Welcome to the Master of Public Administration (MPA) Program at Northeastern University! Founded in 1969, the MPA Program integrates theoretical foundations with practical skills in the public sector. The MPA Program is accredited by the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs and Administration (NASPAA), and it is closely affiliated with the Department of Political Science and the School of Public Policy and Urban Affairs. The Program is directed toward defining and developing analytical, conceptual and practical competencies for management and leadership careers in the public or non-profit sectors.
With classes scheduled after 5 PM, or provided online, the Program is designed for both the full-time student and the public-sector professional who can attend classes part-time.
Our Mission
The mission of the MPA Program at Northeastern University is to serve the needs of the public affairs community, including students, working professionals, faculty, and researchers, by providing a practice-oriented and research-based graduate educational experience. The faculty pledges the best instruction available in a set of courses designed to integrate theoretical foundations with practical skills. The MPA Program will prepare students to be effective in a dynamic and increasingly diverse professional environment. We also commit ourselves to assisting students in every possible way to secure internships, post-graduate employment, and overall career advancement. Students, in turn, are expected to meet high levels of academic excellence combined with ethical and professional integrity. Committed to the ideals of public service and advancing the public interest, we seek students who share the same enthusiasm.
Why an MPA Degree?
The MPA is a professional degree. Acceptance into an MPA Program signifies a high level of achievement in previous professional and academic efforts and demonstrates a commitment to excellence in public service and the study of public policy and administration. Our graduate students come from a wide variety of academic and professional backgrounds, and from every section of the United States and throughout the globe. Many students are, or have been, employed in the public and non-profit sectors.
Why our Program?
The MPA Program is composed of approximately 120 students served by faculty in the Department of Political Science and faculty in the School of Public Policy and Urban Affairs. Our part-time faculty are accomplished professionals and leaders in the public and non-profit sectors. Areas of faculty expertise include public policy analysis, budgeting, U.S. government, community development, urban affairs, and a variety of other substantive public policy areas.
Three general themes characterize our efforts to help you develop and sharpen the skills and capacities that you will need for a career in public service or in the non-profit sector:
- We make every effort to provide students with effective and relevant instruction in a curriculum that integrates theoretical foundations with practical skills. In turn, we expect students to extend every effort in their courses to meet high standards of academic excellence.
- Our program is directed toward defining and developing analytical, conceptual and practical competencies. Practicing public administrators among our adjunct faculty and student body provide linkages with all levels of government, permitting us a unique opportunity to maintain a high level of professional relevance.
- Finally, we strive to emphasize the “public” dimension of public administration. We view ourselves as being distinct from the private sector, motivated first by ethical and democratic imperatives to serve the public interest. Throughout the MPA program’s curriculum and activities, we will reiterate and focus upon the inherent public responsibilities.
Online Program and Course Options
Students admitted to the MPA Program now have the option of pursuing the degree one of three ways: On the Boston campus, online, or through a combination of online and on-campus courses. Admission standards and program curriculum requirements are identical. Students may register for online course in the same way they would register for on-campus courses. Online courses are equivalent to on-campus courses and carry the same academic credit. Students are not restricted in the number of online courses they may take for the degree. Finally, the MPA Program is also offered on Northeastern’s Graduate Campus in Seattle.
For information on Northeastern’s online MPA Program, please view our Online MPA Program Information Guide. For more general information about taking online classes, including frequently asked questions and an online course demo, please visit:www.northeastern.edu/online/about-us-faqs.asp.
Accreditation
The MPA Program at Northeastern University is accredited by the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs and Administration, the membership association of graduate programs in public administration, public policy and public affairs. NASPAA’s two fold mission is to ensure excellence in education and training for public service and to promote the ideal of public service. NASPAA accreditation signifies that a master’s program in public affairs and administration has gone through a rigorous process of voluntary peer review conducted by the Commission on Peer Review and Accreditation (COPRA), and has met NASPAA’s Standards for Professional Master’s Degree Programs in Public Affairs, Policy and Administration.
The MPA Program at Northeastern was reviewed for NASPAA Accreditation in 2010, and it is currently reaccredited through 2016.
