Master’s
Public Administration
MPA - Public Administration

MPA
Master of Public Administration

Advance your expertise as a public administration professional and make a positive impact on communities. The online Master of Public Administration (MPA) at Capella uses a scholar-practitioner model that helps you take what you learn in the coursework and apply it directly to the real world. As part of the interdisciplinary curriculum, you’ll develop skills to collaborate with diverse populations, including techniques for managing people, technology, finances, and other resources to improve well-being on a societal level. This program is designed to help you prepare for a wide range of public administration career paths.

Real-world skills

Develop your ability to make a professional impact with a blend of theoretical knowledge and practical skills.

Built-in master’s-to-doctoral pathway

Learn valuable industry skills and open the door to doctoral study with a curriculum designed to meet NASPAA and ASPA standards.

No wasted time

The MPA program allows you to apply what you’ve learned and put public administration policies in place.

Classes start January 10

At a Glance

Online
7 Core courses
4 Elective courses
2 Concentrations
1 Integrative project
48 Total quarter credits
12 Max transfer credits

Reduce your tuition by $3,000

Enroll in a qualified program and apply for a $3K Capella Progress Reward, a scholarship to help fund your master's degree. Eligibility rules apply. Connect with us for details.

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Admission requirements

Applicants to the MS in Human Resource Management program must provide the following information for admission:

A bachelor’s degree from an institution accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, or from an internationally recognized institution
Your official bachelor's transcripts, with a grade point average of 2.3 or higher on a 4.0 scale
A $50 nonrefundable application fee, required at the time of application, to cover transcript requests, transcript evaluation, and other administrative costs
A valid, government-issued form of photo identification

GRE and GMAT are not required for admission.

International student requirements

If you completed your most recent academic coursework, degree, or credential at an institution outside the United States, regardless of your citizenship or where you currently live, you are considered an international applicant.

In addition to the above admission requirements, you will need to submit these materials:

Minimum score on acceptable test for proof of English proficiency
Transcript evaluation

Learn more about international student admissions.

GUIDEDPATH

A structured learning format with an active peer community and faculty guidance. We’ll set the schedule, you meet the deadlines.

Learn more about GuidedPath »

Based on the quarter system; 1–3 courses per 10-week quarter
1 semester credit = 1.5 quarter credits
Weekly assignments and courseroom discussions
Pay for what you take, price varies by courseload or term

$19,440–$25,380^* MAX TRANSFER CREDITS–AVERAGE TRANSFER CREDITS

$540 per credit, 48 total quarter credits, 12 max transfer credits

Learning outcomes »

View all tuition and fees »

*This is only an estimate, using general program pricing, and it does not include fees (including application and resource kit fees). Your price may be higher or lower depending on your specialization, transfer credits, and tuition discounts. If transfer credits are allowed in this offering, the prices above show what you would pay if you brought in the average number of transfer credits and the price if you brought in the maximum allowed transfer credits.

Questions about cost?

Contact an enrollment counselor.

92% of alumni would recommend Capella to friends, family and colleagues.*

Apply

*Alumni Outcomes Survey, 2020–2021

“The MPA was a great experience and equipped me with critical-thinking methods.”

Mike Horgen* – MPA student

*Actual Capella graduate who agreed to appear in promotional materials.

Your education is an investment in your future. There are more ways to save than you might think.

$3K toward your master’s

Apply for a $3,000 Capella Progress Reward, a scholarship to help fund your master’s degree.

Military discount

Capella offers a tuition discount to active-duty service members and their spouses, Guard and Reserve members, and veterans.

Transfer credits

Get the credits you deserve. You may be able to save time and money on your Capella degree by transferring credits from an accredited university.

Show course with description

PUAD7015 *	Theories and Concepts in Public Administration Learners in this course investigate the structures, practices, and theoretical underpinnings of public administration. Learners acquire and demonstrate public administration knowledge and skills to provide high-quality professional services to the communities they serve. *Prerequisite(s): PSL7020, completion of or concurrent registration in PSL7030. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer.*	4 quarter credits
PUAD7025 *	Ethics in the Public Sector In this course, learners examine and apply the theoretical and conceptual foundations of various ethical models and use them to analyze and evaluate practices in public administration. Learners also identify ways to ensure public sector agencies act in an ethical and legal manner, while ensuring the integrity of all public sector practices. Prerequisite(s): PSL7030, completion of or concurrent registration in PUAD7015.	4 quarter credits
PUAD7035 *	Public Sector Policy Analysis Learners in this course gain knowledge of differing theories associated with organizational structure, organizational environments, and organizational leadership in public sector settings. Learners also determine ways to effectively apply theories and skills needed to collaborate with diverse populations; manage human, technological, information, financial, political, and networking resources; analyze and formulate appropriate responses to public administration, public health, and public safety issues; communicate clearly and effectively; and maintain professional ethics and integrity. *Prerequisite(s): PSL7030 and PUAD7015; or PSY8002.*	4 quarter credits
PUAD7045 *	Public Sector Budgeting In this course, learners gain and implement skills needed to be sound stewards of public resources. Learners examine revenue streams used to fund government agencies. Learners also apply practices used to develop budgets that mirror public priorities and processes used to ensure funds are appropriately allocated. *Prerequisite(s): PSL7030, PUAD7015.*	4 quarter credits
PSL7010	21st-Century Communication and Leadership This course begins the three-course sequence designed to enhance professional communication, scholarly competencies, and leadership effectiveness. Learners apply theoretical models of leadership and interpersonal relations to practical situations in the workplace. Learners also use contemporary technology to communicate effectively as scholars and professionals in real-world situations. Must be taken during the learner’s first quarter. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer or prior learning assessment.	4 quarter credits

*Course has prerequisite(s). See catalog for details.

View all courses

This specialization is designed for working public administration professionals who want to advance their careers with additional leadership responsibilities. The scholar-practitioner model helps you develop practical knowledge and skills to effectively manage human, technological, information, financial, political, and networking resources. You’ll also develop the ability to analyze and respond to key issues in public administration, public health, and public safety.

On successful completion of this program, you should be able to:

Manage public administration resources effectively
Develop solutions based on citizen involvement, informed decision-making, and leadership
Develop and implement public administration policies and administrative processes
Maintain professional ethics and integrity
Implement equitable solutions for diverse populations in the global community
Communicate clearly and effectively across the public administration discipline

Review the Capella career exploration guide to learn more about this program and career paths to explore.

Your education can help you reach your professional and personal goals. While Capella cannot guarantee that a graduate will secure any specific career outcome, such as a job title, promotion, or salary increase, we encourage you to explore potential jobs and employment settings. Here are some ideas and examples for a graduate with an MPA.

Job titles to explore

Management analyst
Executive director
Director of human resources
Budget analyst
Director of finance
Human resources specialist
Program manager
Policy analyst
City manager
Adjunct or part-time public administration faculty

Employment settings to explore

College or university
Community or technical college
Nonprofit organization
Government – local, state, federal
Hospital
Insurance carrier

*These are examples intended to serve as a general guide. Some positions may prefer or even require previous experience, licensure, certifications, and/or other designations along with a degree. Because many factors determine what position an individual may attain, Capella cannot guarantee that a graduate will secure any specific job title, a promotion, salary increase, or other career outcome. We encourage you to research requirements for your job target and career goals.