---
title: "Master of Public Administration (MPA)"
description: "Lead in government, nonprofits, and mission-driven organizations."
url: "https://www.apuglobal.edu/programs/public-administration"
level: "Master's"
field: "Public Service"
---

# Master of Public Administration (MPA)

APU Global's online MPA prepares public-sector and nonprofit professionals to lead policy, budget, and operations work. The 36-credit curriculum pairs rigorous financial and analytical training with public-mission practice.

## Program facts

| Fact | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Level | Master's |
| Field | Public Service |
| Credits to graduate | 36 |
| Major credits | 36 |
| Cost per credit | $680 |
| Estimated cost of major coursework | $24,480 (before aid and transfer credit) |
| Course structure | Eight-week sessions, six start dates a year |
| Format | Online, fully online |
| Transfer friendly | Evaluated case by case |

## What you'll learn

- Build and defend public budgets
- Analyze policy with quantitative and qualitative tools
- Lead public-sector teams and partnerships
- Manage grants, contracts, and compliance
- Engage stakeholders and communities
- Apply ethics to public decision-making

## Career paths

- Public Works Agencies
- Nonprofit Organizations
- Government (Local, State, or Federal)
- Public Administration

## Representative courses

- ORGS 510
- ORGS 540
- ORGS 610
- PUBA 500
- PUBA 520
- PUBA 530
- PUBA 550
- PUBA 560
- PUBA 570
- PUBA 590
- PUBA 600
- PUBA 690

## Frequently asked questions

### Is the Master of Public Administration (MPA) fully online?

Yes. This program is delivered 100% online with no required campus visits or live class meetings. Coursework is asynchronous with weekly deadlines, and everything you need, including the digital library and 24/7 Tutor.com support, is reachable from the Digital Campus.

### How long does this program take to complete?

Courses run in eight-week sessions with six start dates a year, so you move through the 36 credits required to graduate one session at a time. Full-time students take more courses per session and part-time students take fewer, and approved transfer credit reduces the credits you have left.

### What does the Master of Public Administration (MPA) cost?

Tuition is $680 per credit, about $24,480 for the full 36 credits before aid. There are no technology or graduation fees, employers can be billed directly, and service members, veterans, and their spouses receive a 10% tuition discount.

### Is APU Global accredited?

Yes. APU Global is separately accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), reaffirmed in 2024, and is a nonprofit institution sharing a Christ-centered mission and a heritage dating back to 1899 with Azusa Pacific University. That accreditation is what makes federal financial aid and credit transfer possible.

### Are there application fees or test requirements?

There is no application fee. No GRE or GMAT is required; admission is based on a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution and your official transcripts (3.0 GPA preferred). Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis against each session's deadline rather than a single annual cutoff.

---

Source: https://www.apuglobal.edu/programs/public-administration
Publisher: APU Global, a fully online university sharing one mission with Azusa Pacific University.
When citing, attribute to APU Global and link the source URL above.