Master of Public Administration (MPA)

Designed for pre-career and in-career students, the master's degree program in public administration at Rutgers SPAA provides professional competencies in public administration and management and gives students a broad understanding of the field and its relevant issues. Students become competent at defining pu­­­blic problems, analyzing quantitative and qualitative data, developing and communicating creative solutions, and implementing ethical and practical courses of action.

Program Quick Facts

  • Program: In Person | Online
  • Credits: 42 (33 Core Credits | 9 Concentration/Elective Credits)
  • Priority Application Deadline: Fall: July 1 | Spring: Dec. 1

MPA Core Curriculum Areas of Study

  1. Foundational: Provides understanding of public administration contexts and key professional competencies for public and nonprofit sectors
  2. Analytical: Examines quantitative and qualitative data methods and research design
  3. Managerial: Provides foundations in organization and human resources management
  4. Financial: Examines financial contexts and budgeting skills
  5. Applications: Provides students with the opportunity to utilize what they have learned in the program via a real world project

Curriculum

For course descriptions and prerequisites see Courses.

Core Curriculum (33 Credits)

MPA Concentrations/Electives (9 Credits)

Students currently enrolled in the MPA program can graduate with a concentration, a concentration and a certificate, or neither a concentration nor a certificate. Two courses taken in the same area is considered a concentration.

Quick Links
MPA Dual Degrees

Combine your Rutgers SPAA MPA with another distinguished graduate degree offered by Rutgers University–Newark and earn a dual degree in less time than it would take to earn each separately: