Master of Public Administration MPA (Online)

Online Master of Public Administration (M.P.A.)

On the left, three government workers discuss a building project. On the right, three government workers sit on a municipal council.

The Carsey School’s Master's of Public Administration (MPA) online program will prepare you for strategic roles in a broad range of public and nonprofit institutions. Join your online cohort in the fall or spring and complete your degree in as little as 12 months. Widely recognized and sought after, the MPA will give you the edge you need in today's competitive public service sector.

Application Deadlines: December 15 (Spring term) & August 1 (Fall term)   |  Tuition Cost

Executive MPA

The Executive MPA welcomes midcareer professionals with at least 5 years of relevant experience seeking opportunities to hone their leadership skills and advance their careers without leaving their current situation. Those who meet this criteria can reduce their credit load by 6 credits, or 2 elective courses, earning their degree in just 12 months while saving money on tuition.

  • Modality: 100% Online
  • Number of Courses & Credit Hours:
    10 courses/30 credits
  • Program Length: 12 Months
  • No GRE Required

MPA

Study with public service professionals and professors who bring strong analysis and best practices to your learning. You’ll also grow your professional network of public service professionals throughout the program and after graduation. All courses are delivered 100% online during 8-week eterms with two cohort starts per year (fall and spring).

  • Modality: 100% Online
  • Number of Courses & Credit Hours:
    12 courses/36 credits
  • Program Length: 12-16 Months
  • No GRE Required
     

 

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Explore Program Details

Application 
» What is the difference between 30-Credit Executive MPA and the 36-Credit MPA?

Applicants with 5+ years of relevant professional experience in government, nonprofits, political science, or public administration should apply to the Executive MPA which reduces the standard (36-credit) MPA degree requirements by two elective courses (6 credits). Applicants without relevant work experience or students just completing their undergraduate degrees should apply to the standard 36-Credit MPA program.

» Can I get an MPA on a part-time basis? 

Our Online MPA program is designed so the full-time working professional can take classes on a part-time basis. Classes are conducted online and typically consist of an asynchronous curriculum combined with a small number of synchronous sessions over the term which, if offered, are held in the early evenings. Elective courses are also offered online in the same manner with the option to take alternative elective courses in person on the Durham or Manchester campuses. View Electives

» Can I take a "test drive" before applying?

Yes. If you are unsure whether the Online MPA program is a good fit, you are welcome to sit in on a class or take an MPA course prior to matriculating into the program. Contact the Team

Financial Aid

Federal Unsubsidized Direct Loans are a form of federal aid available to Graduate Students. To apply, you must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Additional Financial Aid Information

» Does this program offer any Scholarships? 

The Carsey School of Public Policy offers a limited number of needs-based partial tuition scholarships to students who have submitted their online application and been accepted into the program. In order to be considered for a Carsey School Scholarship, please complete and submit your Online Scholarship Application Form. Applicants will be notified if they qualify for an award within two to three weeks after submitting a completed application. We also encourage students who are awarded a scholarship to leverage their award by seeking additional funding opportunities from other sources. Submit a Scholarship Application

» What alternative funding opportunities are available? 

We strongly encourage you to look into other outside scholarship opportunities. Domestic students are eligible for both private and federal loans. More detailed information can be found on the UNH Grad School’s Financial Aid webpage or at Tuition Management System.

Other
» What is the MPA Capstone Project? 

The Capstone project is the culmination of the student’s graduate work, applying academic insight to practical experience. It is designed to provide students with an opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills developed in the program to real-world situations. Students are paired with an organization in their field of interest and work with community partners to complete a substantial project with the goal of adding value to both the student and the partner organization.​ View Past MPA Capstones

» What kind of professional positions could I pursue with an MPA?

Managerial positions in areas such as the government (federal, state, and local); non-profit and non-governmental organizations; research institutes; foundations; and professional and trade associations; etc. Meet Some MPA Alumni!

Education Awards

The Carsey School is proud to partner with public service organizations nationwide, enabling students to build upon their valued experiences by furthering their public service education and expanding their impact. These graduate school partners offer funding to employees, members, and alumni of their own credentialing programs. Education awards are also available for specific groups. Learn more


$5,000 Available to Employees & Board Members of Inclusiv & Inclusiv Members
Eligible employees and board members of Inclusiv and Inclusiv members can receive a $5,000 Education Award to pursue a master’s degree from Carsey. Apply towards the MPA, MPP, or MCD degrees.
$5,000 Available to Graduates of The Washington Center
University of New Hampshire students who have successfully completed The Washington Center (TWC) program are eligible to receive a $5,000 education award towards their degree at Carsey (applicable to the MPA, MPP or MCD). TWC graduates in the MPP program can waive the internship requirement.
$5,000 Available to Active First Responders
Active first responder personnel, including sworn police officers, firefighters, paramedics, and emergency medical technicians, qualify for this $5,000 education award towards their degree at Carsey. Apply towards the MPA, MPP, or MCD degrees.
$5,000 Available to Graduates of the CFSI Semester in the City
Students who have successfully completed the Semester in the City program through the College For Social Innovation are eligible to receive a $5,000 education award towards their degree at Carsey. Apply towards the MPA, MPP, or MCD degrees.
$7,000 available to City members and alumni
City Year corps members and alumni are eligible to receive up to $7,000 in tuition through Carsey's City Year Alumni University Partnership program. Apply towards the MPA, MPP, or MCD degrees.
Up to 50% tuition match for AmeriCorps Alum
AmeriCorps Alumni are eligible to receive one full-time Segal AmeriCorps Education Award match – which when combined with the Segal Award can amount up to 50% in tuition to the Carsey School. Apply towards the MPA, MPP, or MCD degrees.
$8,000 available for Returned Peace Corps Volunteers
Returned Peace Corps Volunteers (RPCVs) who enroll via the Coverdell Fellows program are eligible to receive an $8,000 education award. Apply towards the MPA, MPP, or MCD degrees.
Up to $5,000 Available to City of Concord Employees
City of Concord employees may be eligible for up to $5,000 in education awards in a matching scholarship available between the Carsey School and the City of Concord. Apply towards the MPA, MPP, or MCD degrees.

Dan Bromberg, Director of Academic Programs at the Carsey School, discusses taking elective courses for the Carsey School’s Master in Public Policy program.

Electives are available in many substantive areas. Topics and courses are added on a continuing basis. In addition, independent studies with leading experts can be arranged to match specialized student interests.

Students may propose additional electives if those electives make sense in terms of the student’s interests and academic plan. Discussion with an academic advisor should inform this choice.


Elective Courses are offered in many Substantive Areas, including:
  • Administrative Law
  • Art of Negotiation
  • Courts and Public Policy
  • Federalism and Intergovernmental Relations
  • Financial Management and Budgeting in Public and Non-Profit Sectors
  • Grant-writing for Public and Non-Profit Sectors
  • Human Resource Management in Public and Non-Profit Sectors
  • International Environmental Politics, Policy, and Law
  • International Organization
  • Leadership Theory and Practice­­
  • Legal and Policy-Making Environment on Public and Non-Profit Sectors
  • Non-Profit Management
  • Performance Management in Public and Non-Profit Organizations
  • Policy and Program Evaluation
  • Public Management Techniques
  • Public Opinion and Survey Research
  • Security Intelligence Study
  • State and Local Government
Departments throughout UNH offer Elective Courses, including:
  • Analytics
  • Business Administration
  • Education
  • Health Policy and Management
  • History
  • Human Development and Family Studies
  • Natural Resources
  • Political Science
  • Sociology
  • UNH School of Law

MPA Faculty

Meet Our Students

  • with MPA student Elizabeth Spaeth
    "Pursuing a graduate degree in public administration will help me in my shift from a clinical side and approach public service from a different perspective in a way I feel better suits my career current objectives and interests."       ~(MPA) Student Elizabeth Spaeth — Newton, NH
    with MPA student Elizabeth Spaeth
    "Pursuing a graduate degree in public administration will help me in my shift from a clinical side and approach public service from a different perspective in a way I feel better suits my career current objectives and interests."       ~(MPA) Student Elizabeth Spaeth — Newton, NH
  • with MPA student Cyndi Roll
    "My ability to identify goals for myself and achieve them will serve me well in my endeavor to utilize an MPA to make an impact in any organization I may work for."       ~(MPA) Student Cyndi Roll — Farmington, NH
    with MPA student Cyndi Roll
    "My ability to identify goals for myself and achieve them will serve me well in my endeavor to utilize an MPA to make an impact in any organization I may work for."       ~(MPA) Student Cyndi Roll — Farmington, NH
  • with MPA student Faithe Miller Lakowicz
    "I'm interested in supporting healthy communities through public service and nonprofit leadership."       ~(MPA) Student Faithe Miller Lakowicz — Concord, NH
    with MPA student Faithe Miller Lakowicz
    "I'm interested in supporting healthy communities through public service and nonprofit leadership."       ~(MPA) Student Faithe Miller Lakowicz — Concord, NH
  • with MPA student Kyle Hacker
    "I envision myself as being a lifelone public servant to the state of New Hampshire and an MPA degree will supplement my work ethic, knowledge, and technical skills so that I can lead the organization into the future while upholding the mission statement."       ~(MPA) Student Kyle Hacker — NH
    with MPA student Kyle Hacker
    "I envision myself as being a lifelone public servant to the state of New Hampshire and an MPA degree will supplement my work ethic, knowledge, and technical skills so that I can lead the organization into the future while upholding the mission statement."       ~(MPA) Student Kyle Hacker — NH
  • with MPA student Joe Devine
    "I want to take the skills and knowledge back to the community I work for to help it become successful."       ~(MPA) Student Joe Devine — Rochester, NH
    with MPA student Joe Devine
    "I want to take the skills and knowledge back to the community I work for to help it become successful."       ~(MPA) Student Joe Devine — Rochester, NH