Online Master of Public Administration, MPA
Delivered by the prestigious Joseph R. Biden, Jr. School of Public Policy and Administration, our online MPA program allows you to practice leading-edge management and problem-solving skills as you enhance your knowledge of the field. Plus, you’ll gain the professional experience you need to make values-based decisions in your ideal public administration career.
PROGRAM BENEFITS
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Online Master of Public Administration, MPA | University of Delaware Online 30 Months
Duration
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Online Master of Public Administration, MPA | University of Delaware Online $1069
Cost per Credit
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Online Master of Public Administration, MPA | University of Delaware Online 36
Credit Hours
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Online Master of Public Administration, MPA | University of Delaware Online 100%
Asynchronous
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Online Master of Public Administration, MPA | University of Delaware Online 7-Week
Courses
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Online Master of Public Administration, MPA | University of Delaware Online No GRE
Required
Program Outcomes
UD’s MPA online program teaches you to contribute solutions to the public challenges of our times through research and public service projects that involve you in experiential learning.
You will:
- Lead and manage in public governance
- Participate in and contribute to the policy process
- Analyze, synthesize, think critically, solve problems and make decisions
- Articulate and apply a public service perspective
- Communicate and interact productively with a diverse and changing workforce and citizenry
Ranked #28
in the 2023 Best Public Affairs Programs by U.S. News & World Report
More information about the Online MPA
Online MPA Application Process
Our graduate application system is designed to put you in control of not only the application but all documents associated with it. We have designated areas within the application where each required document should be uploaded.
You’ll need:
- A completed online application
- A bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year university
- A current résumé
- Unofficial copies of your transcripts (we’ll need official versions once you’re admitted)
- Letters of recommendation
- A personal statement
- No GRE required
Health Systems Management
You can add a nine-credit specialization in Health Systems Management to your online MPA. You’ll gain the analytical and managerial tools to lead in public and not-for-profit healthcare organizations and related institutions.
General Specialization
You can add a nine-credit General Specialization to your online MPA. The General Specialization develops essential decision-making and analytical skills for public and nonprofit managers.
Career Expectations
After completing the online MPA program from UD, you’ll be equipped with the knowledge and leadership skills to help organizations through today’s most pressing challenges.
- Move into a leadership position
- Apply your skills immediately
- Network with successful alumni
- Access all of UD’s Career Services
Notable Alumni
Graduates in UD’s MPA alumni network have held impressive career titles such as Executive Vice President, Corporate Vice President, Director of Public Policy, CEO and Governor of the State of Delaware.
Known for Excellence
Our online MPA is ranked #28 in the 2023 Best Public Affairs Programs by U.S. News & World Report, including the Best Nonprofit Management, Public Finance/Budgeting and Public Management/Leadership programs.
Example Salaries
- Government Officials/Chief Executives - $113,270 per year
- Administrative Services Managers - $98,890 per year
- Social & Community Services Managers, Local Government - $87,720 per year
- Urban & Regional Planner - $75,950 per year
We’ve developed our top-ranked online MPA program to prepare you for numerous roles in local, state and federal government, organizations, nonprofits and more.
MPA graduates have the opportunity to impact individual organizations, communities, and a variety of policy areas from environment, to education, to social justice.
Our graduates have gone on to pursue impressive public administration careers such as:
CEO
Non-Profit CEO
Policy Analyst
Government Relations Specialist
Fundraising and Development Professional
Grant Coordinators
Communications Specialists
Development Professional
Corporate Vice President
Director of Public Policy
Executive Vice President
Federal consultant
Governor
Mayor
Medical and health services manager
Nonprofit manager
Project Manager
Public Administration Career Outlook
Jobs for social and community service managers are expected to grow 15% from 2020 to 2030, which is faster than average compared to other occupational groups.
Over 28,600 new jobs will become available for administrative services and facilities managers from 2020 to 2030.
Urban and city planners will continue to be needed as new and existing communities require extensive development and improved infrastructure, including housing, roads, sewer systems, parks and schools.
Learn to Address Complex Administrative Challenges
Accredited by the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA), the University of Delaware’s online MPA features an instructional approach that combines theory, research and application-based solutions.
In 36 credit hours of public administration courses, you’ll study topics including:
- Human Resources in Public & Nonprofit Sectors
- Leading Organizations in Public & Nonprofit Sectors
- Financial Management in Public & Nonprofit Sectors
CORE COURSES
UAPP 684 Performance Management & Program Evaluation - 3 Credits
Increases knowledge of tools, techniques, and definitions for performance management, and program evaluation. Introduces indicators used by government and nonprofits and their use for accountability and improved effectiveness; furthers competence in areas of strategic planning, benchmark indicators, performance measurement, and evaluation; and explores linkages and alignments of systems for improved efficiency and effectiveness.
UAPP 689 Innovation and Technology in Management - 3 Credits
Considers the role of technology in the planning and administration of public and nonprofit organizations. Topics include technology planning and budgeting, data processing and analysis, databases, change strategy, policy issues with current and emerging technology tools for planning and management.
UAPP 690 Seminar in Public Administration - 3 Credits
Introduction to the field through the scope and evolution of public administration; the institutional, structural and political contexts of policy making; the role of nonprofit organizations in public service; the relationships and values of the public and nonprofit sectors.
UAPP 691 Quantitative Analysis in Public & Nonprofit Sectors - 3 Credits
Study of basic research design and data analysis techniques stressing applications in the public and nonprofit sectors. Includes research design, data acquisition, measurement, descriptive statistics, data collection, probability, exploratory data analysis, hypothesis testing, simple and multiple regression, correlation, and graphical procedures.
UAPP 693 Economics in Public & Nonprofit Sectors - 3 Credits
Develops microeconomics concepts and applies them to public issues, policies, and programs. Applications deal with a wide variety of topics, including health care, education, transportation, housing, community development, energy, and the environment. Emphasizes how microeconomic analysis can enhance decision-making.
UAPP 694 Financial Management in Public & Nonprofit Sectors - 3 Credits
Introduction to practical tools and concepts of financial management for public and nonprofit organizations. Topics include budgeting, capital budgeting, cost analysis, financial planning, investment decisions, debt management, financial reporting, financial statement analysis, and financial condition analysis.
UAPP 696 Human Resources in Public & Nonprofit Sectors - 3 Credits
Addresses strategic human resource planning and management issues in public and nonprofit organizations by linking critical activities like job design, recruitment/selection and compensation while strengthening performance management and productivity through appraisal and professional development. Also addresses competencies to lead a diverse workforce, including volunteers. Explores the legal rights and responsibilities of employees in the public, nonprofit, and private sectors.
UAPP 697 Leading Organizations in Public & Nonprofit Sectors - 3 Credits
Addresses the knowledge and competencies necessary to lead organizations in a networked environment that included public, nonprofit, and for profit organizations in implementing public policy and public services. Explores the evolution of the study of organizations and leadership, as well as aligning the values and ethics of multiple organizations and sectors in the networks that now shape public governance.
UAPP 685 Capstone in Public Administration - 3 Credits
The Capstone course provides graduating students in the Master of Public Administration program with an opportunity to apply learned theory to actual practice. Collaborating with nonprofit and government organizations wherein the student works or has contacts, the student will provide research, data collection, and analysis services as part of their capstone project. The goal of the project is to demonstrate the application of public management theory and analytical skills in addressing a current issue or problem and to focus students in administration and management of public organizations.
GENERAL SPECIALIZATION
UAPP 619 Contemporary Issues in a Global Society - 3 Credits
Focus on the “cutting edge” issues of urban affairs, public policy and public administration. The course features presentations by leading policy makers, policy researchers, practitioners and scholars with whom students engage in lively discussion. The course demonstrates the roles that public administration, policy analysis and policy research play in a complex global society.
UAPP 650 Values and Ethics for Leadership and Management - 3 Credits
Looks at the “ends” served by leaders in various contexts (including government, nonprofits, business, and media) and the ethical standards by which the leaders’ actions are judged. Examines cases of unethical conduct as well as cases of exemplary conduct.
UAPP 701 Public Policy - 3 Credits
This course examines the political economy of public policy, including the intersection of policy with politics and markets, and the institutional and structural dimensions of the policymaking process. The course also explores the challenges of policy implementation, and modes of policy assessment and choice.
HEALTH SYSTEMS MANAGEMENT SPECIALIZATION
UAPP 657 Health Policy - 3 Credits
Provides students with a basic understanding of the U.S. health system and gives them practical experience in analyzing how healthcare reform and health policy more generally affect various sectors of the economy.
SPPA 620 Policy Approaches to Population Health Improvement - 3 Credits
Focuses on the social determinants of health and health disparities, and the policies and systems that underlie population level health outcomes. Emphasis will be on policy approaches in domains outside of the health care system, including those that aim to reduce social inequities in health.
SPPA 621 Health Systems, Policy & Economics - 3 Credits
Provides basic concepts in microeconomic theory and analysis applied to health policy and the care delivery system in the United States. Addresses supply and demand issues for health services, payment systems and health insurance, and key public and private actors in the health sector.
We’re Committed to Affordability
$1,028 Per Credit Hour
In addition to a variety of scholarships, you could fund your program by receiving a grant, qualifying for federal or private loans, utilizing military benefits or pursuing employer tuition reimbursement. Our dedicated admissions and financial personnel will help you through the process, including enrolling in a payment plan if applicable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Accreditations
Yes, UD’s M.P.A. is ranked in 2021 Best Public Affairs Programs by U.S. News & World Report, including their lists of Best Nonprofit Management, Public Finance/Budgeting, and Public Management/Leadership programs.
Admissions
Yes, this program accepts up to nine transfer credits with the approval of the program director.
Yes. You can view a recent virtual open house above, or you can visit the Biden School of Public Policy & Administration's websitefor an overview of the program’s goals.
No, this program does not require any exam scores for admission.
The first step toward applying for this program is to complete your online application through the graduate student Application Management System.
To apply for this program, you’ll need:
- A completed online application
- A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university
- A GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
- Personal statement
- 3 letters of recommendation
You may start this program in the fall, summer or spring semesters. Applications are accepted at any time up until a week before classes begin. Applicants are considered for admission on a rolling basis, which makes now the perfect time to apply.
Applications are accepted at any time up until a week before classes start, and you may begin in the fall, summer or spring semesters. Applicants are considered for admission on a rolling basis, which makes now the perfect time to apply.
Full-time program applicants interested in merit-based funding consideration should apply early as those awards are distributed on a rolling basis typically at or close to the time of admission.
Career Outlook
With your online M.P.A. from UD, you can advance in a variety of roles, including the following:
- Administrative services manager
- CEO
- Corporate Vice President
- Director of Public Policy
- Executive Vice President
- Federal consultant
- Government official
- Governor
- Mayor
- Medical and health services manager
- Nonprofit manager
- Social & community services manager
- Top executive
- Urban & regional planner
Curriculum
Canvas, which is currently used by over 2,000 schools throughout the United States.
Yes, the online M.P.A offers two specializations – general (or public management) specialization and health systems management specialization. Both specializations comprise nine credits or three classes.
The general specialization allows you to:
- Develop essential decision-making and analytical skills for public and nonprofit managers.
- Understand ethical standards by which the public leaders’ actions are judged.
- Learn about the roles that public administration, policy analysis and policy research play in society.
- Learn about the political economy of public policy, including the intersection of policy with politics and markets, and the institutional and structural dimensions of the policymaking process.
The health systems management specialization teaches you to:
- Understand the U.S. healthcare system
- Analyze how health policy and reform affect the U.S. economy
- Evaluate, design and implement e-services in the healthcare industry
- Use healthcare information technology and public health data to manage and improve population health
- Understand legal, regulatory and ethical concerns in population health management
No, this program does not follow a cohort model.
You’ll take 12 courses in this program. By adding an optional specialization in Health Systems Management to your degree, you’ll take a total of 15 courses.
This program includes a total of 36 credit hours. You can choose to add an optional nine-credit specialization in Health Systems Management to your degree, which will increase your total credit hours to 45.
This degree is offered in both an on-campus and an online format. You’ll need to choose your preferred format when you apply to the program.
Time and Duration
You can earn your degree in as few as 30 months full-time or complete the program part-time at your convenience.
You have up to six years to complete the degree program.
We’ve designed the program for ultimate flexibility, so you can complete the degree in either a part-time or full-time format.
Tuition and Fees
The total estimated tuition cost does not include the cost of living, textbook costs or other fees you may incur. For more information about program fees, you can contact an admissions counselor.
UD automatically considers admitted students for a range of scholarships with no separate application required. Other scholarships may be available through non-University resources.
This program costs $1,069 per credit hour. With 36 required credits, the online M.P.A. has a total tuition cost of $34,200, which does not include other fees you might incur such as textbooks and the cost of living. By adding an optional nine-credit specialization in Health Systems Management to your degree, your total cost will increase by $8,550 for a total of $42,750.
The online M.P.A. has a total tuition cost of $34,200, which does not include other fees you might incur such as textbooks and the cost of living. By adding an optional nine-credit specialization in Health Systems Management to your degree, your total cost will increase by $8,550 for a total of $42,750.
With a specialization in Health Systems Management, you can leverage your expertise to open doors in public health, hospital administration and health services management roles.
One such role, medical and health services manager, is expected to grow 32% through 2029 and had a median annual salary of $104,280 in 2020, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
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