College of Arts and Humanities
Public Administration, MPA
Master’s Degree offered in Online format.
Prepare to lead organizations, influence public policy, and serve communities through Lindenwood University’s fully online Master of Public Administration (MPA). Designed for aspiring and current public sector professionals, this graduate program develops the leadership, budgeting, policy analysis, and management skills needed to address today’s most complex public challenges.
The 36-credit-hour MPA program is offered 100% online and can be completed in as few as 18 months. With affordable tuition, no textbook fees through open educational resources, and a curriculum taught by experienced scholar-practitioners, you’ll graduate prepared to lead confidently across government, nonprofit organizations, and the private sector.
Why Earn a Master of Public Administration?
Public administration professionals help shape policies, manage public resources, and improve the lives of individuals and communities. Whether your goal is to advance within government, lead in the nonprofit sector, or strengthen your ability to influence public policy, a MPA provides the practical knowledge and leadership skills needed to make a meaningful impact.
At Lindenwood, you’ll learn to navigate the intersection of government, business, and public service while developing expertise in organizational leadership, public finance, ethics, policy evaluation, and strategic decision-making.
Advance Your Career with a Flexible Online Program
Designed for working professionals, Lindenwood’s online MPA program allows you to earn your graduate degree while balancing work and personal commitments. All required coursework is offered online, and academic advisors work with students to develop a course plan that supports timely degree completion.
Additional program benefits include:
- 100% online coursework
- Complete your degree in as few as 18 months
- Affordable tuition
- No textbook fees through open educational resources
- Personalized advising and faculty support throughout the program
Build Leadership Skills Through an Applied Curriculum
The MPA curriculum combines core public administration principles with practical applications that prepare students for leadership across a variety of organizations.
Throughout the program, you’ll study topics including:
- Public Administration and Ethics
- Government Budgeting
- Public Finance and Taxation
- Policy Design and Analysis
- Program Implementation and Evaluation
- Government Accountability
- Economic Analysis for Policy Makers
- Business-Government Relations
- Data Collection and Evaluation
- Public Sector Leadership
Students also complete a capstone experience that allows them to apply their knowledge to real-world public administration challenges.
Learn From Faculty Who Lead in the Field
Lindenwood’s MPA faculty brings together academic expertise and professional experience across government, public policy, leadership, and administration. As both scholars and practitioners, they connect classroom learning with current public sector challenges while providing personalized mentorship throughout your graduate education.
Small class sizes encourage meaningful collaboration and allow faculty to support students as they pursue career advancement and leadership opportunities.
Career Opportunities with a Master of Public Administration
An MPA prepares graduates for leadership roles across local, state, and federal government, nonprofit organizations, consulting firms, and businesses that work closely with public agencies.
Graduates pursue careers such as:
- City Manager
- Public Administrator
- Policy Analyst
- Budget Analyst
- Government Relations Manager
- Community Development Director
- Nonprofit Executive Director
- Urban and Regional Planner
- Public Affairs Manager
- Compliance Manager
- Emergency Management Director
- Legislative Analyst
The leadership and management skills developed throughout the program also translate well to careers in corporate social responsibility, public affairs, consulting, healthcare administration, and business-government relations.
Advance Your Career with a Flexible Online Program
Designed for working professionals, Lindenwood’s online MPA program allows you to earn your graduate degree while balancing work and personal commitments. All required coursework is offered online, and academic advisors work with students to develop a course plan that supports timely degree completion.
Why Choose Lindenwood for Your MPA?
Lindenwood’s Master of Public Administration combines flexibility, affordability, and academic excellence to prepare professionals for leadership in today’s evolving public sector.
Program highlights include:
- 100% online program designed for working professionals
- Complete your degree in as few as 18 months
- Affordable tuition with no textbook fees
- Faculty who are experienced scholars and public sector practitioners
- Curriculum that integrates leadership, budgeting, policy analysis, ethics, and public management
- Personalized advising and faculty mentorship
- Nationally recognized online MPA program consistently ranked among the nation’s best since 2019
- Preparation for careers in government, nonprofit leadership, consulting, and public affairs
Student Success
Lindenwood graduates are making an impact across government agencies, nonprofit organizations, public health, law enforcement, urban planning, and community organizations. Graduates are using the leadership, analytical, and policy skills gained through the MPA to advance their careers and strengthen the communities they serve.
"If you have a desire to explore research and gain insight into managing within government or public policy, I would encourage you to pursue your MPA with Lindenwood."Julian Sanders
Quality & Affordability
Best Online Master’s Programs
in Public Administration
in 2023 and since 2019
Ranked #15
2020 Best Online Masters
in Public Administration
Ranked #20
Most Diverse MPA Program in 2018
Ranked #19
2019 Most Affordable
Colleges for MPA Degrees
2019 Best Online Master
in Public Administration
Frequently Asked Questions
A Master of Public Administration (MPA) prepares graduates for leadership positions across government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and organizations that work closely with the public sector. Graduates pursue careers such as policy analyst, city manager, budget analyst, nonprofit executive director, public affairs manager, community development director, and government relations specialist.
Yes. Lindenwood’s Master of Public Administration is offered 100% online, allowing students to complete coursework from anywhere while balancing professional and personal commitments.
The Master of Public Administration consists of 36 credit hours and can be completed in as few as 18 months by following the recommended course schedule.
Students develop leadership and management skills while studying topics such as public administration, government budgeting, public finance, policy analysis, program evaluation, ethics, organizational leadership, and public sector decision-making. The program concludes with a capstone experience that allows students to apply what they’ve learned to real-world public administration challenges.
No. Lindenwood’s Master of Public Administration program uses open educational resources, eliminating textbook costs while providing students with current, high-quality learning materials.
Lindenwood’s MPA combines flexible online learning, affordable tuition, no textbook fees, experienced faculty who are both scholars and practitioners, and a curriculum focused on practical leadership skills. The program has also been recognized among the nation’s top online Master of Public Administration programs since 2019.
Arts and Humanities Social Media
Shenika Harris, Ph.D.
Associate Dean, College of Arts and Humanities