Master of Public Administration
One Innovative Program. Two Flexible Tracks.
When you look at the streets of your town or city — when you look at the world — do you dream of what could be? Whether you’re working for your local city government or a global nonprofit, you want to make the world a better place to live.
Are you READY to make a difference?
MPA Program Fast Facts
Degree: Master of Public Administration (MPA)
Format: Hybrid (Online and Statesboro Campus) or Executive Track (Fully Online)
Concentrations: Public Management or Nonprofit Management (Hybrid Track Only)
Credit Hours: 39
Completion Time: Five semesters
Priority Deadline*: March 15, 2023
Admission Deadline*: August 1, 2023
*Hybrid Track Fall 2023 deadlines. Executive Track only admits students for Spring Semester start. The MPA degree does not offer summer admission.
Our Masters in Public Administration
The Master of Public Administration (MPA) at Georgia Southern University is a professional graduate degree designed for management and administration in the public sector and nonprofit organizations. Our NASPAA-accredited MPA program provides the focused training you’ll need to excel in a leadership role, mastering a broad set of skills including:
- Budgeting and Finance
- Economic Analysis
- Human Resource Management
- Policy Analysis
- Information Technology
- Resource Development and Grant writing
- Program Evaluation
- Strategic Management
- And more!
With a Master of Public Administration degree, you will gain the advanced career-oriented professional knowledge and skills to elevate your career as a driven leader in public service, government and nonprofit organizations.
Since 1973, Georgia Southern University’s MPA degree program has been a leader in the advancement of public and nonprofit management education. Today, the MPA program is recognized as one of the top graduate programs at the University and one of the best and most affordable MPA programs in Georgia.*
Master of Public Administration, Hybrid Track
The Hybrid Track is ideal for current and aspiring public service professionals who are seeking an innovative, yet more traditional graduate education experience. This track provides an effective education that combines the best of online and in-person course delivery. For example, a typical course divides up online (50%) and in-person (50%) instruction across the semester. In-person instruction takes place on Georgia Southern’s Statesboro Campus, which is the oldest and largest campus at the University. Choose between two concentrations, Public Management or Nonprofit Management.
Master of Public Administration, Online Executive Track
The Executive Track is designed for individuals with a minimum of three years of relevant work experience in the public (civil or military) sector, nonprofit organization, or closely related position. This cohort-based lock-step track is offered fully online with courses delivered in an abbreviated format. The Executive Track admits cohorts annually each spring, with the entire program taking 18-months to complete. In the Executive Track, concentration courses have been carefully selected to expose students to a range of cutting-edge skills and ideas spanning public and nonprofit management.
Where have alumni found jobs in Public Administration?
- U.S. Department of Treasury
- Federal Aviation Administration
- Boys and Girls Club of America
- Governor’s Office of Planning and Budget (Georgia)
- City of Savannah
Admissions Requirements
MPA Program Admission
Admission to the MPA program is competitive. While all students are welcome to apply to the Hybrid Track, note that we do not accept international students to the Executive Track. To apply, applicants must have:
- Undergraduate degree from an accredited institution, with a minimum 2.75 (4.0 scale) cumulative grade point average.
- Resume detailing relevant work and volunteer experience.
- Essay describing applicant’s career goals and objectives, as well as potential for success in the program.
- Executive Track applicants must have a minimum of three years of relevant work experience in the public (civil or military) sector, nonprofit organization, or closely related position.
- TOEFL or IELTS scores (if applicant does not hold a degree from a program or university where English is the official language of instruction).
Additional Considerations
In addition to the above admission standards, international students should visit the College of Graduate Studies for eligibility requirements, as well as for information on out-of-country tuition waivers. International prospective students should also visit the Office of International Programs and Services for information on I-20/DS-2019 visa requests. Note that international students may only be admitted to the Hybrid Track.
International transcripts must be evaluated by a NACES accredited evaluation service and must be a course by course evaluation and include a GPA. Please note that the Department of Public and Nonprofit Studies is not able to waive the application fee or pay for international transcript evaluation.
Georgia Southern is a military-friendly institution. Additional consideration is given to applicants with service in any military branch, reserve unit, or National Guard (active, retired, or prior service; Form DD214 #4 required).
The online application for graduate assistantship positions for Fall 2023 and Spring 2024 is available HERE. This application is for graduate assistant positions in the Department of Public and Nonprofit Studies only and is open to incoming or returning MPA Students. GA positions are awarded by May (fall semester start) and by November (spring semester start) each year.
Additional GA opportunities can be found on the College of Graduate Studies website. Students should reach out to the listed contact(s) for more information about a listed position. Students should also complete the GA application.
Accelerated Bachelor’s to Master’s Program
If you are a bachelor’s degree student interested in a Master’s in Public Administration, you may be eligible for an accelerated bachelor’s to master’s (ABM) program. ABM programs allow you to begin graduate studies in the senior year of your bachelor’s degree so you can accelerate completion of a graduate degree. You’ll earn both a bachelor’s and a graduate degree faster. And since any graduate courses taken as an undergraduate are billed at the undergraduate tuition rate, you’ll save money too. Learn more about the accelerated bachelor’s to master’s programs for the MPA.
FAQs for the Masters in Public Administration
How is the MPA program structured?
Is the MPA program accredited?
What is the format of the MPA program?
How does the Hybrid Track work?
Is there a fully-online option?
Can I attend the MPA program as a part-time or full-time student?
Are there plans to expand the MPA program?
Do you accept international students to the MPA program?
What type of funding opportunities are available?
How long does it take to complete the MPA program?
Who are the faculty for the MPA program?
Who can I contact for more information about the MPA program?
Still Have Questions? Contact Us!
Department of Public and Nonprofit Studies
Georgia Southern University
P.O. Box 8048
Statesboro, Georgia 30460-8048
Phone: 912-478-1400
Email: mpa@georgiasouthern.edu
A Nationally Accredited Program
The Master of Public Administration (MPA) program is a NASPAA accredited degree program. The Department of Public and Nonprofit Studies is a member of the Nonprofit Academic Centers Council (NACC).
*Ranked No. 2 in Affordable Colleges in Georgia 2021 by College Affordability Guide, No. 4 for 2020 Most Affordable Online Public Administration Degrees by OnlineU. Ranked No. 4 in Georgia for the MPA program in the 2020 Best Public Administration Colleges in Georgia.
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Last updated: 3/20/2022
