Public Administration Master's (Mpa)

The Southern Utah University Master of Public Administration (MPA) is an online graduate degree that prepares students to lead in public service. Students learn to lead teams, create policy, manage budgets, and use data to solve problems facing their community. The program offers four emphasis tracks: State and Local Government, Higher Education Administration, Criminal Justice, and Nonprofit Management.

Admissions for the MPA include an online graduate application, official transcripts, and a statement of intent explaining how the MPA supports career goals and skills such as decision making, written communications, oral presentations and communications, leadership, management of people, and technical analysis. Start dates are Fall, Spring, or Summer semester, with applications due 2 weeks prior to the start of the semester.

• Minimum GPA: 3.0+.
• Bachelor’s from an Accredited University.
• Application fee: $0.
• Statement of Intent: Explain how the MPA from SUU will support career goals and how the degree will help develop skills including decision making, written communications, oral presentations and communications, leadership, management of people, technical analysis.
• Applicants with an undergraduate GPA below 3.0 will be asked to write a statement to the admission review committee explaining what caused academic preparation to be insufficient; what they have been doing in their time away from school; what support network they have to ensure success; and their study and academic plans for success.
• Applicants may be interviewed by the Program Director.
• Prerequisites: POLS 1100 (American National Government): Required for most international students; may be taken concurrently in the first semester. Case-by-case: Additional prerequisites may be assigned based on academic background.
• Students may transfer up to 12 hours of course credits from other MPA programs, with course syllabi included for credit review toward the 36-hour MPA degree.
• Current SUU undergraduate students may apply to the Grad Path Program and may earn up to 6 hours of graduate level credits at undergraduate tuition rates.

TOEFL: Minimum 79 (Internet), 213 (Computer), or 550 (Paper). TOEFL must be taken within 2 years.

• City or County Manager
• Policy Analyst
• Budget Analyst
• Urban Planner
• Government Affairs Specialist
• Director of Student Services
• University Registrar
• Admissions Director
• Financial Aid Administrator
• Postsecondary Program Manager
• FBI or DEA Special Agent
• Police Chief/Supervisor
• Warden or Senior Corrections Officer
• Homeland Security Coordinator
• Fraud Investigator
• Nonprofit Executive Director
• Development Director
• Grant Manager
• Program Director
• Community Outreach Coordinator