Master’s in Public Administration

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Make a difference with an online Master’s in Public Administration

When you care deeply about your community, discovering a pathway to create change in areas that matter to you is a powerful moment. Here at DeVry University’s Keller Graduate School of Management, we empower you to be that change. With us, you can deepen your skills to carve out your unique path, whether you want to apply your passion to streamline healthcare or to make a positive impact in government.

When you earn your Master’s in Public Administration here at Keller, you’ll immerse yourself in the advanced concepts and skills you need to pursue a senior role and become the type of leader you envision: 

  • Practice real-world responsibilities like budgeting, policy, and governmental relationships with projects that simulate realistic scenarios. 

  • Develop leadership and management skills that equip you to supervise teams, oversee projects, and influence decisions.

  • Prepare for a meaningful career path that allows you to contribute to improvements within communities, healthcare, and government systems. 

  • Automatically earn a second credential: When you pursue our Master’s in Public Administration with a Healthcare Management Specialization, you’ll earn a built-in Graduate Certificate in Health Services Management along the way.1

Classes start on July 7, 2025

Ready to make a difference in public service? Let’s get started. 

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  • 01 Curriculum
  • 02 Specializations
  • 03 Accreditation
  • 04 Ways to save
  • 05 Careers
  • 06 FAQs

What you’ll learn in our online MPA program

You have what it takes to push public service forward. Wherever your passions lie, from leading nonprofits to driving policy reform to managing healthcare systems, you can learn the skills you need for it all right here at Keller.

Management and leadership

Develop leadership skills to strategically direct teams and organizations in the public sector.

Global communication

Learn to collaborate in a dynamic work environment to support communications on a global scale.

Organizational structure

Examine and improve the alignment of organizational vision with structure, processes, and culture.

Strategic leadership

Practice directing teams and businesses while integrating managerial and technical skills to boost efficiency.

Finance and policy

Analyze data to make informed business decisions, optimize budgets, and influence policy. 

Master’s in Public Administration online courses and credits

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Classes

13

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Credits

39

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Semesters

4-72

Develop essential leadership, communication, and governance skills in classes like: 
MIS540
Innovations Through Technology
LEAD570
Leadership in the Age of AI
PA601
Public Administration Capstone
Your program perks

  • Learn from expert-reviewed curriculum: To ensure you receive relevant education for your goals, our program is regularly reviewed by faculty and industry experts to ensure curriculum aligns with emerging trends in your field.

  • Demonstrate your skills with a capstone project: Showcase the culmination of your education with a final project, where you’ll create and present a comprehensive plan tailored to your unique career path.

  • Focus your degree on your goals: Choose a specialization that aligns with your specific ambitions within healthcare or government systems.

  • Enjoy a flexible online learning environment, so you can study on your own time. You can also explore our on-campus classes.3

     

Pick your online MPA specialization

Public administration is filled with opportunities to make a real difference in your community. In our online MPA program, you can focus your degree to align with your future plans. Whether you’re passionate about contributing to the healthcare system or shaping government policy, here at Keller, we’ll help make your career goals a reality.

 

Healthcare Management

If you’re excited about improving the patient experience and streamlining healthcare operations, this specialization will prepare you to go after your dreams. Explore healthcare finance, legal and ethical issues, health policy, and how managed care programs are evolving:

  • Survey the major components and organizational interrelationships of the U.S. healthcare delivery system. 

  • Examine the growing importance of legal and ethical matters in healthcare from a managerial point of view.

  • Analyze the unique features of healthcare finance, including payment sources and reimbursement agreements.

  • Explore the relationship between healthcare economics and public policy.

  • Consider the evolution and development of managed care approaches delivering and financing health services in the United States.

Request info Program guide

Government Management

Learn to make positive change through policy or nonprofit leadership in this specialization, which will prepare you to pursue a role in government management and develop skills related to governmental operations and public policy: 

  • Explore how governments make decisions and how different levels of government work together to implement and manage programs.

  • Analyze, manage, forecast, and use financial systems and budgeting processes.

  • Evaluate, assess, apply, and formulate policies using decision-making models and cost-benefit analysis. 

  • Navigate, manage, resolve, and facilitate collaboration between government levels.

Request info Program guide

Get credit for your credits

When you pursue our Master’s in Public Administration with a Healthcare Management Specialization, you’ll automatically earn a Graduate Certificate in Health Services Management along the way — no additional coursework or added steps required.1

DeVry Stackable Programs
DeVry Stackable Programs

Accreditation matters

Being accredited means we’ve met rigorous quality standards and are committed to giving you the education you deserve. Our accreditation and recognitions include:

  • Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP): Our Master’s in Public Administration is accredited by the ACBSP, www.acbsp.org, demonstrating it has met standards of business education that promote teaching excellence.4

  • The Higher Learning Commission (HLC): DeVry University is accredited by the HLC, www.hlcommission.org. Our Keller Graduate School of Management is included in this accreditation. 

Learn more about our
accreditations
ACBSP
ACBSP

MPA career paths

Public administration is an exciting field filled with opportunities to make an impact in areas that matter to you. Whether you envision a future in healthcare, government, or the nonprofit world, your vision is possible here at Keller.

Here are some career areas to consider with a Master’s in Public Administration: 

  • Administrative services management 

  • Medical or health services management 

  • Regulatory affairs and compliance management 

  • Social and community service management

During school, after you graduate, and throughout your career, we’re here to help you reach your goals — no matter what comes next. Our Career Services team provides tools, resources, and hands-on guidance to help you pursue your career in public administration. 

 

Ways to save

Discover options that can help make your education more affordable.

 

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Scholarships and grants  

Save money with a variety of scholarship and grant opportunities.5
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Prior learning credit 

Real-world experience counts – see how you can get credit for previous work, volunteer, or training hours.
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Employer reimbursement

Find out if your employer offers tuition savings or reimbursement.
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Military and veteran benefits

Learn about savings for veterans, active-duty U.S. military members, and their spouses.
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Get started with your online Master’s in Public Administration

It’s your turn to make an impact. Contact us to get started. 

Frequently asked questions

What can I do with a Master’s in Public Administration?

With a Master’s in Public Administration, you can pursue senior-level career opportunities in government, healthcare management, and nonprofit organizations. You can also pursue careers in the private sector, especially roles that focus on policy analysis, operations, budget management, and regulatory affairs.

What jobs require a Master’s in Public Administration?

A Master’s in Public Administration can lead to a wide range of roles, but a few career paths that require this degree are:

• Administrative services management
• Medical or health services management
• Regulatory affairs and compliance management
• Social and community service management

Professionals with a Master’s in Public Administration often work in government offices, nonprofit organizations, or large healthcare companies.

Is a Master’s in Public Administration worth it?  

Yes, a Master’s in Public Administration is worth it for many people because it can lead to a variety of rewarding career paths, especially for those who want to make a positive impact in public service. When you earn your Master’s in Public Administration here at Keller, you’ll develop job-ready skills, go deep into advanced concepts, and learn from curriculum that’s regularly updated with insight from industry professionals. 

We’ll also support you after graduation with unlimited Career Services resources. 

What is public administration?

Public administration is a field that implements and manages government policies, programs, and services. It plays a role in healthcare, nonprofit work, public universities, and even private corporations. Public administration is essential in ensuring that the healthcare system and government programs are effective and responsive to the needs of society.

What is an MPA vs. MBA? 

A Master’s in Public Administration (MPA) and a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) are both master’s degrees that offer deep learning and leadership skill-building, but they have a few key differences:

• An MPA prepares you to pursue leadership and management roles in the public sector, nonprofit organizations, or healthcare.
• An MBA focuses on business and management skills within the private sector, preparing you to pursue leadership roles in a wide range of companies and organizations.

How do I apply to Keller? 

Applying is quick and easy:

1. Talk to an admissions representative: Fill out a brief form, and we’ll reach out to walk you through the process.
2. Submit your application: We’ll take you through the application over the phone. If you prefer, you can apply online. It only takes 5-10 minutes.
3. Enroll in your first courses: Once everything is submitted and verified, we’ll help you build your schedule.

Learn more about admissions.

1Future programmatic changes could impact the ability to earn additional credentials en route to an eligible degree program at Keller. Refer to the academic catalog for details.

2Accelerated schedule requires at least 9 credit hours of Prior Learning Credit. Assumes completion of 3 semesters, enrollment in an average of 10 credit hours per semester and continuous, full-time year-round enrollment with no breaks per 12-month period. Normal schedule does not include breaks and assumes 3 semesters of year-round, full-time enrollment in an average of 6 credit hours per semester per 12-month period.   

3Program, course, and extended classroom availability vary by location. In site-based programs, students will be required to take a substantial amount of coursework online to complete their program.

4Conferral and Assessment data: Available for all of DeVry and Keller's ACBSP accredited programs. For a full list of DeVry University's business degree programs accredited by ACBSP, please see the Accreditation page.

5Scholarships are available to those who apply and qualify. Click here for more information, including any requirements or restrictions. Students may participate in only one DeVry University-based scholarship, grant or group tuition benefit program at a time. Those who qualify for more than one program will be presumed to accept the program with the highest reduction per session cost, unless the student confirms their desire to participate in different program in writing prior to starting classes at DeVry. Scholarship and grant terms and eligibility conditions are subject to change.