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Deciding which college to attend can be a daunting task. For many, it will be the most important decision that they make in their lives. To make an informed decision, you have to consider a lot of variables, such as cost of attendance, financial aid, student/teacher ratio, academics, student life, and more. These factors will either positively or negatively impact the quality of education that you receive.

Do you want to acquire a master’s degree in public safety administration, but don’t know what institution you should attend? Well, if you are as ambitious as I was in my late teens, then you want to attend a top school, instead of an average or mediocre one. Fortunately, we have already done the legwork for you. To help you find the right school for your interests and goals, we’ve compiled a list of 2022’s best master’s in public safety administration programs.

What institution did we forget? Leave your thoughts in the comment section below.

1. Texas A&M University, College Station, TX

The master’s in public safety administration (MPSA) degree program is designed to educate public and private leaders on ethical behavior and accountability. Subjects taught within the degree program include management analytics and budgeting. The MPSA degree program uses internships and externships and yearlong capstone projects to prepare learners for a career in public administration.

2. University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX

The master of professional accounting degree readies learners for leadership positions and is perfect for professionals looking to become heads of private and public organizations. The University of Texas offers the one-year conventional MPA degree and the integrated MPA that enables learners to earn an MPA degree and a BBA degree simultaneously. The university also offers the economics-MPA degree program for people who are pursuing a BA in economics and an MPA.

3. Brigham Young University, Provo, UT

Brigham Young University has two types of master of public administration programs: a conventional MPA and an executive program (EMPA). A sizeable portion of the MPA programs consists of real-life experiences such as grant writing for nonprofits, reviewing data for state agencies, and consulting with municipalities. The conventional MPA degree is for full-time learners and requires two years of study. The EMPA degree program is intended for working adults.

4. University of Georgia, Athens, GA

The University of Georgia has a master of public administration degree designed for learner interested in working in research or the public sector. Classes are geared for learners who aim to lead government offices and nonprofit organizations. Learners must complete 41 semester credit hours, including an internship, to earn an MPA degree. The degree program has a high graduation rate, with 94 percent of enrolled learners fulfilling degree prerequisites within three years. Furthermore, 88 percent of MPA degree holders find employment in the field within six months of graduation.

5. University of Maryland, College Park, MD

The University of Maryland’s master of public policy degree program has several options. The program prepares graduates on public policy best practices and how to handle administrative roles in the public sector. Learners have the choice of pursuing an MPP degree along with an MBA, JD, or MSW. A five-year degree program is also available for people who wish to receive their bachelor’s degree and MPP at an accelerated pace. Individuals who want to work in jobs with international ties may enroll in the master of professional studies in public administration degree program.

6. North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC

The MPA degree program requires 42 credit hours to finish; interested learners can contact advisors about dual degree programs that allow them to receive two master’s degrees with a minimum of 48 credit hours for completion. North Carolina State University is also the only school in the state to offer a PhD degree program in public administration.

The college has partnered with the area’s most notable companies, including IBM and Cisco, to design specialized learning opportunities for learners. The federal government has conferred multi-million- dollar research grants to the college for programs that aid in the advancement of new power technologies, big data analysis, and defenses against nuclear weapons.

7. The Ohio State University , Columbus, OH

Learners enrolled in Ohio State University’s master of public administration (MPA) degree program often pursue jobs in public service, economics, nonprofits, and the private sector. The two-year degree program has learners finish core classes in the first year and then work on electives, focused classes, and their capstone projects in the second year. The capstone project asks learners to collaborate in small groups and find ways to solve real-world problems effectively using strategies from their classwork. The college also has a personalized study degree program for learners who wish to follow a nonconventional educational path.

8. Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA

The MS in public policy and management gives learners a deeper comprehension of how policies work and how to design new solutions for public problems. Carnegie Mellon has five distinct pathways for degree completion. Two of the routes are offered on the Pittsburgh campus with the programs taking two years to finish. Upon graduation, learners will either receive an MSPPM or an MSPPM with a concentration in data analytics.

Learners with at least three years of professional work experience can take the accelerated 16-month path. The international path requires a year abroad in Australia, while the Washington DC path features a year studying in the nation’s capital. Through the degree program’s work experience, internships, and externships, MSPPM graduates are easily able to find job placements.

9. University of Minnesota Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN

The University of Minnesota has a master of public affairs (MPA) degree program geared explicitly to professionals at the midpoint of their careers. Candidates should have a minimum of 10 years of work experience. Most graduates of the MPA degree program go on to secure top positions within private and public organizations. The MPA degree path is usually finished on a part-time basis with 30 semester credits required for graduation. Real-world experience is a critical component of the degree program, and a community service project required for graduation.

10. University of Washington, Seattle, WA

The University of Washington is a top public research college with international partnerships dedicated to innovation. The MPA degree from the University of Washington has long been recognized as one of the most outstanding graduate programs in the nation. Concentrations within the degree program consist of international development, social policy, public policy analysis, and environmental policy management. The MPA degree culminates with a capstone project and requires a 400-hour internship.

11. Binghamton University, Binghamton, NY

Binghamton University’s master of public administration degree helps shape tomorrow’s leaders in the field of public service. Along with the MPA, learners can become certified in concentrations such as non-profit administration and local government management. Dual degree paths are also available with learners able to work on an MPA and a master’s in social work, learner affairs administration, or community health nursing. Binghamton University makes it possible for MPA learners to customize their degree programs to best suit their needs.

12. University of Colorado Denver, Denver, OH

The University of Colorado Denver’s MPA gets leaders ready for positions in public agencies around the world. The MPA is designed for learners who are new to public service; the Executive MPA is targeted for senior staff working adults. To receive the MPA, learners must complete 36 credits; an accelerated pace program is also available.

13. Columbia University, New York, NY

Learners can receive their master of public administration degree from Columbia University in as little as 21 months. The fast-paced degree program centers on public policy development. This degree is offered to professionals with a minimum of three years of work or internship experience.

14. University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT

The College of Social & Behavioral Sciences offers a master of public administration (MPA) degree program, which requires learners to complete 42 credit units. The university has an evening MPA degree program and an executive MPA degree program for learners with at least five years of work experience.

15. Arizona State University, Phoenix, AZ

The School of Public Affairs at Arizona State University has a master of public administration (MPA) degree program. MPA degree graduates must finish 42 credit units within six years of beginning their study. Classes can be delivered via a distance platform, an intensive weekend workshop, or on campus, once a week in the evening.  ASU’s MPA degree program has received accreditation by the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administrations (NASPAA).