Top Online MPA Programs

University / School	Online Program	Admissions
Syracuse University	Executive Master of Public Administration (Executive MPA) Earn an MPA for Executives from the #1-ranked Maxwell School. Complete in as few as 15 months.	No GRE Required Website
Grand Canyon University	Online MPA - Government and Policy 100% online, 38 credit hours. MPA degree with a government and policy emphasis focuses on law and administrative processes, public governance and strategic solutions. Additional emphasis available in Health Care Management and Nonprofit Management.	No Application Fee Website
American University	Online MPAP - Master of Public Administration and Policy Top-ranked school for public affairs. NASPAA-accredited. Online MPA, MPAP, MPP.	Website
Ohio University	Online Master of Public Administration MPA equips you for leadership roles in government, nonprofit organizations, and the public sector. Project Management Certificate option available.	No GRE Required Website
Arizona State University	Online Master of Public Administration 100% online, 14 total classes (42 credits). NASPAA Accredited. Prepare for high-impact roles in government, the nonprofit sector, more.	Website

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Click to view all online MPA programs (and related) that are taking applications now for 2025.

Find the best online MPA program for you (most are NASPAA accredited)

Deciding to enroll in an Online MPA program is a big decision, especially for those already employed within government, public administration, public relations, or a related field. Public administration has various implementations in businesses, non-profit organizations, and public service organizations that can potentially provide for lifelong, satisfying careers. A Master of Public Administration degree can help put you in a more qualified position for career opportunities in the public administration sector.

When you are searching for the right online MPA program, you may find that the choices can be overwhelming, since there are a multitude of options available. Should I do an Online MPA? What is the MPP? What accreditation is there for MPA programs? How long are MPA programs and what do they cost?

Getting Started Finding the Right School and Program

Before we get started, let's quickly answer those questions: For accreditation, you should learn about the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration. View an in-depth review of online NASPAA accredited MPA programs. MPA programs vary in length (typically 1-3 year programs) and vary greatly in cost. See our list of online MPA programs for detailed information on tuition, scholarship opportunities, program length, and program overviews.

Here are the most common types of online MPA programs:

• Online Master of Public Administration (MPA)
• Online Master of Public Policy (MPP)
• Online Master of Public Affairs (MPAff)
• Online Master of Public Relations (MPR)
• Online Master of Political Science (MPS)
• Online Executive MPA
• Accelerated MPA
• Online MPA for NGO's and Non-Profits

Click here to search online MPA programs currently taking applications. Or view all of the available MPA programs online, or click to jump to the ranking list of some of the top online MPA programs we've reviewed.

University / School	Online Program	Admissions
Syracuse University	Executive Master of Public Administration (Executive MPA) Earn an MPA for Executives from the #1-ranked Maxwell School. Complete in as few as 15 months.	No GRE Required Website
Grand Canyon University	Online MPA - Government and Policy 100% online, 38 credit hours. MPA degree with a government and policy emphasis focuses on law and administrative processes, public governance and strategic solutions. Additional emphasis available in Health Care Management and Nonprofit Management.	No Application Fee Website
American University	Online MPAP - Master of Public Administration and Policy Top-ranked school for public affairs. NASPAA-accredited. Online MPA, MPAP, MPP.	Website

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Click for online MPA programs that are currently taking applications.

Researching Schools With Our List of Reviewed Online MPA Programs Updated for the 2024 - 2025 Academic Year

Our goal is to provide you with support during this process and provide reliable and researched results that you can count on. We have reviewed the various online MPA programs available to assist you in choosing the right university.

We took different marks into consideration when making this list, including:

• The reputation of the university
• The basic requirements of each university for acceptance
• Tuition costs
• Accreditation, particularly if the MPA program is NASPAA accredited

There are several different factors that come into play when choosing a degree program, including the reliability of the degree program, the costs, and the amount of time it takes to complete. As with any significant decision, you should weigh your options and speak with multiple programs to figure out which is the best fit for you and your goals.

Consider a Featured Online MPA Program

University / School	Online Program	Admissions
Ohio University	Online Master of Public Administration MPA equips you for leadership roles in government, nonprofit organizations, and the public sector. Project Management Certificate option available.	No GRE Required Website
Arizona State University	Online Master of Public Administration 100% online, 14 total classes (42 credits). NASPAA Accredited. Prepare for high-impact roles in government, the nonprofit sector, more.	Website
University of Texas Permian Basin	Online Master of Public Administration Complete in as little as 12 months, six start dates a year, cost-effective tuition.	Website
Johns Hopkins University AAP	Master of Arts in Public Management Areas of focus in Public Administration and Leadership and Public Policy Evaluation.	Website
Johns Hopkins University AAP	Master of Arts in Government 100% online, part time option.	Website

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In-depth review of online MPA programs

Browse some of the top online MPA programs below to get a good idea of your choices prior to enrolling. As with any rankings list, this is a subjective list (though we did our best!), and you can view our methodology below.

One Year Online MPA Programs

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 time-frame 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.

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.

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 time-frames. 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.

When Researching Online MPA Programs: Learn About NASPAA Accreditation

If you want to pursue a carer in public administration, you might be wondering where you should pursue your MPA? How can you be sure that the school you are attending will provide a quality education with a good shot at getting a job in your field? After you have your degree, how can you keep up with recent developments and meet other public administration professionals? Like most career fields, public administration has a professional association that ensures the quality of MPA programs and provides opportunities to network and continue professional development. The Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA) provides these services and is a trusted source of information about MPA programs.

What is NASPAA Accreditation?

The NASPAA is the world-recognized accrediting agency for masters degree programs in public administration, public policy, public affairs, non profit and related fields. The accreditation process requires MPA programs to engage in a self-study, evaluating itself against established standards and its own mission statement. Accreditation ensures that MPA programs are continuously tracking and improving their performance by pursuing their missions and goals, engaging with stakeholders, gathering data on performance metrics, and assessing student learning.

Why the NASPAA?

The NASPAA offers a global standard of excellence in public affairs education. It provides a rigorous system of accountability for MPA programs, which protects both students and their future employers. By providing a set of measurable standards and a way to hold colleges to those standards, the public administration field can focus on the quality of individuals holding a degree rather than making guesses about the quality of the degree itself. NASPAA accredits over 300 MPA programs, making it the largest and most recognized standard in the field.

History of the NASPAA

The NASPAA was formed in 1970, building on the foundation set by the earlier Council on Graduate Education for Public Administration (CGEPA). It started as a subgroup of the American Society for Public Administration (ASPA). In 1977, it became its own independent entity, but continues to be headquartered at the ASPA. It receives funds off and on from USAID, and is currently funded through private grants and membership fees. It has been functioning as an accrediting body since 1980 . In 2009, the NASPAA opened its membership to non-US programs, changing the “N” in its name from National to Network to recognize its global reach.

What Does the NASPAA Do?

The NASPAA is first and foremost an accrediting body, ensuring the quality of public service educational programs. In addition, the NASPAA is a professional association, providing professional development workshops and conferences for working professionals who have completed their MPA and wish to keep up with the most recent scholarship and advance their careers in the field. The NASPAA is also a valuable resource for students seeking to find a quality MPA program, offering datasets and simulations to help them find a school that is right for them.

Standards and Guidance of the NASPAA

The NASPAA updated their standards in 2019. MPA programs must meet these standards to be accredited. The seven standards are:

1. The program is managed strategically, including having a mission statement, setting goals and expectations for student learning, and collecting and reporting performance information on the program.
2. The program’s governance matches its mission, including an appropriate administrative infrastructure and adequate faculty governance.
3. The faculty are appropriate to the mission, including faculty qualifications, diversity, and scholarship.
4. The program serves students, including recruitment practices, admission criteria, support services, and student diversity.
5. The program’s curriculum includes core competencies that reflect its mission and values public service. These competencies are clearly defined and students learn to apply them through experiential learning.
6. The program has the financial and physical resources needed to pursue its mission.
7. The program communicates its mission, accomplishments, and student outcomes with the public and stakeholders.

Mission of the NASPAA

The mission of the NASPAA is to “ensure excellence in education and training for public service and to promote the ideal of public service.” In support of its mission, the NASPAA formed the Institute for Innovative Teaching and Learning for Public Service to promote experiential learning in MPA programs. In 2020, the NASPAA is preparing to launch a platform to provide access to case studies and simulations to its member institutions.

How Do Schools / Programs Become a NASPAA Member?

Before a school can apply for NASPAA accreditation, it must first meet four precondition criteria:

• The host university must be already be accredited by a regional, national, or international agency.
• The mission of the program should emphasize the values of public service.
• The program must grant a master’s degree whose primary focus is on training professionals for leadership in public service.
• The program requires 36 to 48 credit hours to ensure significant interaction between faculty and students.

Once these criteria are met, a school or program applying for accreditation will submit a Self Study Report demonstrating that they meet the NASPAA standards.

Statistics to Know About the NASPAA, based on the 2024-2025 Roster of Accredited Programs

• 314 Member Institutions that offer undergraduate and graduate degrees in public administration or public affairs
• 25 Countries Represented
• Over 23,000 students attend NASPAA accredited institutions

Why Consider a NASPAA Accredited MPA Program?

To gain accreditation, a college or university must demonstrate that its MPA program delivers on what it promises students and follows best practices in the field. A degree from an accredited institution will be recognized as valid and useful by governments, employers, and other universities if you decide to pursue additional education. Students should hesitate before enrolling in a non-accredited institution, as there is little guarantee of quality or that their degree will be seen as valid in the job market.

Online MPA Programs

• Review of the Top Online MPA Programs
• Online NASPAA Accredited MPA Programs
• Online MPA with No GRE Required
• Online 1-Year MPA Programs
• Online MPA
• Online Masters in Public Relations
• Online Masters in Political Science
• Online Masters in Public Affairs
• Online MPP

Full List of All of the Best Online MPA Programs