MPA Degree
Academic title: Public Administration, MPA
37 Credits
to Graduate
January 11
Next start date
*Recommended apply date is minimum 6 weeks prior to next start date.
Earn your Master of Public Administration degree online
Advance your career in public service leadership with a Master of Public Administration (MPA).
You'll build leadership, policy analysis, stakeholder engagement and organizational management skills to solve challenges facing communities. As a MPA student, you'll also complete a capstone project focused on a practical innovation for your workplace, helping you make an immediate impact.
The Master of Public Administration program is accredited by the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA).
Earning your Master of Public Administration degree can help advance your career in government and community organizations. Recent graduates are currently employed in roles like city manager, nonprofit executive director, legislative aid, community planner and more.
Online Master of Public Administration degree overview
| Core credits | 28 |
|---|---|
| Elective credits | 9 |
| Total credits to graduate | 37 |
How much does a Master of Public Administration degree cost?
The cost shown below is based on the current tuition and fee estimate. Your actual cost of attendance for financial aid purposes may vary based on your assigned tuition rate, the number of credits you're enrolled in and the length of your enrollment period. If you're enrolled in a single module instead of a full semester, your housing and food, transportation and personal expenses will be adjusted based on the number of weeks you're enrolled (for example, 12-week or 8-week modules). If you're enrolled less than half-time, your cost of attendance will not include housing and food, personal expenses or loan fees.
- Military tuition benefits: Active duty, veterans and military-affiliated students may qualify for reduced tuition, waived fees and need-based awards.
What can you do with a Master of Public Administration?
A Master of Public Administration will prepare you for advanced roles in local, state and federal governments, and nonprofit and service organizations. The average salary with a MPA is $85,000 in the United States (PayScale, 2026).
| Career | Projected Salary |
|---|---|
| Policy Analyst | $80,060 |
| Administrative Manager | $106,880 |
| Social and Community Service Manager | $78,240 |
| Local Government Manager | $115,640 |
All data and statistics in this section are from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Admission requirements
- An undergraduate grade point average of at least 3.0 (on a 4.0 point scale).
- Completion of an undergraduate research methods course with a grade of B- or above.
- An essay (two to three pages in length) that discusses your professional goals and how completion of the program will facilitate the achievement of those goals. If you do not meet the minimum undergraduate GPA requirement, you must also use the essay to explain the circumstances that contributed to your undergraduate academic performance and describe the steps you have taken to ensure your success in the M.P.A. program.
- Contact information for three references. References can be former professors, public service professionals, or alumni of the M.P.A. program that attest to your potential to succeed in the program.
- A current résumé.
- If you are an international student whose first language is not English, a combined score of at least 79 on the TOEFL Internet-Based Test (iBT) or TOEFL Paper-Delivered Test is required with a score of at least 21 points being achieved on the writing portion of the test. English Language Institute (ELI) courses at CMU may be required for those students who do not meet these criteria.
- Per university policy, admission with stipulations may be considered for applicants with backgrounds or grade point averages that do not meet these requirements. Courses taken to meet these requirements may not be counted toward graduate degree requirements. Regular admission status should be requested upon completion of all admission stipulations.