Answer: The time it takes to complete a Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree depends on several factors including individual program requirements, program format, whether a student enrolls full-time or part-time, and if a student decides to take courses during summer sessions. With those factors considered, the typical MPA student can earn their degree in 18 to 36 months.
The typical MPA program consists of 30 to 48 credit hours of study which correlates to 10 to 13 courses. The standard core curriculum usually focuses on the foundational principles of public administration, with courses covering topics including public policy, research methods, strategic planning, ethics, financial management, administrative theory, and organizational behavior. Once students have completed the core curriculum, they enroll in elective courses, or pursue a cluster of courses as part of a predefined specialization or concentration option.
MPA Specializations may include Criminal Justice, Education Administration and Policy, Emergency and Disaster Management, Environmental Policy and Management, Health Administration, Homeland Security, Human Resource Management, International Administration and Global Policy, Local Government Management, Nonprofit Administration, Public Financial Management, Public Health, Public Management and Organizational Leadership, and Public Policy. Some schools also offer a General Public Administration track, where students can work with an academic advisor to select elective courses that best align with their specific area of interest. Prospective students should explore specialization options, as well as core and elective courses before applying to programs to ensure the programs they choose offer curricula that aligns with their goals and career interests. OnlineMPAPrograms.com categories MPA programs into 14 different specialization options, check out our MPA Specializations page for more information.
Following the completion of core and elective coursework, the final class for most MPA programs is a Capstone Seminar or an Independent Research Project course. This final project is intended to demonstrate a student’s mastery of the skills and knowledge obtained throughout their MPA program. Pre-service students, those without a minimum of one year of relevant professional experience, may also be required to complete a for-credit internship. Internships are often completed during the summer months under the guidance of a faculty advisor. Students with significant professional experience can often obtain a waiver for this requirement and instead enroll in an additional elective course.
Full-Time vs. Part-Time Online MPA Programs
MPA students can expect to earn their degree within 18 to 36 months depending on their enrollment status. Full-time students can typically complete degree requirements in 18 to 24 months, while part-time students often take 24 to 36 months. Accelerated programs, those that offer shorter-length intensive courses may allow students to graduate in 12 to 16 months. Also, for students interested in online Executive Master of Public Administration programs (EMPA), which usually require five to ten years of professional experience, these programs can often be completed in a shorter timeframe, typically 12 to 16 months.
Unlike traditional campus-based undergraduate degree programs that often use either the semester system (e.g., 15-week terms with fall, spring, and summer semesters) or the quarter system (e.g., 10-week terms with fall, winter, spring, and summer quarters), many online master’s programs now use alternative academic calendars. It is not uncommon for online master’s programs to offer numerous terms each year with 4-week, 5-week, 6-week, or 8-week long courses. These condensed, accelerated courses can allow students to take one course at a time and still complete two to three courses over the length of a traditional academic quarter or semester. This format enables students to focus their studies on a singular subject area, which may be advantageous for students who plan to continue working while earning their degree.
Finally, for students who require greater flexibility, most universities allow up to five years to complete an MPA degree program.
Note: It is important to note that students interested in obtaining financial aid should consult with a financial aid advisor at their prospective school(s) to determine the eligibility requirements for financial aid before applying. Schools often require students to complete at least six to nine graduate credit hours per semester (or quarter) to be eligible for financial aid, so students should ensure their intended enrollment option will meet the designated criteria. Requirements can vary based on a school’s academic calendar.