Top MPA Programs: Your Guide to the Best in 2023
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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 an MPA degree 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 MPA programs.
What institution did we omit from this list? Leave your suggestions in the comment section below.
The MPA at the University of Georgia is a 41-credit degree program that works to develop learners who have the technical skills necessary for effective public administration as well as public service values such as accountability, transparency, and ethics. Learners study concepts such as public financial administration, public management, economics for policy analysis, and a series of classes to develop research expertise. The curriculum allows learners to concentrate on areas such as health policy and administration, higher education administration, or local government administration. Admission requires transcripts and GRE scores.
The 39-credit degree has a sweeping curriculum with six concentrations in areas such as public policy, emergency management, and healthcare administration. What’s more, learners may select a concentration in criminology and criminal justice or information and technology management in one of the best MPA programs. The degree program also has an online version.
Florida State University’s MPA requires 42 credits that consist of core concepts such as policy development. Research serves as a key part of the degree with the study of research design and quantitative analysis in public administration. Learners who enter the degree program without at least one year of work experience must finish an internship component. Learners leave the degree program with professional expertise and ethics and the ability to creatively problem-solve as they act with integrity and as stewards.
- Arizona State University School of Public Affairs, Phoenix, AZ
The MPA allows learners to obtain skills in problem analysis, a collaboration that leads to solutions and the effective and ethical management of public agencies. The 42-credit degree program has four student concentrations. Faculty encourage learners without any work experience to start building experience with the degree program’s internship. The school has great flexibility—offering a weekend-intensive format for busy working professionals and online classes. ASU has reasonably priced tuition, helping to make the degree one of the best MPA programs. Admission requires a minimum 3.0 GPA.
The master of public affairs (MPA) offers an on-campus degree program that blends theoretic learning and real-world application. The 48-credit degree program includes the study of empirical methods and applied microeconomics. Learners can customize the degree with concentrations in areas such as international affairs; public management and leadership; and technology, innovation, and information policy. In the first or second year, learners get hands-on experience during an internship with governmental or nonprofit organizations. Admission requires school transcripts and the GRE.
The MPA at the UCF has on-campus and online formats. The 42-credit degree program includes a nine-course core that delves into the specific skills learners need for public service careers. These skills consist of public budgeting, financial management, and analytic methods for public administration. Learners utilize electives to customize the MPA to meet their professional areas of interest. This degree program has dual degree options in criminal justice and nonprofit management. Admission requires no GRE.
Baruch College has both a traditional and nontraditional MPA. The traditional choice requires 42 to 45 credits and grants admission to learners with at least one year of experience, allowing them to take classes in the day, evening, or online. The nontraditional choice, the Executive MPA, serves mid-level professionals with at least three years of experience by offering a Saturday cohort that meets September to June.
The MPA at the University of Missouri has both on-campus and online options. The on-campus version requires 45 credits that consist of foundational knowledge in public policy and leadership. With 15 credits, learners focus on one of two concentrations: public policy or public and nonprofit management. Through a required internship, learners get public service experience, learn how to apply their knowledge in real-world contexts, and build a professional network.
At North Carolina State University, the 40-credit MPA gives learners the choice of selecting an area of concentration or designing an individualized degree program that meets their career goals. The core of the degree consists of the study of public policy analysis, budgeting, and management systems. While the school has no formal MPA concentrations, learners may utilize electives to specialize in various areas.
Learners from an array of backgrounds enroll in the MPA at the University of Kentucky. They obtain analytical, finance, and managerial skills through the 40-credit curriculum, which also emphasizes practical training. Learners attend classes in Lexington, studying concepts such as policy process and strategic planning.
- Texas A&M University Bush School of Government and Public Service, College Station, TX
The master of public service and administration (MPA) degree offers learners foundational knowledge as well as proficiencies in policy analysis, leadership, and research methods. The degree offers a suite of concentrations, including two that are not often available in comparable programs: cybersecurity and security policy and management. To customize their degree, learners select one of three tracks: public policy analysis, public management, or nonprofit management. Learners obtain hands-on training through internships at governmental organizations, NGOs, and think tanks in the US and abroad. Admission requires the GRE or GMAT.
- University of Utah College of Social & Behavioral Sciences, Salt Lake City, UT
The MPA degree program has evening and executive formats to meet the needs of busy professionals. The evening degree program enables students to learn at their own pace, completing the 42-credit degree in a two- to a four-year time frame. Learners finish an MPA core and select an emphasis area such as policy analysis, or they design their own. A semester-long internship offers hands-on experience.
