100% Online Master of Public Administration (MPA) [Prior to Fall 2023]

The 100% online MPA (Master of Public Administration) from Rutgers School of Public Affairs and Administration (SPAA) gives pre-career and in-career 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.

> Discover Why Rutgers SPAA is the place for aspiring leaders to gain the knowledge and skills required for successful Careers in government or the nonprofit sector
> Read our Alumni Stories to see what some of our alumni do with their degrees from Rutgers SPAA

Program Quick Facts

  • Program: 100% Online
  • Credits: 42 (33 Core Credits | 9 Concentration/Elective Credits)
  • Application Deadline: Fall: Jul. 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

Capstone Project

The capstone provides students with an opportunity to integrate learning from various courses with application to real-world issues and career ambitions. Students work individually under the guidance of a faculty member to 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. The outputs are a final project as well as a presentation to fellow students, faculty members, and invited guests. The capstone seminar serves as a culminating experience in the MPA program.

Curriculum

Candidates for the MPA degree complete 42 credits of coursework, which includes a required core curriculum of 33 credits and 9 credits for electives. Each course represents three credits; there are a total of 14 courses in the degree.

For course descriptions and prerequisites see Courses.

Core Curriculum (33 Credits)

 
Electives (9 Credits / 3 courses required)

Three elective courses are required to earn the MPA degree. Students enrolled in the MPA program can graduate with a concentration, a concentration and a certificate, or neither a concentration nor a certificate. Taking two courses (6 credits) in the same area of study is considered a concentration. A certificate requires 9 credits. Students may take elective courses outside of SPAA from relevant Rutgers departments and schools with the prior approval of the MPA Director.

Rutgers SPAA offers the following MPA concentrations:

 

To Apply / Admission Requirements

For admission requirements and application information and deadlines see Apply Now.

 

 

Program Costs

For information on tuition rates and program fees see Tuition & Fees.

Rutgers University employees can use tuition remission for the 100% online program as approved by SPAA. For questions, contact Aaron Gibbs, associate dean of student and academic services, at algibbs@rutgers.edu.

 

Academic Policies, Procedures & Forms

For MPA program information such as the student handbook, mission statement, and advisement forms, see Academic Policies, Procedures & Forms.

 

Degree Completion / Individualized Dual-Degree Option for the MPA

Apply your graduate credits from another program toward earning your Rutgers MPA, either on campus or 100% online. Learn more about our Degree Completion / Individualized Dual-Degree Option for the MPA.

 

For More Information

To learn more, Request Information or Join a SPAA Info Session. 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.

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