Master of Public Administration
South University’s Master in Public Administration degree program is designed to prepare you for success in a leadership role with organizational and managerial expertise within the local, state, and national government entities and non-profit organizations. Our curriculum pulls from a broad range of disciplines to provide both general and specialized information that will benefit students in this career. Topics of instruction include a thorough understanding of political, social, institutional, and organizational systems, developing an operating budget for such systems, and ethical decision-making skills.
Course Requirements
Admissions Requirements
Admissions criteria for the Master of Public Administration (MPA)
Graduate Admissions - Masters level
Prospective students are required to submit the following:
- Completion of application for admission
- Official transcripts for bachelor or graduate degree within 5 weeks of the class start date (refer to Conditional Acceptance). (All credentials earned outside the United States must be evaluated by a NACES or AICE-member credential evaluation service). Please speak with an admissions representative for more information.
Note: See program notes and specific requirements below for each graduate - masters level degree program
Specific requirements for admission to classified graduate status are:
- A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.
- Completion of application for admission.
- A 2.0 overall grade point average or higher on completed requirements for the baccalaureate degree, or an earned graduate degree from an accredited institution.
For additional admissions information please see the admissions section here.
Outcomes
Upon completion of the program, students will be able to:
Analyze how economic, political, legal, and social institutions influence decisions in public administration.
Examine challenges faced by public sector organizations and the potential approaches for addressing them.
Prioritize political and administrative systems to support effective governance and public service delivery.
Examine quantitative and qualitative data to guide legal and ethical decision-making in public management.
Apply leadership and management principles and practices to address challenges in public and nonprofit organizations.
Career Outlook
These are some of the career options* you can explore when you have earned your degree:
- City/County Supervisor/Manager
- General and Operations Managers
- Policy or Legislative Supervisor/Manager
- General Managers
Individuals in these roles are typically found within various sectors, including but not limited to, corporations, government agencies, healthcare facilities, lobbying firms, and law firms. They are established in their field; seeking to gain additional experience working in the public sector. They use global perspective, direct and clear communication skills, and effective leadership and management techniques in their work.
*South University does not promise or guarantee licensure, employment, or salary amounts.
New Student Orientation
The New Student Orientation helps students develop skills and behaviors of a successful college student:
• Learn about South University and the resources available to support their success.• Practice using the same tools they will encounter in their courses, including Discussions, Microsoft Word/PDF document uploads, and Quizzes.
• Build confidence navigating University systems through an interactive Virtual Scavenger Hunt Quiz.
• Actively engage with course content rather than simply acknowledging completion.
BrightSpace
BrightSpace is an online learning management platform that keeps students connected to classwork and instructors.