100% Fully Online MPA Programs

Click to see more online MPA programs that are currently taking applications.

The online Master of Public Administration is a popular choice for upcoming college students. Online degree programs are a great way for students to pursue their dreams of higher education without having to make too many adjustments to their current lifestyle.

If you are the type of person that can benefit from online MPA programs, you may be wondering what is required for you to apply. If you have spent time searching for college degree programs before, you know that universities can be very different in what they require for admissions, especially between different degree programs.

One Year Online MPA Pograms

In the fast-paced world you live in, more and more students are finding standard educational processes too slow for their own desires. Students that have already completed 4-year bachelor's programs are typically searching for master's level programs that can be completed within a faster timeframe than the popular 2-year option.

The online educational environment has played a role in the widespread availability of higher education, which has set the foundation for accelerated programs. Accelerated programs allow for students to take courses that are shorter in duration or that condense more courses into the semester. People learn at different paces. For those that learn quickly and can handle a full load of courses, accelerated 1 - year programs may be a great option. These accredited programs can provide students with the same courses and instructors as traditional programs, but simply at a more condensed rate.

1 year online MPA programs typically consist of a credit hour requirement from 32-42 hours. Courses are administered 2 or 3 at a time and can be finished in half of a semester. This is organized so that students are completing twice the course load within the standard semester. One university offering this program states that the fall and spring semesters are halved and students must complete 2 courses within each half. During the summer semester, students are required to take 3 courses, which completes the entire program within 1 calendar year. If you are considering this accelerated option, you should prepare yourself for fast-paced learning and dense homework completion periods.

When you are searching for 1 year online MPA programs, it is vital to consider accreditation as a primary resource for reliability. Even though a program claims to be high quality and accelerated, you should always verify accreditation information through the school's website. NASPAA-accredited programs are available all across the United States, providing reputable educational programs to students interested in pursuing careers in public administration. Our team of educational experts has researched some of the popular online MPA programs to assist you in locating some schools that are open for admission. Check out our list of schools below.

• Murray State University:: Accelerated Online Master of Public Administration
• The University of Louisiana Monroe:: Accelerated Online Master of Public Administration
• The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley:: Accelerated Online Master of Public Administration

Click here for other online MPA programs that are currently taking applications for 2022.

Online MPA Programs with Spring Admission

When you are prepared to enter into a MPA program, it is important that you find a school that accepts applicants at all times of the academic year. Some universities still abide by the fall admission standard, while other schools are evolving into a more inclusive concept – spring and summer admissions. Universities that offer admission to students at different times of the year may be more attractive than schools that force students to wait half of a year to apply. If you are interested in finding a school that offers this type of convenience, you may be pleased to find that there are universities across the country offering year-round admission.

Most universities are providing accelerated or other convenient options for students that are motivated to get started on their degree program. Colleges offering flexible admissions may be the best option for you as you begin your journey towards your master’s degree. Rutger’s University in Newark, New Jersey is an advanced university that offers students the option of enrolling into an online MPA program year-round. This program has advantages to their program including low tuition for in-state and out-of-state students, small class sizes, and ease of communication with instructors.

Another university that offers students the opportunity of spring admission is Arkansas State University. This online MPA program at this university allows students to take courses at their own pace, set their own schedule, and have the convenience of year-found enrollment. These advantages can play a large role in the flexibility that is needed for balancing a busy professional life with further education.

Year-round enrollment is not limited to the universities listed within this section. With a lot of different universities understanding the need for more time-consideration, it is likely that you can find many online MPA programs with this enrollment option.

Admissions Requirements and Eligibility

The admissions requirements and eligibility recommendations can be different depending on the university you are looking into. In order to be considered for admissions, students must first submit an official application to the college of their choice. One university offering the online MPA requires that students also submit official transcripts from all attended universities, test scores from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), and 2 letters of recommendation.

GRE Scores

The Graduate Record Examination is required by many schools that offer the online MPA, but there are also schools without the GRE requirement. Some universities may also ask students to turn in a statement of purpose, which is a personalized statement about their desires as a public administration professional and the contributions they intend to make while working in the field.

Field Work Experience

Students that are applying for the online MPA and have extensive work experience in the field of public administration may also provide proof of past employment during the application process for further consideration. This is typically achieved by providing documents or forms from your current employer that show the length of time you have been employed and your job responsibilities. In some cases, work experience can be a stand-in requirement for achievement tests such as the GRE, but this depends solely on the preferences of individual universities.

There are universities that recommend applicants have experience working in the field, but this is not required of all programs. Many administrative positions in government, private business, and public sectors can be considered relevant work experience for this requirement.

Bachelors Degree in Public Administration or Related Field

Students may be considered eligible for online MPA programs if they have previously achieved an undergraduate degree in a public administration field or one that is closely related. During the application process, students are typically required to submit proof of acquisition of a bachelor’s degree, as well as any supporting documents of coursework related to this major. While some schools have a minimum GPA requirement for entry, others may have a more lax requirement for students from related degree programs. There will be more regarding GPA requirements in the section below.

What personal trait/attributes are complementary to the online MPA?

Choosing a degree program can be a life-changing decision. Before you decide to take part in innovative online MPA programs, there are a few things to consider in terms of what is required to be a great fit for this degree program. As you may know, the field of public administration is highly focused on the administrative functions of public service organizations. This means that student entering in this degree field must have a diverse set of skills and personal attributes in order to be successful throughout their experience.

Introduction to the Online MPA

At the beginning of a degree program, students that enter into online MPA programs should have a strong ability to motivate themselves. Self-motivation is a huge part of success in online degree programs, due to the independence that is involved throughout the duration of the graduate program.

You Need Time Management Skills

One of the most challenging aspects of online education is time management. While most students succeed in this area of their education, a lot of people struggle with maintaining a productive schedule – especially when they are employed full-time. Students are often tasked with creating their own due dates and managing their homework and tests within certain timeframes. Self-discipline is a large component of managing this effectively.

You Need to Have a Passion for Public Service

In terms of comprehension throughout the degree programs, students must hold unbiased ideas about public service to society. In order to be an effective learner, a student must be an active listener and proactive researcher. While in the degree program, students might learn more about the potential for conflicting ideals and personalities in the workplace. This encourages the use of innovation and critical thinking. These skills can help students determine effective means of dissolving conflict while respecting the rights and liberties of employees.

You Need to Grow as a Leader

A lot of the curriculum in MPA programs centers around leadership. Not everyone is born a natural leader, so theories and practices of leadership skills are often learned throughout MPA degree programs. Some personality traits that are complementary for leadership professionals is confidence, trustworthiness, and resilience. Not only are these traits great for future work in the field of public administration, but they are excellent traits to help you succeed throughout your online degree program.

GPA Requirements for Online MPA

In addition to having the right type of self-motivation and personality for online MPA programs, students must also prove that they have reached achievement standards of graduate-level degree programs. Most online degree programs list their admissions requirements on their website, in order to make your choice easier in the long run. Some of the factors considered for admissions include undergraduate GPA, GRE scores, previous work experience, and personal and professional references. In this section, you can learn more about how your undergraduate GPA can have an effect on the online MPA programs you are applying to.

Depending on the university, the GPA require can vary dramatically. Some universities that have a high enrollment rate may have a higher GPA requirement than universities with more open seats. This is done to filter applicants based on their overall performance during their bachelor’s program.

One school that offers the online MPA programs asks that students have a minimum GPA of 2.75 on a 4.00 scale in order to be accepted. Other schools offering the online MPA have reported minimum GPA requirements of 3.0 and 3.2. This shows how different the GPA requirement can be depending on where you are searching. If you feel like your GPA would not stand out at a university with a minimum 3.0 GPA requirement, you can find many options at the 2.75 and 2.85 range.

As you look through the prerequisite requirements at different schools, you may see some a deviation in the GPA requirements throughout each academic year. An example of this would be a school that reports students may be required to have a minimum of a 3.0 GPA during junior and senior years of undergraduate education. When this is the case for the minimum GPA requirement, the college you are applying to will only calculate your grades from your last 2 years of your bachelor’s degree for your overall GPA.

If you fall short of the GPA requirements set forth by your university of choice, most schools will consider other components of your application in lieu of this specific score. One university states that students with prior work experience or high GRE scores may be admitted under provisional status. Regardless of where you stand with your undergraduate GPA, there are options to consider when seeking an online MPA program.

List of Online MPA Programs