boston Area Research Initiative, and The Social Impact Lab.
- Students can earn a graduate certificate at no additional cost in these focus areas: nonprofit sector and urban analytics.
- Optional Concentration in Healthcare Management and Policy
This graduate concentration is available to students in the Masters of Public Administration program in the School of Public Policy and Urban Affairs. It is designed to enable students to develop a deeper understanding of the contemporary healthcare sector, including the intricacies of U.S. health policy and competencies in healthcare management. The concentration comprises three courses, one from each of three focus areas: health management, health policy, and health elective.
Program Objectives
The MPA program is directed toward developing the analytical, conceptual, and practical competencies required for successful careers in public administration. The ultimate goal is to prepare students to be effective in a dynamic and increasingly diverse professional environment. This includes assisting online students in every possible way to secure internships, post-graduate employment, and overall career advancement.
Accreditation Description
The MPA program at Northeastern University is accredited by the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA), the membership association of graduate programs in public administration, public policy, public affairs, and public and nonprofit management.
Career Outlook
Our MPA graduates are empowered to make a difference across disciplines and around the world. They leave Northeastern with the theoretical and fundamental understanding needed to transition into their careers and to immediately participate in and contribute to the policy process in their chosen field. Our graduates go on to careers as town administrators, management analysts, research analysts, and program directors. A recent survey of MPA alumni concluded that 24% of recent graduates are working the nonprofit sector, 38% in the public sector, and 21% in the private sector.
