Public Administration, MPA
Analytics, Business, Global, International, Management, Policy, Social Policy, analysis, economics, environmental policy, finance, government, leadership, politics
Prepare yourself as a results-oriented, strategic leader capable of keen decision-making through this prestigious, flexible degree program. Become a leader in the public sector by engaging with distinguished faculty and a cohort of exceptional peers.
ASU ranks No. 5 for best graduate public management and leadership program by U.S. News & World Report, 2025.
The Master of Public Administration program equips you with the skills and knowledge necessary to lead and manage in the public sector. It emphasizes the development of competencies in management, public policy analysis, administrative leadership and the ethical governance of public institutions. The program offers you a strong foundation in public service values, organizational behavior, budgeting and program evaluation. With a flexible curriculum, you can tailor your studies to focus on areas such as nonprofit management, urban affairs or policy implementation.
ASU's MPA program is known for its interdisciplinary approach and its alignment with the challenges faced by contemporary public administrators, fostering innovation and evidence-based decision-making.
You may also elect to specialize in one of four approved concentrations:
- emergency management
- nonprofit administration
- public finance
- urban management
This program can be completed full time or part time.
- College/school:
Watts College of Public Service & Community Solutions
- Location: Downtown Phoenix, ASU at Hainan or Online
- STEM-OPT extension eligible: No
ASU offers formally approved and coordinated concurrent degree programs at the graduate degree level. These programs include a designated number of approved credit hours that are shared by two degrees. For most concurrent degree programs, students apply once through the ASU graduate application. However, students pursuing a concurrent program that includes a law degree must submit both the ASU graduate application and the law school application.
This degree is also offered as a concurrent program with the following:
This program allows students to obtain both a bachelor's and a master's degree in as little as five years. Accelerated bachelor's plus master's degree programs are designed for high-achieving students who want the opportunity to share undergraduate coursework with graduate coursework to accelerate completion of their master's degree. These programs feature the same high quality curriculum taught by ASU's world-renowned faculty.
This program is offered as an accelerated bachelor's plus master's degree with:
Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master's during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
42 credit hours including the required capstone course (PAF 509)
Required Core (27 credit hours) Electives or Research (12 credit hours) Culminating Experience (3 credit hours) Additional Curriculum Information
PAF 501 Public Service Research I (3)
PAF 502 Public Service Research II (3)
PAF 503 Public Affairs (3)
PAF 504 Microeconomics of Public Policy I (3)
PAF 505 Public Policy Analysis (3)
PAF 506 Public Budgeting and Finance (3)
PAF 507 Public Human Resource Management (3)
PAF 508 Organization Behavior (3)
PAF 574 Diversity, Ethics and Leading Public Change (3)
PAF 509 Public Affairs Capstone (3)
Students should see the academic unit for a complete list of approved electives. Approved elective credit hours may include courses offered by the school or other academic units in the university.
General university admission requirements:
All students are required to meet general
university admission requirements.
U.S.
applicants | International
applicants | English
proficiency
Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions.
Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a bachelor's or master's degree from a regionally accredited institution in a related field. Related fields include social science degrees, although the department may accept applicants with degrees from all educational backgrounds provided the minimum requirements for the degree program are met.
Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program.
All applicants must submit:
- graduate admission application and application fee
- official transcripts
- two letters of recommendation
- written statement
- proof of English proficiency
Additional Application Information
An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency.
The letters of recommendation should be from faculty members or other academic staff who can evaluate the applicant's academic performance, or from professional sources such as a supervisor.
The written statement should be one to two pages in length and describe the applicant's educational and career goals. This statement is also used as a sample of the applicant's writing abilities.
Applicants also may submit a resume or other documents.
Students enrolling in MPA core courses must demonstrate minimum competency in statistics and American government, typically through the completion of an undergraduate social statistics course, such as PAF 301 Applied Statistics and undergraduate coursework in American national government, such as POS 310 American National Government. Completion of prerequisite courses is not a requirement for admission, but must be completed within one semester after starting the program. Students also may satisfy the American national government competency by successfully completing a noncredit online course offered by the School of Public Affairs to incoming students.
Applicants should email spa@asu.edu if they have questions about the application process.
ASU offers this program in an online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. Applicants may view the program’s ASU Online page for program descriptions and to request more information.
Graduates are prepared to pursue a career in a field related to public administration or public policy. This may include opportunities as a manager or policy analyst in local, state or federal agencies; nonprofit organizations; and private organizations that interface with the public sector.
School of Public Affairs
|
UCENT 400
spa@asu.edu
602-496-0450
Program term definitions
Accelerated programs allow students the opportunity to expedite the completion of their degree.
Accelerated master's
These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).
Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master's during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
Concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests, earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor.
Joint programs, or jointly conferred degrees, are offered by more than one college and provide opportunities for students to take advantage of the academic strengths of two academic units. Upon graduation, students are awarded one degree and one diploma conferred by two colleges.
ASU adds new programs to Degree Search frequently. Come back often and look for the "New Programs" option.
ASU Online offers programs in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. See https://asuonline.asu.edu/ for more information.
The Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP) provides a reduced tuition rate to non-resident graduate students who qualify. Visit the WRGP/WICHE webpage for more information: https://graduate.asu.edu/wiche.
