Master's Degree in Public Administration

Professionals who’ve earned a Master of Public Administration degree may be prepared to pursue numerous career opportunities in the public and private sectors. In the public sector, government roles may include disaster response, education, public affairs and public health.

In the private sector, where some roles demand large-scale administrative skills, MPA graduates may find opportunities in such areas as human resources, communications and fundraising. Specific roles for MPA graduates are likely to exist in the areas of grant writing, policy analysis, nonprofit management and governance and labor relations.

Yes, at DeVry, your Master’s in Public Administration can be earned 100% online, offering the flexibility to study when and where you like. If you’d like to take select courses on-campus, we also offer a hybrid option.¹

Several factors affect the time it takes to complete any academic program, including the specific program you are enrolled in, any transfer credits you may have earned, and whether or not you are enrolled full- or part-time. This degree program can be completed in as little as 12 months on an accelerated schedule,* or 2 years and 2 months on a normal schedule.** Visit our Graduate Admissions page for more details.

*Accelerated time to complete requires at least 9 credit hours of Prior Learning Credit. Per 12-month period, 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.
**Assumes continuous year-round enrollment for 7 semesters and an average of 6 credit hours per semester and that students remain on a normal schedule throughout their program.

While these master’s degrees are similar in that they both offer coursework in essential business management skills like accounting, financial management, human resources and strategy, there are some key differences between them. The coursework in an MBA program typically emphasizes cost-efficiency and profitability, while the coursework for MPA students tends to focus on social impact. MBA degree holders tend to follow a career path in the private sector, while MPA graduates may be more likely to pursue opportunities in the public sector or with nonprofit organizations.

Several factors can influence the final cost of your MPA program or any academic degree program, such as course waivers², qualifying transfer credits or qualification for a scholarship, grant or group pricing program⁵. Complete financial information, including tuition, fees and expenses, can be found in our Keller Academic Catalog.