Master of Public Administration (MPA): Public Management or Nonprofit Management

The Master of Public Administration (MPA) program at Rutgers SPAA provides the cutting-edge knowledge and professional skills needed for successful careers in government, the nonprofit sector, international organizations, and even the corporate world.

The curriculum is designed to prepare students to address complex challenges in public sector management. Students become highly competent in leadership and management, the policy process, evidence-based decision-making, public service values, and interacting productively with a diverse workforce and society.

Program Highlights

Top-Ranked Program: SPAA is consistently ranked as a top school in public management by U.S. News & World Report.
Customizable Track: Choose a foundation in either public management or nonprofit management and enjoy the flexibility to shape your degree around your specialized interests and career goals.
Specialized Certifications: Apply electives toward one or more certificates offered in Budgeting and Financial Management, Healthcare Administration, Leadership of Public Organizations, Nonprofit Management, and other areas of professional specialization.
Experienced & Renowned Faculty: Rutgers SPAA embodies excellence in research and practical proficiency through its distinguished faculty of accomplished scholars and practitioners who bring real-world expertise to the classroom.
Applied Learning & Research Opportunities: Students have the opportunity for hands-on learning and research through the projects-based capstone course.
Flexibility & Accessibility: Start the program any time of the year on a full- or part-time basis and quickly finish your degree without sacrificing your career or personal commitments.

Quick Facts

Modality: On Campus / Online
Enrollment: Full-time / Part-time
Track Options: Public Management or Nonprofit Management
Credits: 42 (21 core credits / 18 elective credits / 3 capstone credits)
Courses: 14 (7 core courses / 6 elective courses / 1 capstone)
Priority Application Deadlines: Fall: July 1 / Spring: Dec. 1
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Program Director: Suzanne Piotrowski, PhD

Curriculum

The MPA curriculum at Rutgers SPAA provides a solid foundation in the field’s core knowledge and skills while allowing students a wide range of flexibility to shape the degree to their interests and career goals.

For course descriptions and prerequisites, see Courses. Courses are available on campus and online.

Students choose a foundation in either public management or nonprofit management.

Required:

Public Management Track:

Managing Public Organizations (3)
Government Budgeting (3)

Nonprofit Management Track:

The MPA allows for six (6) elective courses (18 credits) that students can use to pursue their individual interests and career goals. A variety of elective courses, including special topics courses, are available each semester from SPAA and across Rutgers. Students can fashion their own specialization by choosing from elective courses on topics such as labor relations, leadership and diversity, government technology, administrative law, performance measurement and evaluation, the policy process, and more.

Elective courses can also be applied toward one or more graduate certificates offered in Budgeting and Financial Management, Healthcare Administration, Leadership of Public Organizations, Nonprofit Management, and other areas of professional specialization.

The capstone serves as a culminating experience in the MPA program and provides students with an opportunity to integrate their learning from coursework with application to real-world issues and career ambitions. Students develop either a research paper (thesis) on a topic of interest or a professional portfolio (often in the form of a website) showcasing their academic work, community engagement, and professional competencies from across the MPA curriculum.

Required:

Capstone Project (3)

Public Administration Careers

See what SPAA alumni are doing with their SPAA degree and learn how to serve the public good with a meaningful career in public administration.

Careers in Public Administration >

To Apply / Admission Requirements

How to Apply (MPA) >

Questions?

If you have questions about a program or the application process, contact Aaron Gibbs, associate dean of student and academic services, at algibbs@rutgers.edu.