Online Degrees & Courses


MPA/MPP online programs are designed to address location and time restrictions professionals face in today’s world. These programs and courses are conducted in an interactive virtual mode. You can pursue them from anywhere, any time. The MPA/MPP online programs incorporate the traditional classroom components of a teaching faculty member, course materials, and the shared experiences of a group of classmates.
 
Classes begin and end on specific dates and are taught by a faculty member who interacts with individuals through email or group conferencing software. Classes in the MPA/MPP online programs combine text materials, lecture videos, case studies, threaded discussions, interactive online meetings, and video conferencing.Interaction with faculty and among students is regular. See the list of online MPA/MPP programs & courses.
 
Curriculum
MPA/MPP online programs have very similar curriculum to regular programs consisting of core and elective courses. The main difference is in the medium of teaching. Please check with an MPA/MPP online program to learn the details of their curricula.
 
The following are sample core and elective courses offered by an online MPA/MPP program:
 
Core Courses
Elective Courses
  • Environment and Practice of Public Administration
  • Public Management
  • Administrative Theory and Behavior
  • Quantitative Methods in Public Administration
  • Administrative and Public Policy Analysis
  • Seminar: Public Personnel and Labor Relations
  • Seminar: Public Financial Management
  • Foundations of Ethical Administration
  • Capstone: Integrative Seminar in Public Administration
  • Honors Thesis
  • Administrative Law
  • Intergovernmental Relations and Grant-Writing
  • Administrative Planning
  • Seminar: Individual and Group Behavior in Organizations
  • Seminar: Human Resources Management
  • Special Topics in Public Administration
 
Admission
Applicants to MPA/MPP online programs need to meet graduate admission requirements of each university. This implies that they need to hold an undergraduate degree from an accredited academic institution, have a grade point average of 3.0 and higher, and attain minimum score of 550 on TOEFL. For application deadlines and other requirements please consult with each MPA/MPP online program. Following is the list of documents required for the admission into a typical online MPA/MPP programs.
  • Paper or Online application for the Online MPA/MPP Program
  • Two official sealed transcripts from each college or university attended
  • Official TOEFL score
  • A one-to-two page typewritten personal statement that describes the applicant's professional accomplishments and goals and how the MPA degree fits into his/her career interests
  • A current resumé
  • Application fee

Hardware Requirements & Software Knowledge

Online MPA/MPP programs usually require special computer hardware and software availability. A typical online program requires that you have the following information technology, and computer skills to enroll into the program:
 
Hardware
Computer
PC
Minimum Processor Speed
Pentium (I-IV)
Minimum Memory       
64 MB or Greater
Internet Service Provider
Preferably High Speed Access (If dial-up user, contact the each MPA/MPP Coordinator)
Software
Operating System
Windows 95 or 98 or later
Web Browsers 
Internet Explorer*  (preferred) or Netscape Navigator
Word Processors
Word or WordPerfect
Video Viewers
Real Basic; plus, Quick Time; plus, Windows Media Player 
Spreadsheets
Excel
Email
Any
 
Please consult with each online MPA/MPP program staff to learn their specific software and hardware requirements.
NASPAA IWP