Master of Public Administration (M.P.A)

Educating Public Servants, Strengthening Communities, Igniting Change

Overview

The Master of Public Administration (M.P.A) degree provides professional education for students interested in public service careers in public and nonprofit management. The program equips students with the knowledge, skills, values, and behaviors essential to the effective and ethical public servant. The M.P.A curriculum components are designed to develop leadership capacity and produce professionals capable of critical thinking and ethical decision making.

Become a Public Servant

The M.P.A program is designed for students who are passionate about serving their communities. The program emphasizes hands-on learning that is grounded in real-world experiences. We deliver high quality education through an innovative curriculum and dedicated teaching by professors who have practical experience in public and nonprofit organizations. In addition, since many of our students are full-time professionals, our students also have the opportunity to interact and network with other professionals in the field and be part of our vibrant alumni network.

Experience That Matters to You

Pre-service and in-career students can choose a course of study that best fits their interests and schedule:

  • Select between non-thesis and thesis options
  • Attend the program part-time or full-time
  • Complete the degree face-to-face, hybrid or fully online

What You Will Learn

Example core courses include:

  • Intergovernmental Relations
  • Organizational Behavior
  • Human Resource Management
  • Budgeting and Finance
  • Public Policy
  • Organizational Behavior
  • Advanced ethics in public administration

Accreditations

Related Programs

Not what you were looking for? Tarleton State University offers over 100 different degrees and certifications that may be of interest to you, including:

Who can I contact for more information?

If you are looking for more information feel free to either request more information below using the form or email [email protected]

Learn more about graduate studies at Tarleton! 








“The M.P.A Program at Tarleton State University has enabled me to pursue my goal of a master’s degree in Public Administration by their convenient online course options that are appealing to full-time, working professionals with strenuous schedules. The faculty at TSU also understands the challenges of their students in these positions and works hard to help the student balance these commitments in order to be successful. Obtaining an M.P.A degree with TSU will not only aid me in my current position within local government but will also broaden the knowledge base to further my career.”

Chief Kimberly Sylvester, Chief of Police-Richland Hills Police Department
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“Tarleton’s Public Administration program was flexible and convenient for me as a working professional. I learned to research and develop policies to implement positive change, and to add public value to the projects and programs I manage. The M.P.A helped enhance my leadership abilities, and have become a more effective manager. The professors leveraged their extensive field experience to provide relevant, hands-on lessons to better equip students for their next steps. The program allowed me to tailor my capstone research project to the defense industry. As a result, I deepened my understanding of the Department of Defense, its acquisition processes, and its public policies affecting the defense industrial base.”

Austin Williams, Associate Manager in Defense and Aerospace Industry

“I first learned of the M.P.A. program during my junior year at Tarleton. It was at a job fair where I learned about the benefits of obtaining an M.P.A., and how this degree can and will prepare me for my future career in the public sector. Through this program, I was able to obtain an internship that will prepare me for the challenges and learning experiences that are to come in the Public Administration field. I love the staff that is present in this program; they are supportive and want to see each of us succeed in our future endeavors.”

Shaiquiar Smith, Student
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Program Features

Plan Your Future

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