Master of Public Administration
Among the best in the country.
- Our M.P.A. program led the College of Public Affairs to be ranked 73rd nationally in U.S. News & World Report's 2013 edition of "Best Grad Schools."
- Our entirely online webMPA program has been ranked 9th in the 20 Best Online Master of Public Administration Degree Programs, according to TheBestSchools.org.
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Learn to lead effectively.
You can also complete this program:
- entirely online through our fully accredited, nationally recognized webMPA program.
- in convenient weekend and online formats at the Universities at Shady Grove in Rockville, Md.
- as a dual J.D./M.P.A. , allowing you to earn both degrees with 18-21 fewer credits than would be required to earn the two degrees independently.
Public administrators in government and nonprofit organizations must keep reinventing themselves to meet the new challenges of a changing society; our two-year, 42-credit Master of Public Administration program trains you to do just that.
This program was the first in the state to be fully accredited by the National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration (NASPAA). See the NASPAA Member Code of Good Practice.
You will reflect critically on the role of public administration in a democratic society, the role you can play in applying our constitution and what your civic responsibilities are, as a public servant. You can choose from among four specializations:
- public policy and administration
- health-care policy and administration
- budgeting and fiscal administration
- public and nonprofit management.
You will also enhance your skills in research methods and quantitative techniques.
If you have not worked in the public sector, you can gain valuable experience through an internship or through a limited number of fully funded fellowships at UB's Schaefer Center for Public Policy, the research and consulting arm of the College of Public Affairs. Your work might involve program evaluation and analysis, opinion research, strategic planning, performance measurement or management training.
You are strongly encouraged to participate in American Society for Public Administration activities and in are invited to apply for membership in UB's chapter of Pi Alpha Alpha, an honorary public administration society for those who have achieved academic excellence.
Classes are offered evenings and online, and some courses are offered in the summer for continuing students.