Become a Public Service Leader With Our MPA Degree
The goal of public administration is to positively impact society by advancing the common good.
If you’re interested in making a difference in your community and beyond, our Master of Public Administration may be a great option for you.
West Chester University’s NASPAA-accredited Master of Public Administration will prepare you for leadership roles in government, nonprofit, public, and private organizations through cross-functional skills like budgeting, data analysis and evaluation, grant and policy writing, fundraising and social equity work. You’ll be prepared to take on any job in the nonprofit or public sector, by advancing mission-driven organizations and improving the well-being of communities.
WCU’s MPA program can be completed full-or part-time, 100% online. Most students attend part-time and complete their MPA degree in 24 to 36 months.
Regardless of how you choose to attend West Chester University’s MPA program, you’ll graduate exceptionally well-prepared for any job in public administration.
Tracks in WCU's Master's in Public Administration Program
General
Our general track provides a high-quality educational foundation in public administration, including courses in human resource management, organization theory, and budgeting and finance to set you on the path to success. Students can select graduate-level electives from across the curriculum based on their interests.
Nonprofit Administration
This track is specifically targeted for students interested in leading in nonprofit work. You’ll develop essential skills in strategic planning and management, grant writing, fundraising, and more.
Public Management
This track focuses on management at the local, state, and federal levels, and includes coursework in communications, law, policy, human resource management, and social equity.
Benefits of Earning Your MPA Degree at West Chester University
Research Opportunities and Personalized Attention
As an MPA student at WCU, you’ll be taught and mentored by accomplished scholars and practitioners who will train you to manage and lead across industries. You’ll learn how to serve professionally and ethically, and will have unequalled opportunities to engage in faculty research projects that address the public administration challenges of contemporary society.
At WCU you'll receive personalized attention and an individualized program experience with faculty who are deeply committed to supporting you throughout your journey. Even with our online format, you'll build connections with your classmates and peers, creating a nationwide professional network.
Flexible Coursework
WCU's MPA was designed with professionals in mind, with a fully online program to help you manage your studies and your schedule. Online coursework may be synchronous or asynchronous depending on the class, allowing you to login live or on your own time—providing both flexibility and accountability.
Concurrent Graduate Certificates
Our program offers several graduate certificates that can be earned concurrently with your MPA. These certificates are interdisciplinary and are easily embedded into your program through elective courses. Choose from Graduate Certificates in:
- Public Administration
- Public Management
- Food Policy
- Geographic Information Systems
- Nonprofit Administration
- Administration of Justice
- Sports Management and Athletics
Internships and Graduate Assistantships
You’ll apply your classroom knowledge in a real world setting through an internship where you'll gain hands-on experience. Your internship will be based on your location. Past placements include the City of Philadelphia, the Chester County Historical Society, SAP America, the Office of the Special Envoy for Middle East Peace, and the Environmental Protection Agency.
To make earning your MPA degree more affordable, competitive graduate assistantships and scholarships are available through the College of Business and Public Management. For professionals with sufficient experience, the MPA internship can be waived.
Accredited by NASPAA
West Chester University’s Master of Public Administration is fully accredited by the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA)—the gold standard in public service education. The MPA program is housed in our College of Business and Public Management, which is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).
What Can You Do With a Public Administration Master's?
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 9% growth for jobs in public administration through 2030.
If you are interested in shaping and protecting the future of your community, there are many rewarding jobs in public administration, including:
- Nonprofit executive director - Inspires change and promotes growth for the organization.
- Legislator - Analyzes proposed legislation and drafts specific bills for consideration into law.
- City manager - Oversees day-to-day functions such as budgeting and ordinance enforcement.
- Urban or regional planner - Assesses and reports the planning needs of local and state governments.
- Policy analyst - Utilizes research to collaborate in creating regulations, policies, and laws.
- Managing director of development - Manages the team responsible for organizational fundraising initiatives.
- Social/community service manager - Coordinates and supervises programs and organizations that support public well-being.
- Lobbyist - Works to influence legislation or regulations for a specific group or individual.
- Grant writer - Works with nonprofits to win governmental and organizational funding for research and projects.
- Election supervisor - Administers voter registration activities and safeguards voting equipment and procedures.
- Court administrator - Manages the operations that provide effective, timely, and innovative support to judges and other court staff.
Our alumni work in many roles in public, private, and government agencies like:
- Chester County Hospital
- Federal Reserve
- Human Achievement Project
- Philabundance
- Philadelphia Department of Behavioral Health
- Pennsylvania State Legislature
- United States Department of Defense
- United States Department of Education
- United States Secret Service
What Will You Study as a Master of Public Administration Student?
West Chester University's MPA program prepares you for leadership positions in the public, nonprofit, and private sectors.
Master of Public Administration (M.P.A.)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Public Administration Core | 21 | |
| To be completed by all M.P.A. students | ||
| PPA 500 | Foundations of Public Service | 3 |
| PPA 501 | Analysis and Decision Making I | 3 |
| PPA 502 | Analysis and Decision Making II | 3 |
| PPA 503 | Public Budgeting & Finance | 3 |
| PPA 504 | Public Human Resource Management | 3 |
| PPA 505 | Public Sector Organization Theory | 3 |
| PPA 506 | Foundations in Nonprofit Administration | 3 |
| Electives | 12 | |
| Selected under advisement of the M.P.A. director or faculty adviser. Students may transfer these electives in from other departments within the University or from any approved graduate certificate program. | ||
| Capstone Seminar | ||
| PPA 600 | Capstone Seminar in Public Administration | 3 |
| Internship or Professional Seminar | ||
| Required for students without sufficient, professional public sector work experience. Students are strongly encouraged to take the internship instead of the professional seminar. Students must seek approval from the program director to enroll in the professional seminar. | ||
| PPA 601 | Public Policy and Administration Internship | 3 |
| or PPA 602 | Professional Seminar in Public Administration | |
| Total Credits Required | 39 | |
Master of Public Administration (M.P.A.) - Nonprofit Administration Concentration
This concentration is designed for those who want to enhance their knowledge of nonprofit administration. It is appropriate for individuals pursuing careers in a wide range of nonprofit fields and is intended to provide a core set of skills and knowledge for people who desire to enhance their management and supervisory skills within the context of a nonprofit organization.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Public Administration Core | 21 | |
| PPA 500 | Foundations of Public Service | 3 |
| PPA 501 | Analysis and Decision Making I | 3 |
| PPA 502 | Analysis and Decision Making II | 3 |
| PPA 503 | Public Budgeting & Finance | 3 |
| PPA 504 | Public Human Resource Management | 3 |
| PPA 505 | Public Sector Organization Theory | 3 |
| PPA 506 | Foundations in Nonprofit Administration | 3 |
| Concentration Requirements | 9 | |
| PPA 532 | Grant Writing | 3 |
| PPA 533 | Nonprofit Fundraising Essentials | 3 |
| PPA 535 | Strategic Management for Nonprofit Organizations | 3 |
| Electives | 3 | |
| Selected under advisement of M.P.A. director or faculty advisor. | ||
| Capstone Seminar | 3 | |
| PPA 600 | Capstone Seminar in Public Administration | 3 |
| Internship or Professional Seminar | 3 | |
| Required for students without sufficient, professional public sector work experience. | ||
| PPA 601 | Public Policy and Administration Internship | 3-6 |
| or PPA 602 | Professional Seminar in Public Administration | |
| Total Minimum Credits Required | 39 | |
Master of Public Administration (M.P.A.) - Public Management Concentration
This concentration focuses on public-sector management at the local and regional levels. It is appropriate for managers and officials from local, county, and regional government bodies who desire to enhance their general management skills as well as gain insight into public policy issues of particular concern to these officials.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Public Administration Core | 21 | |
| PPA 500 | Foundations of Public Service | 3 |
| PPA 501 | Analysis and Decision Making I | 3 |
| PPA 502 | Analysis and Decision Making II | 3 |
| PPA 503 | Public Budgeting & Finance | 3 |
| PPA 504 | Public Human Resource Management | 3 |
| PPA 505 | Public Sector Organization Theory | 3 |
| PPA 506 | Foundations in Nonprofit Administration | 3 |
| Concentration Requirements | 12 | |
| Selected under advisement from MPA director or faculty advisor. Students must complete 12 credit hours from the following courses: | ||
PPA 510 | Topics in Public Administration | |
PPA 512 | Communications for Public Administrators | |
PPA 513 | Law for Public Administrators | |
PPA 514 | American Public Policy | |
PPA 515 | Social Equity and Public Administration | |
| Note: Students may transfer these electives in from other departments within the University or from any approved graduate certificate program. | ||
| Capstone Seminar | 3 | |
| PPA 600 | Capstone Seminar in Public Administration | 3 |
| Internship or Professional Seminar | 3 | |
| Required for students without sufficient, professional public sector work experience | ||
| PPA 601 | Public Policy and Administration Internship | 3 |
| or PPA 602 | Professional Seminar in Public Administration | |
| Total Credits Required | 39 | |
Get Started on YourMaster's in Public Administration
You can be instrumental in leading change, ensuring equity, and preserving resources for generations to come. Are you ready to take the first step by earning your public administration master’s from WCU?
Apply NowPrograms Related to WCU's Master of Public Administration Program
- Master of Business Administration
- Master of Science in Criminal Justice
- Master of Science in Geography
- Master of Science in Human Resource Management
West Chester University also offers each concentration of our public administration master’s program as stand-alone certificates:
In addition, you can pair graduate certificates in other disciplines with your master’s in public administration:
- Administration of Justice
- Food Policy
- Geographic Information Systems
- Healthcare Ethics
- Human Resource Management
- Industrial/Organization Psychology
- Sport Management and Athletics
Certificates increase your marketability and choice of jobs in public administration.
