Massachusetts Public Administration Degrees

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There are four colleges in Massachusetts that offer a Master of Public Administration program and are accredited by the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA).

Three of those universities are located in Boston alone, with the biggest program at the University of Massachusetts and a fully online degree can be achieved at Northeastern University.

An MPA program is also offered through Bridgewater State University at Bridgewater.

Online MPA Programs in Massachusetts

There is only one current NASPAA-accredited university that offers a Master of Public Administration at least primarily online: Northeastern University. Both Suffolk University and Bridgewater State University does offer some coursework online, but the degree is primarily obtained on-campus. The University of Massachusetts now offers the ability to complete the first year of the MPA program online.

Northeastern University Online MPA

The College of Social Science and Humanities offers the online Master of Public Administration that requires no visits to the campus in Boston. Based on part-time or full-time enrollment, the curriculum can be completed within one to two years. There are graduate certificates in Nonprofit Sector and Urban Analytics that serve as areas of concentration in the program. Among the recent graduates from the program, 38 percent represent the public sector, 24 percent are in the nonprofit sector, and 21 percent in the private sector.

Core courses in the curriculum involve quantitative techniques, analysis, administration and management, and a capstone project at the conclusion. An internship is needed for those that do not have the required work experience, and there is an optional independent research project that goes along with that. Requirements to get into the program are an application with fee, a personal statement, unofficial transcripts, three letters of recommendation, resume, and standardized test scores like the GRE.

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University of Massachusetts-Boston MPA Online

The Gender, Leadership, and Public Policy track within the MPA program is now available online. This certification is equivalent to the first year and is worth 15 total credits, which will go toward the full program. Goals in this program are to analyze how well public programs and policies are affecting the community, study the different levels of power within management and leadership, and gain professional experience at a nonprofit or government organization.

Available Online Public Administration Programs for Massachusetts

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List of Massachusetts Public Administration Programs

University of Massachusetts-Boston Campus Based MPA

The McCormack Graduate School of Policy and Global Studies offers a Master of Public Administration for students that are looking for top-level positions in the government and nonprofit organizations. 36 total credits are divided up into three styles: eight traditional courses are worth three credits, six accelerated weekend courses are worth one credit, and the final six credits go toward the capstone project. There is a specialized track in Gender, Leadership, and Public Policy. Here are some example courses in the curriculum:

• E-Government: The Internet and Public Policy
• Analytic Skills for Policy Analysis
• Public Budgeting and Financial Management
• Information Management and Technology for Municipal Managers
• Strategic Management and Leadership

Suffolk University Campus Based MPA

The Sawyer Business School offers a Master of Public Administration, with advantages in connecting with other alumni from Suffolk and having the most innovative cases when looking at various management styles in different organizations. There are concentrations to customize the degree: Healthcare, Performance Management, State and Local Government, and Nonprofit Management – the latter two are also offered as a graduate certificate that can be completed in up to a year.

Fall and spring semesters are available for admission, and requirements are completing an online application with fee (or free if submitted on campus), resume, official transcripts, essay, letter of recommendation, and GMAT or GRE scores (can be waived). Of the 42 graduates out of 55 from the 2016-17 academic year that responded to an employment survey, 42.8 percent of those have positions in nonprofit and the state government. The fast majority of students already had a position before enrolling into the program.

Bridgewater State University Campus Based MPA

The Graduate MPA program is geared toward professionals that are in the workforce with the ability to complete the program within three to four years. 42 credits are needed to complete the curriculum with an additional three credits for those that do not have proper work experience. Example core courses in the program include Data Analysis and Presentation for Public Administration, Public Finance, and Administrative Law and Regulation. 12 additional credits are needed in electives, which includes professional development models in information management, technology, and policy.