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Master of Public Administration

Department of Government

College of Letters, Arts & Social Sciences

Master of Public Administration

Department of Government

College of Letters, Arts & Social Sciences

Online

Program

36 Credit Hours

to Graduate

Online Tuition Rate

$649 Per Credit Hour

Free Books

for All Students

Make a Difference and Help Transform the Status Quo

The public administration field offers a wealth of opportunity as well as professional mobility. EKU’s 100% online master of public administration degree (MPA) provides the leadership and managerial skills needed to translate your ideas into effective solutions for your community.

EKU’s public administration program allows you to leverage your interests and work experience by acquiring in-depth specialization in a range of focus areas. Graduates are prepared to assume a variety of leadership roles within nonprofit, public sector, and government institutions.

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Career Outlook

Salaries of urban/regional planners are projected to grow 4 percent from 2021 to 2031. And salaries for social services managers are expected to see a 12 percent growth rate for the same time period.

– U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Public administration programs prepare students to work in social service and government agencies.

Job Titles Include:

  • Urban/Regional Planner
  • Economic Development Specialist
  • Nonprofit Director
  • Social Services Manager

MPA programs provide essential skills for today’s work environment and allow you to bring your on-the-job experience into the classroom, helping you make your mark as a public servant.

Employers Include:

  • Kentucky River Foothills Development Council Inc.
  • City of Berea, Ky.
  • Batavia Township (Clermont County, Ohio)
  • Alliance for Academic Internal Medicine

The Office of Academic and Career Services is a one-stop shop for all your career and professional development needs.

Services Include:

  • Creating/updating your resume and cover letter
  • Interviewing tips and coaching
  • Career documents review
  • Job search

Why EKU?

  • Free textbooks through EKU BookSmart
  • No application fee
  • Reduced tuition for active-duty military members and their spouses
  • Accredited by the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA)
  • Earn a certificate in an area of specialization as you complete your degree
  • Accelerated 8-week terms
  • Personalized graduation plan
  • No campus visits required
  • Free online tutoring and career services assistance
  • Ranked by U.S. News & World Report among the best universities offering online degrees

Program Options

Providing a program that can be tailored to your career goals, EKU blends academic and professional preparation through course topics such as public sector leadership, public finance administration, human resources management, policy analysis and program evaluation, and administration, ethics and public policy.

Choose from one of four specialty areas to customize your degree:

  • Applied Policy
  • Community Development
  • Emergency Management and Disaster Resilience
  • Nonprofit Management

Note: Each concentration area is also available as a stand-alone certificate.

Master of Public Administration Program Mission

The mission of the Master of Public Administration Program at Eastern Kentucky University is to maintain and build upon our tradition of national distinction as an exemplary MPA Program by:

  • providing a high-quality education for a diverse body of public and nonprofit practitioners and pre-service students in the theories that inform the field of public administration
  • providing the tools and techniques of public service and administrative practice that enhance performance in the public interest through professional expertise, technical skills and ethical behavior; and
  • supporting the practice of public administration and its ability to serve the public interest, with emphasis on the local, state and regional level

Attend Online

Choosing an online program doesn’t mean completing your education alone. EKU Online strives to provide students with unparalleled staff and faculty access, rich engagement opportunities and every resource possible to succeed. We are committed to helping you find success in your coursework, as well as identifying and pursuing employment opportunities upon graduation. We are here to help you every step of the way.

Online students have access to:

  • Accelerated 8-week terms
  • Courses begin 6 times per year
  • No campus visits required
  • Personal advisors stay with you from application to graduation
  • Free online tutoring and career services assistance 

Curriculum & Enrollment

EKU’s online public administration curriculum prepares students for a variety of rewarding career options that will allow you to improve your community and make your mark as a public servant.

Master of public administration courses are designed to provide skill sets that can be immediately applied to your job and are taught by instructors with real-world experience. Courses include public sector leadership, administration, ethics and public policy, public finance administration, human resources management, and policy analysis and program evaluation.

A minimum of 36 credits are required to graduate.

View the degree requirements:

EKU Academic Catalog

Please review the admissions requirements before applying for this or any program. If you have questions about the program or are planning to register for classes, please speak to the program advisor.

Students may transfer up to 12 hours of credit from accredited institutions. Please note that a minimum of 15 credit hours in this degree program must be completed at Eastern Kentucky University.

Previously earned credits must be reviewed upon admission to EKU for appropriate articulation.

TermApplication
Deadline		Classes
Begin
Fall AAugust 1August
Fall BOctober 5October
Spring ADecember 5January
Spring BMarch 5March
Summer AMay 1May
Summer BJune 5June

Applicants who meet the criteria listed below may qualify for “Clear Admission” to the MPA program.

Applicants must:

  • submit a complete application
  • meet the general requirements of both the Graduate School and MPA program
  • have verbal scores of 145 or above, and quantitative scores of 145 or above on the Graduate Record Exam (GRE). Note: Applicants with a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 2.75 (on a 4.0 scale) are exempt from the GRE requirement
  • provide two (2) letters of recommendation from persons familiar with the applicant’s academic or employment experience
  • submit a statement of career goals and objectives

Students who fail to meet the targeted GPA or GRE scores specified above may be granted a probationary admission. The minimum condition for transfer from probationary admission status to clear admission status is the successful completion of at least nine hours of graduate course work with a grade point average of at least 3.0 and with no more than one grade, regardless of the number of course credit hours, of “C” or lower. Students must be removed from probationary admission prior to registering in any course work beyond an initial 12 hours. At least six hours of the first 12 hours must be in the common MPA core.

Graduate Assistantships

Eastern Kentucky provides a limited number of graduate assistantships to qualified students. Duties may include teaching, laboratory supervision, research or service related to a student’s program of study. Assistantship appointments are at the discretion of the hiring departments and subject to approval by the Graduate School. You should contact the hiring departments for availability and details on the positions. Students receiving a graduate assistantship will be notified by the Graduate School.

Robert L. Kline Memorial Scholarship

The Robert L. Kline Memorial Scholarship fund was established as a memorial to the late Robert L. Kline (1942-1993) through a generous donation by Mrs. Robert L. Kline and family. Dr. Kline joined the faculty of the Department of Government in 1969 and served as Chair of the department from 1986 until his death. The Scholarship provides continued recognition of Dr. Kline’s service to the Commonwealth, the University and the Department of Government.

The Robert L. Kline Memorial Scholarship award is at least $500.00 per semester, for two semesters. All amounts awarded will be applied directly toward the payment of the award recipient’s tuition or other approved academic expenses at EKU. Renewal is subject to the annual application process. The recipient will be announced on or about March 15 and the money will be available for the following Fall and Spring semesters.

Qualifications:

  • Applicants for and recipients of the Robert L. Kline Memorial Scholarship must be enrolled at EKU
  • The recipient must be, and must continue to be enrolled as a part-time or full-time student in one of the degree programs offered by the Department of Government (Political Science, Paralegal, Public Administration) throughout the term of the award
  • The recipient must be at least a second semester student to apply. Graduate students are eligible if they have taken no more than 21 hours
  • The applicant must demonstrate good character, social responsibility and commitment to service to others and promise of high academic achievement

Janet Patton Award

The award honors Dr. Patton’s contributions and commitment to the MPA program. This award is given each spring to a recent graduate or graduating student in the MPA program in recognition of outstanding scholarship in public administration, contributions to the MPA program, and high potential for excellence in public service. The award consists of a modest stipend and a certificate of achievement.

PI SIGMA ALPHA

This award honors a Political Science student who has demonstrated high academic achievement and who has contributed to the department through involvement in departmental activities. The award consists of a modest stipend and a certificate of achievement.

Note: Awards are determined by the Awards Committee. No application is necessary.

EKU has received national reaccreditation by the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA). NASPAA is the only accrediting body for US programs in public administration, public policy, and public affairs, and has recently moved into international accreditation.

Accreditation demonstrates our commitment to the highest quality education in public administration. It also means that we consistently identify and track the knowledge, skills, and abilities we expect our students to achieve.

The EKU MPA Program makes a report to NASPAA every year which provides information about the program, the success of students -including job placements and graduation rates as we report them to NASPAA.

Program Outcomes

Enrolling & Advising Information

EKU’s College of Letters, Arts, and Social Sciences is committed to delivering high-quality enrollment and academic advising for our students. We strive to create an atmosphere of mutual trust and meaningful engagement to help students reach their academic goals and have a rewarding educational experience.

Interested in enrolling? Reach out to the enrollment counselor for your preferred program.

professional photo of shaker ezaizat

Shaker Ezaizat

Enrollment Advisor

859-622-2316
shaker.ezaizat@eku.edu

Schedule an Appointment

Amanda Stoddard

Online Enrollment Advisor

859-622-5826
amanda.stoddard@eku.edu

Schedule an Appointment
CLASS Advising Information for Current Students

Additional Contact Info

Admissions: 859-622-2106
Academic Testing: 859-622-1281
Big E Central (Financial Aid & Student Account Services): 859-622-2361
Military & Veterans Affairs Office: 859-622-2345

Advisor & Counselor Information

EKU’s College of Letters, Arts, and Social Sciences Advising Office is committed to delivering high-quality academic advising for our students. We strive to create an atmosphere of mutual trust and meaningful engagement between students and faculty to help students reach their academic goals and have a rewarding educational experience.

CLASS Advising Information

Call or email Amanda Stoddard for information about the Public Administration Master’s Degree program.

Additional Contact Info

Admissions: 859-622-2106
Academic Testing: 859-622-1281
Big E Central (Financial Aid & Student Account Services): 859-622-2361
Military & Veterans Affairs Office: 859-622-2345

Student Stories & Features

College of Letters, Arts & Social Sciences | Department of Government

Aaron Boycan

EKU Public Administration Graduate
Earning my Master of Public Administration degree has helped me become a more well rounded police officer. The content areas of the degree helped me become more well versed in areas such as leadership, human resources, public budgeting, and comprehending statistical analysis. Knowledge in these areas have helped me become a better police officer at an administrative level.
College of Letters, Arts & Social Sciences | Department of Government

Jeff Uckotter

EKU Public Administration Student
The faculty is awesome. Like any post-graduate program, the faculty demands a thorough work product. They were always there to answer questions and aid in your academic formation. The faculty has great communication skills.

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Contact Information

Department of Government

521 Lancaster Ave
Commonwealth Hall Room 1510
Richmond, KY 40475

859-622-5931
Fax: 859-622-8019

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