PROGRAM DETAILS
2 Yearsto complete your degree
Onlinecareer-focused curriculum
7 or 15week course length
19:1student to faculty ratio
Program Overview
Ready to serve the greater public good through your leadership? With our online Master of Public Administration you can prepare to take the lead in making the most of public and community resources and initiatives. This MPA degree online program develops your public service leadership approach to a number of settings — from government administration to nonprofit management and more.
Students in this program will study leadership, personnel management, policy evaluation, and ethical governance practices. This online program links theory, policy, and practice, giving students the opportunity to learn and utilize skills required for leadership positions in both the public and third sectors.
This program is offered in collaboration with JWU’s John Hazen White College of Arts & Sciences.
What You'll Learn
- Critically analyze and use knowledge of academic theory, legal issues and/or regulations to inform ethical practice and policy formation within public and third sector organizations/agencies.
- Manage and apply effective standards of public and third sector governance within organizational structures.
- Assess and effectively manage sector-specific functions, programs and resources.
- Advance professional communication, public outreach and responsiveness standards in a manner that promotes accountability, inclusion and other public service values.
Take the next step in your public administration career with an MPA degree online from Johnson & Wales University. Start your application today.
Tuition & Fees
At Johnson & Wales University, we believe a high-quality education should help you reach for your career goals, so we are constantly working to provide competitively-priced college tuition.
Resources for Paying for College
Scholarship Opportunities
Learn how you may qualify for a scholarship, including our 20% Graduate Success Scholarship.
Financial Aid Options
Applying for financial aid doesn’t have to be a chore. We can help. Explore all your financial aid options today.
ONLINE MPA PROGRAM Sample Courses
Coursework for your online MPA degree covers the essentials for effective oversight of public service resources and initiatives, including leadership approaches, evidence-based decision-making, personnel management, policy evaluation and ethical governance. Take a look at some options of courses you could take.
MPA Core Courses
| Course Title |
|---|
| Effective Leadership |
| Program Evaluation |
| Strategic Planning and Leadership in Nonprofit Organizations |
| Public Personnel Administration |
| Public Policy Analysis |
| Program Evaluation |
MPA Elective Courses
| Course Title |
|---|
| Social, Community and Restorative Justice |
| Leading and Managing Large-Scale Transformation |
| Counterterrorism |
| Emergency Management and Planning |
| Homeland Security |
| Ethics, Corporate Social Responsibility and Law |
Please note that some courses may be 15 weeks long. For the most up-to-date and complete course listing information, as well as full course descriptions, visit our catalog.
Admissions Requirements
Ready to begin your online MPA program? Johnson & Wales Online is here to help. We start with a dedicated online admissions associate who will work with you one-on-one to answer all your questions and help guide you through the process. We cap it off with a free application and no GRE or GMAT requirements.
If you already hold an undergraduate degree and you’re ready for more, click the button below to get started today!
WHAT CAN YOU DO WITH A Master of Public Administration DEGREE?
Your JWU MPA degree online positions you for career growth in a number of job fields through a well-rounded background in public administration. Whether you are looking to advance or start your public administration career, this program can help you prepare for the following roles:
- Social and Community Service Managers
- General and Operations Managers
- Urban and Regional Planners
- Compliance Managers
- Regulatory Affairs Managers
In addition, you can explore Lightcast’s Career Coach tool to discover career paths that value your expertise in public administration. To learn more about how we collect employment data on our graduates, visit our Lightcast & Career Coach page.
Why Johnson & Wales University?
Prepped for the Professional World
We work with industry-leading employers to ensure career-relevant curriculum is at the core of every educational experience we offer. And we pack each program with skill-building opportunities and experience-based learning to help you be career-ready upon graduation.
Personalized Support
We are committed to your success – both academically and professionally. From dedicated academic advisors to career services to tutoring help, we offer one-on-one support throughout your educational journey with us.
Learning on Your Schedule
We help working professionals like you overcome obstacles to learning. That means providing the flexibility of online degree programs as well as a range of student services to provide the tools and support you need to succeed in class and throughout your career.
Backed by Student Approval
Based on a 2024 EdSights survey of JWU Online students, three out of four students would recommend JWU Online to a friend. Most notably, JWU Online achieved a Student Voice Score (SVS) of 65, far surpassing the national private 4-year institution average score of 3. To learn more about our SVS, which measures our students' overall satisfaction with JWU Online, visit out EdSights Student Voice Score page.
“The online master’s program was flexible enough for me to give my son the time that he needed, while working and going to school. I highly recommend the MPA program for anyone who aspires to become a leader in nonprofit and mission-focused organizations.”
- Emmeline Orrellana, ‘24 Read the Full Story
Career Coach
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