Online Master in
Public Administration
Online, on your time
A Degree for Effective Public Leaders
Fast-track your career in public administration and policy with an online 36-credit hour degree program that fits your schedule with part-time, full-time, and accelerated options. Courses include foundational work in local government administration, research and applied statistics, human resource management, organizational theory, as well as ethics and legal issues. You can also gain practical experience in the public sector through a supervised field experience in a governmental or non-profit agency.
Application Deadlines
Fall
Priority: May 1
Final: July 15
Spring
Priority: October 1
Final: November 15
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the admission requirements?
General Requirements for Admission:
Admission into the program will be based on several factors to ensure a talented and diverse student body, including:
- Completed online application to the School of Graduate Studies; application fee, $50
- Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited post-secondary institution with a minimum overall GPA of 2.5 or higher, verified by official transcript(s)
- Statement of purpose of around 250-500 words describing how your current experience or education prepare you for the Master of Public Administration degree, and how this degree will contribute to your future goals or career development
- Two letters of professional or academic reference
- Curriculum Vita/Resume
What are the requirements to complete the degree program?
The MPA Program consists of 36 credit hours. The following 3-credit courses comprise the core curriculum:
POLS 5010 – Public Administration
POLS 5050 – Research Methods and Applied Statistics
POLS 6060 – Public Administration Human Resource Management
POLS 6230 – Local Government Administration and Finance
POLS 6250 – Organizational Theory and Management
POLS 6060 – Ethics in Public Administration
Students will also take fifteen credit hours (5 courses) of program electives. The final three credit hours are earned by completing either an internship or a capstone course.
More detail on program requirements and courses offered is available in the Academic Catalog.
How long will it take to complete the program?
Our MPA program offers the flexibility to complete your degree on a timeline that fits your schedule. Students may start the program in the Fall or Spring semesters. Courses are also offered during the summer. The minimum time to a degree is based on the following options with summer enrollment and satisfactory academic progress:
- Accelerated: 3 semesters (12 months)
- Full-time: 4 semesters (1.5 years)
- Part-time: 6 semesters (2 years)
What does a typical course schedule look like?
Most Fall and Spring semester courses are short, 8-week sessions covering the same amount of content as a 16-week semester-long course. Summer courses are 9-week short sessions. Students design their course schedule based on their timeline to complete the program:
- Accelerated: 5 courses each in the Fall and Spring semester and 2 in Summer
- Full-time: 3 courses per semester
- Part-time: 2 courses per semester
Sample course maps are available to help you plan your schedule.
When do the fall, spring, and summer semester begin?
Please see the university calendar for more information.
How much does the program cost?
Clayton State offers some of the most affordable tuition for an MPA program in the state of Georgia. The most up-to-date information on graduate tuition rates and fees for Online Master’s Programs is provided by the Bursar’s Office.
Is the GMAT or GRE required?
No, standardized test scores are no longer required for applicants to the MPA program.
Who do I contact if I have questions?
For questions about applying or more information on the program, contact the School of Graduate Studies by email at graduate@clayton.edu.