Master of Public Administration Online
Develop the skillset you need to organize government operations with a master’s program that prioritizes experiential learning.
Program Overview
Prepare to shape public policy with a Master of Public Administration
Build a strong foundation in public policy, governance and resource management with the Master of Public Administration online degree program from the University of Louisiana Monroe. This affordable program prepares you for leadership in the public sector through community-focused projects and advanced coursework exploring grant writing, budgeting, program evaluation and data-driven research.
Gain broad-based knowledge with this generalist degree and customize your education with electives focused on a specific industry area such as environmental, health, justice, management, nonprofit, or education. You can begin this program as an in-service applicant and graduate after completing 36 credit hours, or start as a pre-service candidate and add a 3-credit internship for a total of 39 credit hours to finish.
Career opportunities with an MPA:
- Congressional Office
- Federal Government Office
- State Government
- Education Administration and Reform
- Nonprofit Management
- Economic Development
- Higher Education Administration
- Grantwriting Professional
- Parks and Recreation Professional
- Policy Analyst
- Congressional Office
- Federal Government Office
- State Government
- Education Administration and Reform
- Nonprofit Management
- Economic Development
- Higher Education Administration
- Grantwriting Professional
- Parks and Recreation Professional
- Policy Analyst
As a graduate of this Master of Public Administration program online, you will be able to:
- Understand the public policy process and identify key stages where meaningful engagement can be achieved
- Understand the governance structures within both nonprofit and government organizations, enhancing the ability to navigate and influence these entities effectively
- Internalize the core ethics of public service, fostering a commitment to integrity, accountability, and ethical decision-making in professional roles
- Understand the public policy process and identify key stages where meaningful engagement can be achieved
- Understand the governance structures within both nonprofit and government organizations, enhancing the ability to navigate and influence these entities effectively
- Internalize the core ethics of public service, fostering a commitment to integrity, accountability, and ethical decision-making in professional roles
Additional business and social sciences programs available:
ULM offers a diverse set of online programs. Take a look at our other online business and social sciences programs.
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Tuition and Fees
Plan to fit the affordable public administration master’s degree online tuition into your budget
The Master of Public Administration online program offers affordable, pay-by-the-course tuition. Financial aid may also be available for students who qualify.
Tuition breakdown:
| Program | Per Credit Hour | Per 3-Credit Hour Course | Per Program |
|---|---|---|---|
| Master of Public Administration | $500 | $1,500 | $18,000 |
Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid at fafsa.ed.gov, using the Federal School Code for ULM: 002020.
If you have questions regarding financial aid, please contact the Financial Aid Office at 318-342-5320.
Tuition breakdown:
Calendar
Don’t miss the next Master of Public Administration deadline
The Master of Public Administration online program features convenient eight-week courses with five start dates each year. Here you can find application date deadlines, due dates for required documents, and tuition deadlines for your desired start date.
Now enrolling:
| Session | Program Start Date | Application Deadline | Document Deadline | Registration Deadline | Payment Deadline | Last Class Day | Term Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 1 | 8/18/25 | 8/4/25 | 8/4/25 | 8/8/25 | 8/8/25 | 10/13/25 | 8 weeks |
| Fall 2 | 10/13/25 | 9/29/25 | 9/29/25 | 10/17/25 | 10/17/25 | 12/11/25 | 8 weeks |
Now enrolling:
Have questions or need more information about our online programs?
Ready to take the rewarding path toward earning your degree online?
Admissions
How you can get started on your MPA
The admission process is the first step toward earning your online degree. Find out the requirements for the Master of Public Administration online, what additional materials you should send and where you need to send them. The requirements include:
- Online Application
- Bachelor's Degree
- Minimum 2.5 GPA
- No GMAT/GRE Required
Regular Admission
Applicants must have earned a baccalaureate degree with a minimum overall GPA of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale or a 2.75 GPA on the last 60 hours of attempted coursework to be regularly admitted.
Applicants who have earned any graduate or terminal degree from a from a college or university accredited and recognized at the institutional level by the U.S. Department of Education (USDOE) will qualify for regular admission to a master’s program provided they meet all other eligibility requirements.
Conditional Admission
Applicants must have earned a baccalaureate degree with a minimum overall GPA of 2.50 on a 4.0 scale or a 2.50 on the last 60 hours of attempted coursework to be conditionally admitted
OR
Meet a minimum formula score of 622.6 (2.2 GPA x 283 GRE)
OR
With a GPA of 2.2 or higher, some candidates with five years of employment in a relevant field of study may qualify for a waiver of test scores in some programs.
For applicants who are admitted conditionally because they do not meet GPA and/or GRE requirements, this status will be removed after a minimum of 12 semester hours of graduate coursework is completed at the University of Louisiana Monroe with a 3.0 GPA, and with no grades of C or below. If these requirements are not met, the student will be denied continuance in Graduate School.
In-Service and Pre-Service Requirements
Upon admission, all students will be designated as in-service or pre-service. In designating in-service or pre-service status, the program will consider the duration, roles, and responsibilities of previous work experience in local, county, regional, state, or federal administrative agencies; the office of elected officials; nonprofit or not-for-profit organizations; or health sector-related organizations. Students lacking at least two years of administrative or policy-related experience will be designated a pre-service student.
Pre-service students will be required to enroll in an internship, POLS 5093: Public Administration Internship, bringing the total hours required for their degree to 39.
Requests from pre-service students to have the internship requirement waived will be considered on a case-by-case basis by the coordinator of the MPA program in conjunction with the Committee on Admissions for Political Science.
If you need to submit official documents by mail, send them to:
Graduate Admissions
University of Louisiana Monroe
Sandel Hall 243
700 University Avenue
Monroe, LA 71209-0600
Transcripts and official documents can be electronically submitted to gradschooldocs@ulm.edu.
Have a question? Call us at 800-917-3236.
Courses
View this listing of Master of Public Administration courses
To earn the Master of Public Administration online, in-service students must complete the following core courses (18 credit hours) and choose six electives (18 credit hours) for a total of 36 credit hours. Pre-service online students must also complete POLS 5093 for a total of 39 credit hours.
Students must complete 18 credit hours selected from the list below. Pre-service students must complete POLS 5093 in addition to the 18 credit hours.
Request More Information
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Discover what a ULM online degree can do for your future.
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