Online Public Administration Degree :: Accredited Universities

The online Public Administration Master’s degree program at Marist College prepares innovative leaders of public and nonprofit organizations with the knowledge, skills, and values necessary for effectively managing in a diverse, technologically engaged and global society.

The Marist MPA degree program fulfills its mission by applying theory to practice. The graduate degree program emphasizes applied course content through dynamic delivery platforms and is dedicated to the spirit of continuous evaluation and improvement.

Fostering the Development of Knowledge
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The Marist MPA graduate degree program’s commitment to excellence in education is demonstrated through the integration of public administration theories with the practice of management in the public and non-profit sectors. Delivered with the assistance of distinctive teaching methods and technologies, courses investigate various perspectives through an integrated curriculum. Students acquire insight into important content areas of public administration, law, human resources, policy, management and ethics.

Implementing Practical Management Skills
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The Master’s in Public Administration (MPA) graduate degree emphasizes effective communication, quantitative and qualitative analysis, data-driven decision making, and the use of technology to enhance the leadership in, and management of, public organizations. MPA graduate students learn to motivate themselves and others, and encourage creativity while leading groups through organizational change. Courses, grounded in practice, foster critical thinking, problem solving, innovation, and strategic management.

Promoting Public Service Values
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The Marist master’s degree program builds working relationships among Marist MPA faculty, students, alumni, public and non-profit organization leaders, and community partners. Life-long learning is emphasized through a focus on working professionals and the valuable experiences brought to the classroom, whether in person or online. Democratic governance principles are explored as students prepare for leadership roles in a society that requires transparency and accountability from public administrators. Professional ideals support the development of work environments that engender integrity, mutual respect, equity, and fairness. Ethical values are integrated throughout the curriculum to assure students understand critical issues such as working in a global society, cultural competency, sustainability, digital divides, and diversity in the workforce.

Entry Requirements

Applicants must have earned a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution.

Official GRE or GMAT scores are required.

International applicants
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International applicants whose first language is not English must submit one of these test scores

TOEFL - Applicants must submit a minimum score of 550 on the paper based TOEFL exam or a 213 on the computer based TOEFL or an 80 on the Internet based TOEFL exam

IELTS - Applicants must submit a minimum score of 6.5

Other Fees

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In this public administration MBA program specialization, you will acquire the administrative knowledge and skills needed for public administrators who may oversee local, state and federal government agencies. You will explore such diverse areas as budgeting, government relations, personnel policies, politics and urban planning. As a final research project, you will investigate a workplace problem and recommend a plan of preventative action. As a graduate, you might choose to pursue a variety of related positions, including business analyst, policy analyst, budget analyst, budget director, evaluation consultant, program evaluation director, economic research analyst and economic development director.

Entry Requirements

There are two options for entering a master of business administration program (MBA) in the School of Business and Technology Management

Direct Entry: Individuals with a previously completed bachelor's degree in business from a regionally or nationally accredited academic institution may immediately begin the MBA program.

Evaluation Track: Individuals who do not meet direct entry requirements would begin their degree plan with SKS5000-8 prior to taking the remaining courses in their degree plan.

International applicants
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If English is the second language of a student, an official score demonstrating English proficiency is required for admission.

TOEFL

iBT - 79
pBT - 550

IELTS - 6.5
PTE - 53

Other Fees

Average book cost per course: $110

Learning Management Fee (one-time per program): $250

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In this specialization, you will have the opportunity to develop skills in gathering, analyzing and applying data to business decisions. You will explore human resources management, accounting, urban politics and policy analysis, with an emphasis contemporary program evaluation, complex public organization, and environmental compliance, along with strategies needed to meet the challenges in government management at the local, state and federal levels. As a graduate, you may choose to pursue management roles in the nonprofit and government sectors in areas such as budgeting, program evaluation, research analysis and economic development.

Entry Requirements

In order to enter the doctoral (DBA and PhD) programs in business administration, applicants must have earned a master's degree from an accredited university. There are two options for entering a doctoral program in business administration:

Direct Entry:Individuals with a previously completed master's degree in:You must also:
A generalized business area such as business management or business administration OR
A specialized business area (e.g., Master of Finance, Master of Human Resources Management) AND an undergraduate degree in business

Evaluation Track: Individuals not meeting the direct entry requirements must have their transcripts evaluated to determine if previous coursework meets some or all of the Standard Curriculum requirements. Students in the Evaluation Track would begin their degree plan with SKS7000-8 and then take all required Standard Curriculum courses prior to taking the remaining courses in their degree plan.

International applicants
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If English is the second language of a student, an official score demonstrating English proficiency is required for admission.

TOEFL

iBT - 79
pBT - 550

IELTS - 6.5
PTE - 53

Other Fees

Average book cost per course: $110

Learning Management Fee (one-time per program): $250

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In this specialization, you will explore research related to government and public agency budgeting, government relations, public personnel policy management, political systems and urban planning. You will examine laws and regulations, as well as issues and trends affecting public organizations. You will also have the opportunity to analyze field-specific topics, including crisis awareness, municipal planning and development, personnel management, fiscal administration, taxation, health care and education. As a graduate, you will have the knowledge and skills needed to meet the challenges in government management at the local, state, federal and international levels in the areas of budgeting, program evaluation, research analysis and economic development.

Entry Requirements

In order to enter the doctoral (DBA and PhD) programs in business administration, applicants must have earned a master's degree from an accredited university. There are two options for entering a doctoral program in business administration:

Direct Entry:Individuals with a previously completed master's degree in:You must also:
A generalized business area such as business management or business administration OR
A specialized business area (e.g., Master of Finance, Master of Human Resources Management) AND an undergraduate degree in business

Evaluation Track: Individuals not meeting the direct entry requirements must have their transcripts evaluated to determine if previous coursework meets some or all of the Standard Curriculum requirements. Students in the Evaluation Track would begin their degree plan with SKS7000-8 and then take all required Standard Curriculum courses prior to taking the remaining courses in their degree plan.

International applicants
---------------------------------

If English is the second language of a student, an official score demonstrating English proficiency is required for admission.

TOEFL

iBT - 79
pBT - 550

IELTS - 6.5
PTE - 53

Other Fees

Average book cost per course: $110

Learning Management Fee (one-time per program): $250

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Northeastern University's Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree program was founded on serving the needs of the public affairs community. When pursued as an online curriculum, the MPA offers the same practice-oriented, research-based graduate education available to students at our Boston campus. Aimed at professionals seeking management and leadership careers in the public or nonprofit sectors, the online curriculum offers maximum flexibility in scheduling as well as engaged interactions with faculty and fellow students.

Building off of Northeastern’s substantial experience in delivering high-quality education online, this program helps students exchange views, consult with faculty, and work collaboratively, giving them greater freedom to shape their own learning experience.

Learning Objectives
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The MPA program is directed toward developing the analytical, conceptual, and practical competencies required for successful careers in public administration. The ultimate goal is to prepare students to be effective in a dynamic and increasingly diverse professional environment. This includes assisting online students in every possible way to secure internships, post-graduate employment, and overall career advancement.

Faculty and Student Expertise
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Students are served by full-time Northeastern University professors as well as part-time faculty with years of professional managerial and leadership experience in a diverse range of relevant fields. Areas of faculty expertise include policy analysis, nonprofit management, budgeting, state and local government, and a variety of substantive policy areas. Students in the MPA program come from a wide range of academic and professional backgrounds, with many currently employed in the public or nonprofit sectors.

Accreditation
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The MPA program is accredited by the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs and Administration (NASPAA), the specialized accreditor of graduate programs in public administration, public policy, and public affairs.

Entry Requirements

Applicants must have earned a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution.

International applicants for whose English is not a primary language must prove English language proficiency in one of the following ways:

TOEFL - 79 and a writing portion of 20
IELTS - 6.5

Other Fees

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