Master of Public Administration (MPA)

As a student in this program, you will gain a solid foundation of core competencies focused on strategic planning and management, preparing you to lead at all levels of government and in the nonprofit sector.

• The structures and dynamics of public service organizations
• Leadership ethics and value-based decision-making techniques
• Budgeting, accounting and the financial management of public and nonprofit organizations
• Human capital management strategies and best practices in nonprofit and public sector organizations
• Statistical tools for analyzing data and conducting research
• Effective management practices for government and nonprofit leaders
• The role of strategic planning and management

Ideal candidates include individuals with at least three years of experience in the public, nonprofit, military or private sectors who want to develop the comprehensive knowledge and skills required to excel within a public service role.

The program is designed for professionals who currently lead or aspire to manage public, private or nonprofit organizations, and helps prepare them for careers in the management and leadership of local, state, federal government and non-governmental organizations. The curriculum provides you with the knowledge to manage both resources and employees. Applicants must meet minimum admissions requirements.

Students enrolled in the MPA degree program have the option to simultaneously pursue a graduate certificate as a specialization within their degree, or as a standalone credential.*

• Public Administration
• Nonprofit Management
• City Management

*Each course may only be counted toward two credentials. Students can use courses completed to fulfill requirements of one degree and one certificate program or two certificate programs. In accordance with Villanova Policy, no course may be triple counted toward a third credential in any program.

Our MPA degree program is accredited by the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA). NASPAA is an industry-respected network that strives to ensure a rigorous standard of public affairs education for degree programs such as the Master of Public Administration (MPA).

Active-duty servicemembers, veterans, guardsmen, reservists, spouses and dependents are eligible to receive 10% savings per course on degree programs (upon verification of military status). Contact an enrollment services representative at 855-300-1473 for additional information.

This reduction is valid off the standard tuition fee rate of the listed courses offered by Villanova University with online administration by Bisk. This reduction is not stackable with other reductions, and you may not use this reduction in conjunction with other reductions.