The Master of Public Administration program is part of the BGSU Graduate College and BGSU College of Arts & Sciences

public administration students
  • Masters Available
  • Masters Available

Master of Public Administration

Public Administration

professional pathways stampThe Master of Public Administration (MPA) is the professional degree for individuals preparing for leadership roles in public service such as working in a non-profit, for government or higher education.

The program, which is NASPAA accredited and nationally ranked, emphasizes applied coursework and includes ample opportunities for students to engage in projects that serve community clients, providing relevant, real-world experience.

Advance your career

The program is designed to help students develop the skills and techniques required to create and implement policies, projects and programs that resolve important societal problems, while addressing organizational, human resource and budgetary challenges.

Faculty in the program are committed to giving students the experiences they need to get a job in a career they find meaningful and rewarding. Recent graduates of the program have been hired as program directors, grant writers, legislative aides, state auditors, policy analysts, human resource directors, city/county administrators, event and social media coordinators, fulfillment analysts and communication directors, just to name a few.

The MPA Student Association promotes professional development and social events, helping to foster community among students and faculty

Download the MPA Guide

Explore the real value of an MPA degree, options for careers in public service, and the unique benefits of getting your MPA at BGSU.

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$48,482



BGSU Public Administration graduates average starting salary

77%

of graduates report they're employed, in graduate school or starting a business within six months of graduation

Curriculum

To obtain a Master's of Public Administration degree, students are required to complete 36 credit hours of coursework at the graduate level. Please refer to the Office of the Bursar for current information on tuition and fees.

Students can earn a master’s degree in as few as 1.5 - 2 YEARS

Application Requirements

The program strongly recommends that applicants have a minimum of a 3.0/4.0 undergraduate grade point average (GPA). Applicants are required to submit scanned copies of official or unofficial transcripts from all institutions attended. Upon admission, final official or notarized copies of transcripts from all institutions where degrees were earned and diplomas from international institutions must be submitted. Applicants are also required to submit official scores from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT).

All applicants must submit a statement outlining their interests in the degree and public administration. A minimum of two (2) letters of recommendation from individuals with knowledge of the applicant’s qualifications and ability to successfully complete graduate study are also required.  

International applicants are also required to submit scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).

Stand Out

  • Small Class Sizes
  • Real-world Experience
  • Flexible Course Requirements
  • Part-time and Full-time Options
  • Evening Options

COURSE Requirements

  • Public Administration Theory and Behavior
  • Public Management I: Personnel Management and Leadership
  • Public Management II: Budgeting, Fiscal Policy, and Decision-making
  • Public Administration and Public Policy
  • Research Methods
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BGSU Graduate College

The Master of Public Administration program is part of the BGSU Graduate College and BGSU College of Arts & Sciences



* Job placement and salary information was compiled by the Office of Academic Assessment through the Graduation Survey from AY2015-2018. The data are gathered around the time of Commencement and a follow-up survey six months post Commencement. For the salary question, data for programs with fewer than fifteen responses are not included. Salaries for those programs are from the National Association of Colleges and Employers Summer 2019 Survey. For questions regarding the data, contact assessment@bgsu.edu.

Updated: 09/23/2021 11:31AM