2026-2027

Public Administration, Master of Public Administration

Department of Politics and International Affairs

College of Social and Behavioral Sciences

The Master of Public Administration (MPA) at Northern Arizona University prepares pre-service and mid-career professionals for leadership and management roles in public and not-for-profit sectors. As the preeminent public MPA program in Northern Arizona, we play a unique role in serving the people and public institutions of this region at the county, municipal, state, tribal and federal levels. The curriculum of the NAU Master of Public Administration builds a strong foundation in the theoretical and practical dimensions of public administration and educates students within a program of study that facilitates intellectual development, promotes applied learning, and integrates the theory and practice of public administration with the promotion of public service values.

The Master of Public Administration (MPA) program at Northern Arizona University partners with public sector organizations to support the development of current and emerging leaders in public service. As the leading public MPA program in Northern Arizona, NAU plays a distinct role in serving the region's people and public institutions, including county, municipal, state, tribal, and federal entities. The MPA curriculum builds a strong foundation in the theoretical and practical dimensions of public administration and educates students through a program of study that facilitates intellectual development, promotes applied learning, and integrates theory and practice with public service values.

Students in the MPA Online program take all courses online at their own pace to accommodate working professionals to move to graduate degree completion.

Students in the MPA Organizational Partnership - Online Executive Cohort are mid-level managers from a public or non-profit sector organization with ten or more years of experience. Students in this cohort complete a planned sequence of courses with possibilities to connect with other mid-level managers through coursework and with options for in-person engagement at the Flagstaff Mountain Campus.

This program is accredited by the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration.

  • To receive a master's degree at Northern Arizona University, you must complete a planned group of courses from one or more subject areas, consisting of at least 30 units of graduate-level courses. Many master's degree programs require more than 30 units.

    You must additionally complete:

    • All requirements for your specific academic plan(s). This may include a thesis.
    • All graduate work with a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0.
    • All work toward the master's degree must be completed within six consecutive years. The six years begins with the semester and year of admission to the program.

     

    Individual degree programs may exceed the baseline University Policy for a master's degree. The program-specific requirements are provided on the Details tab below.

    Read the full policy here.

In addition to University Requirements:

  • Complete individual plan requirements.

Minimum Units for Completion 36
Additional Admission Requirements

Individual program admission requirements over and above admission to NAU are required.
Additional Fees/Program Fees Required
Some online/blended coursework Required
Progression Plan Link View Program of Study
Accelerated Undergraduate/Graduate Plan Optional

Purpose Statement

The Master of Public Administration (MPA) at Northern Arizona University prepares pre-service and mid-career professionals for leadership and management roles in public and not-for-profit sectors. As the preeminent public MPA program in Northern Arizona, we play a unique role in serving the people and public institutions of this region at the county, municipal, state, tribal and federal levels. In addition to this regional focus, the program serves students from throughout the state, the nation and even internationally. The curriculum of the NAU Master of Public Administration builds a strong foundation in the theoretical and practical dimensions of public management and educates students within a program of study that facilitates intellectual development, promotes scholarship, and integrates the theory and practice of public administration with the promotion of public service values.

Student Learning Outcomes

  • Lead and manage in the public interest.
  • Participate in, and contribute to, the policy process.
  • Analyze, synthesize, think critically, solve problems, and make evidence-informed decisions in complex and dynamic environment.
  • Articulate, apply, and advance a public service perspective.
  • Communicate and interact productively and in culturally responsive ways with a diverse and changing workforce and society at large.

Graduate Admission Information

  • The NAU graduate online application is required for all programs. Admission to many graduate programs is on a competitive basis, and programs may have higher standards than those established by the Office of Graduate and Professional Studies.

    Admission requirements include the following:

    • Transcripts.
    • Undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited institution with a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale ("A" = 4.0), or the equivalent.


    Visit the NAU Graduate Admissions website for additional information about graduate school application deadlines, eligibility for study, and admissions policies.

    Ready to apply? Begin your application now.

    International applicants have additional admission requirements. Please see the International Graduate Admissions Policy.

Additional Admission Requirements

  • Individual program admission requirements over and above admission to NAU are required.

    • Completion of a bachelor's degree in a closely related discipline.
    • Cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or above or  6 units of subsequent coursework at the graduate level with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better.
    • Resume or Curriculum Vitae*
    • Essay/Letter of Intent/Personal Statement*
Transfer Pathway
    • In alignment with Northern Arizona University's commitment to workforce readiness and equitable access to high-quality education, this program accepts work/life experience, industry recognized credentials, certifications and/or exams as valid evidence of prior learning.
Master's Requirements

  • This Master's degree requires 36 units distributed as follows:

    • Public Administration Coursework: 21 units
    • Portfolio and Exit Interview: 3 units
    • Concentration or Electives Requirement: 12 units
      • Options vary based on the campus the student is enrolled in.


    Take the following 36 units:

    • Students must complete 24 units of formal letter-graded coursework.
  • MPA Portfolio and Exit Interview after you have completed the Public Administration coursework. (3 units)

  • Concentration or Electives Requirement (12 units)

    Students completing the program through the MPA Organizational Partnership - Online Executive Cohort must complete electives.

    Students completing the program through the Online campus may select from a concentration or an electives option.

    • Electives for students completing the program through the MPA Organizational Partnership - Online Executive Cohort (12 units)

      • POS 581
        • May be taken 4 times with different topics.
      • POS 608 (up to 9 units)
        • Students are awarded 1 unit of credit for each year of qualifying public-sector experience.
        • To be considered, students must submit a current resume for review and approval by the program director.
        • Address questions regarding eligibility or the review process to the program director.

    • Concentration or Electives options for students completing the program through the Online campus. (12 units)

      • Concentration Option (12 units)

        In consultation with your MPA Director, electives can include a student-designed concentration from a particular field or take several interdisciplinary courses that comprise a coherent area of study such as, election administration, data analytics, or tribal governance.

      • Electives (12 units)

        Select 12 units of electives which may include the POS courses listed below or other NAU courses chosen in consultation with your MPA Director*.

  • Students enrolled in this plan may not enroll in or pursue the following:

  •  

    If you have completed the <Plan Error> or the Public Administration Graduate Certificate prior to enrolling in this plan, the certificate coursework may be applied to this plan.

Accelerated Bachelor's to Master's Program

    • This program is available as an Accelerated Undergraduate/Graduate Plan wherein a student may start a master's degree while simultaneously completing their bachelor's degree.

    • Students must apply to the master's program by the graduate program's application deadline, meet all admissions requirements listed in the policy Accelerated Bachelor's to Master's Programs, as well as the admissions requirements for the specified master's plan to be considered for admission. Admission to programs is competitive and qualified applicants may be denied because of limits on the number of students admitted each year.

      Be sure to speak with the Master's Program Director/Coordinator regarding your interest in the accelerated plan.

    • Students accepted into the Accelerated Program should complete the following requirements:

    • This Master's degree requires 36 units distributed as follows:

      • Public Administration Coursework: 27 units
      • Portfolio and Exit Interview: 3 units
      • Selected Electives: 6 units

      Take the following 36 units:
    • MPA Portfolio and Exit Interview after you have completed the Public Administration coursework. (3 units)

    • Electives (6 units)

      Select 6 units of electives which may include the POS courses listed below or other NAU courses chosen in consultation with your MPA Director*.

    • Concentration Area

      *In consultation with your MPA Director, electives can include a student designed concentration from a particular field or take several interdisciplinary courses that comprise a coherent area of study.

  • Students enrolled in this plan may not enroll in or pursue the following:


  • If you have completed the <Plan Error> or the Public Administration Graduate Certificate prior to enrolling in this plan, the certificate coursework may be applied to this plan.

Additional Information

  • Some courses may have prerequisites. For prerequisite information, click on the course or see your advisor.

  • Program Fee Information

  • Program fees are established by the Arizona Board of Regents (ABOR). A program fee has been approved for this program. See program fee details. Program fees are subject to change and updated July 1 for the next academic year.