Colleges

Degree Programs

Are you a natural-born leader? Do you work in the public or non-profit sectors? The Master of Public Administration program online at South University can enable you to get the degree you seek to enhance your career potential. Our program provides a non-traditionally structured graduate education designed to meet your needs. Designed for working adults, our masters in public administration program online is for those seeking to get into or pursue advanced opportunities within the public or non profit sectors - a degree aligned to your career growth!

By attending the Master of Public Administration program online at South University you can benefit from the convenience and flexibility of online education while at the same time experiencing the quality of instruction you expect from an accomplished university including classes taught by doctoral level degree holding practitioners in the field. In addition, students have the opportunity to create their own focus of study. At South University, you are in control of your education.

Students of the public administration masters program can choose from five specializations:

• Public Administration
• Public Policy
• Non-Profit Management
• Criminal Justice
• Information Technology

As a graduate of South University's online Masters of Public Administration program you will be prepared to pursue management, administrative, research, and teaching positions. Program graduates may also choose to pursue admission to doctoral programs in public administration and other related fields as well as for pursuing growth opportunities within existing governmental and non-profit institutions, enhancing graduates' ability to manage such organizations and associations.

Employment Opportunity for Public Administration

"Wage and salary jobs in advocacy, grantmaking, and civic organizations are projected to increase 13 percent over the 2006-16 period, compared to 11 percent growth projected for all industries combined." "Social and demographic shifts will continue to increase the demand for services offered by advocacy, grantmaking, and civic organizations and spur job growth."

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Career Guide to Industries, 2008-09 Edition, Advocacy, Grantmaking, and Civic Organizations, on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/oco/cg/cgs054.htm.

"Wage and salary employment in State and local government is projected to increase 8 percent during the 2006-16 period." "Job growth will stem from the rising demand for services at the State and local levels particularly demand for public safety and health services. An increasing population and State and local government assumption of responsibility for some services previously provided by the Federal Government are fueling the growth of these services."

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Career Guide to Industries, 2008-09 Edition, State and Local Government, Except Education and Hospitals, on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/oco/cg/cgs042.htm.

Academic Requirements

The Master of Public Administration program is designed for prospective students who have:

• Completion of a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution.
• A cumulative grade point average of at least 2.70 (on a scale of 4.0) for the last 60 hours of coursework (including relevant graduate work).
• Exceptions to the Minimum GPA
  Applications with grade point averages lower than the stated program minimum may be considered for admission with significant evidence of academic and professional potential demonstrated by the career and/or personal accomplishments indicated in the personal statement of academic and professional goals, the career résumé, academic or professional letters of recommendation, and GRE Scores. Although GRE scores are optional, submission of scores may improve an applicant's application. Exceptions must be recommended by the department chair or program director. Students admitted on an exception basis will be admitted as regular students on a probationary status for the first quarter of enrollment. In order to remain enrolled after the first quarter, the student must achieve a GPA of at least 3.0.
• Students may transfer a total of 12 credit hours into the Master of Public Administration program. The specific courses for which transfer credit is available are MPA5001 Foundations of Public Administration, MPA5005 Public and Non-profit Organizational Behavior, and MBA6501 Strategic Human Resources Management. The evaluation of transfer of credit follows South University's applicable policies and procedures that pertain to accredited institutions.

Click here to view the minimum technology requirements.

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Set a course for your own career growth by enrolling in our online Master of Science in Leadership program. Click here to be contacted by an admissions representative.