Public Administration - M.P.A. Download to print

The Master of Public Administration (M.P.A.) is designed for students wishing to become policy analysts, managers and executives within public and nonprofit organizations. The degree is offered fully online. Each online course utilizes a mix of web-based instruction supported by audio and video technologies direct to the respective student's home.

The M.P.A. program consist of theoretical and applied coursework designed to equip the graduate with the requisite analytical and critical skills necessary to serve the public interest and advance in their career tracks.

Official transcript(s), 3.00 undergraduate GPA, GRE scores, a goal statement, current resume, three letters of recommendation from faculty or individuals familiar with the applicant's ability to do graduate-level work and a writing sample. The writing sample should be a single-authored paper or manuscript completed in undergraduate or graduate school which exemplifies the applicant's critical thinking skills.

Although all applicants are encouraged to submit GRE scores, applicants with five or more years of applied experience working in the non-profit or public sector may apply to the program without taking the GRE exam. In addition, other graduate admission exams such as the LSAT, MCAT, or GMAT may be used as a substitute for the GRE.

In some cases, applicants with GPAs below 3.0 or weak GRE scores may be admitted to the program conditionally provided other supporting materials are strong. 

International applicants whose country of origin's language is not English, must also submit minimum proficiency scores of any of the following: TOEFL (paper-based) 550; TOEFL (internet-based) 79; IELTS 6.5; MELAB 80.

At any time during their M.P.A. program, or after their initial admission, students may transfer in a maximum of 12 semester hours (4 courses) of graduate coursework towards their M.P.A. degree. Transferring in of courses is conditional on the following criteria: (1) the course is graduate level from another accredited university; (2) the course is equivalent to the Kent State M.P.A. program course for which the applicant is seeking to receive credit. This is assessed by the M.P.A. coordinator and requires the submission of the formal course syllabus; (3) official transcripts indicating a grade of B or better (A=4.0); and (4) the submission of a Request for Transfer of Graduate Credit form (available upon request).

For more information about graduate admissions, please visit the Graduate Studies website.

The MPA curriculum requires the completion of 36-39 semester hours, including 27 hours of required core courses and 9 hours of elective courses. To ensure graduates of the program have professional experience in the field, students without substantive full-time administrative experience in a public service organization (i.e. in-service students) must complete at least 3 additional hours of internship. Students with substantive full-time administrative experience in a public service organization may be waived from the internship requirement with the approval of the MPA coordinator. Students who are waived from the internship requirement graduate with a total of 36 semester hours. 

The program can be completed in two years by taking 2 courses per semester, including summers. Courses are offered in an asynchronous online format in back-to-back 7 week sessions. 

Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs and Administration (NASPAA)