Public Administration, Master of Public Administration

Available: Online

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The online Master of Public Administration (MPA) program at Sam Houston State University is a 36-credit graduate program. The core MPA curriculum, combined with the Disaster and Emergency Management concentration, deliver the knowledge public and non-profit professionals need to advance their careers and to make meaningful contributions to their communities.

The MPA curriculum enables students to develop competencies related to public management, ethics, budgeting, human resources, program evaluation, decision making, community resilience, and disaster politics. Students enrolled in the MPA program receive the attention and flexibility they need to meet their academic, professional, and personal responsibilities. Our Alumni serve in leadership positions as city and fire service managers, emergency management coordinators, law enforcement officers, directors of county agencies, and managers of nonprofit organizations throughout Texas and the United States.

We invite individuals with professional experience, as well as those interested in starting their public or non-profit careers, to join us. Applications for summer, fall, and spring semesters are accepted year-round. Applicants are not required to submit GRE scores.

Learn more about the Master of Public Administration degree program.

About Your Degree

We understand that your degree needs to work for you. Your degree isn’t just a piece of paper — it signifies your accomplishment and expertise to the world.

Your Degree Will Not Say “Online”
Neither will your transcript— even if you earn all of your course credit hours online. Your degree will be the same regardless of how you earn your credit hours.
All SHSU Degree Programs Are Fully Accredited
Sam Houston State University is accredited by The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

Program Breakdown

Brief breakdown of the type, or types, of degree available, their length, available enrollment, and estimated cost.
Category Degree Summary
Catalog Entry Master of Public Administration (MPA)
Length 36 Credit Hours
Enrollment Fall, Spring, Summer
Costs Rates Per Semester
Admission Requirements Application Materials

Application Deadlines

  • Fall: August 1
  • Spring: December 1
  • Summer: May 15

Please note that application deadlines will occasionally change. Please contact your academic advisor (listed in the contact section) for confirmation on application deadlines.

Contact Info