Masters in Public Administration
School of Social and Human Studies
Academic Freedom to Discover Your Purpose
Open Curriculum Design at Atlantic International University
AIU’s Masters in Public Administration provides adult learners flexibility and higher education intended for adult learners. MPA public administration graduate programs provide options for a comprehensive and flexible MPA in public administration through fully online graduate programs and courses. Based on an andragogical approach, AIU’s educational experience is contemporary, applicable, and relevant to real-world applications of public administration. This Public Administration Masters, using distance learning, affords students high-quality learning opportunities and a chance to take their educational experiences into the public sector as leaders and change agents while fulfilling their personal and professional lives.
Core Courses & Topics: Masters in Public Administration
Important: Below is an example of the topics or areas you may develop and work on during your studies. By no means is it a complete or required list, as AIU programs do not follow a standardized curriculum. It is meant solely as a reference point and example. Want to learn more about the curriculum design at AIU?
Check here: Course and Curriculum
AIU’s Masters in Public Administration program provides a rigorous curriculum to serve today’s public sector professionals. AIU is already preparing students for the industry ranks within Masters in Public Administration programs and our holistic courses encompass a broad range of topics – public policy, organizational development, budgeting, and ethical leadership. Not only does AIU provide one of the most affordable MPA programs, but we are proud to offer high quality education to everyone. Further, AIU’s online Masters in Public Administration program requires no GRE which can work great for academics, especially for working professionals looking for a flexible, convenient path to completing a graduate degree.
Orientation Courses
As we start the AIU Masters in Public Administration (MPA) program, students take orientation courses to set an essential foundation for their studies. The orientation courses include an overview of MPA degree career options, such as where to work and other paths for public, private, and/or nonprofit sectors. Instance and the courses in research methods, academic writing, and principles of public administration, assist students in preparing for the academic curriculum. As a student in one of the most respected and accredited MPA programs (and with information and career orientation certification), these courses are important in providing fundamental knowledge and skill around academic scholarship programs (or research) and completing their program.
- Communication & Investigation (Comprehensive Resume)
- Seminar Administrative Development (Book Summary)
- Organization Theory (Portfolio)
- Seminar Cultural Development (Practical Experience)
- Experiential Learning (Autobiography)
- Seminar International Development (Publications)
Research Projects
The AIU Masters program in Public Administration (MPA) includes many research projects that can help students further explore the meaning of Public Administration. Research projects usually include the following subjects pertaining to Public Administration, including public policy evaluation, organizational effectiveness of organizations, and advancing or new approaches to urban development.
Students could be researching health initiatives, improving accountability in the public sector, bridging the digital divide and opportunities for integrating technology in government service delivery. All research projects are designed with practical relevance, and value to the discipline of Public Administration. Upon graduation from our MPA programs, you will be well equipped to work with evidence-based solutions as you confront genuine public issues. It is important for students to be able to enrich their MPA degree with extensive apply experience, in addition to the course material, as this is a valued skill set in the public sector.
- MBM300 Thesis Proposal
- MBM302 Masters Thesis (5,000 words)
Publication – AIU supports students in the Masters in Public Administration program to take action in their field through research publication. Our Administration Masters students have avenues to publish their research findings, policy analysis, and case study in peer-reviewed public administration journals and public administration conferences. Publication will help our students elevate their academic and professional profile, while offering new evidence, knowledge, and innovations to the public administration field. By engaging in student publications, AIU’s Administration Masters candidates are fully immersed in the public sector, and, thus recognized as savvy experts in the field, advocating and advancing knowledge and practice in the public sector.
Thesis Defense for Masters in Public Administration
The thesis defense is a key element of the Masters in Public Administration (MPA) program of AIU, the final step in the path of study that students have undertaken. In the thesis defense, students must present their research to a number of faculty, documenting their ability to understand public administration theories and practices, document their abilities to put these theories and practices into action in analytic ways, and document their speaking skills and professional presentation skills.
The thesis defense process allows students to explain their contributions to literature, get faculty reaction to the work, and enter into scholarly debate on the project. Successful completion of their thesis entry affirms students are ready to be successful upon entry into the workforce whether in education, social work, public affairs, or public administration, and respect the reputation of high standards for the MPA program of AIU.
Student Experience: Masters in Public Administration
The student experience in AIU’s Masters in Public Administration (MPA) program is further enhanced by the use of advanced AI tools to facilitate learning and professional development. AIU provides access to platforms powered by AI to assist in research, data analysis and project management to help students address complex public administration challenges coherently. Likewise, use of virtual assistants enables support for academic advising and scheduling so that students remain on track in their coursework.
Use of AI-powered simulation tools set in realistic policy-making or crisis management scenarios provides immersive opportunities for practical skill development while applying theoretical learning to complex real-world applications. The advanced AI resources combined with AIU’s educational philosophy that is tailored to individual student education and progressive learning creates a beneficial and supportive learning community for MPA students to yield successful outcomes in public administration careers.
Community & Social
The Masters in Public Administration program uniquely engages students with a variety of technology to foster a diverse, coherent, and connected community in coexistence. Online programming at AIU, like the MPA program, is designed so that students are never lonely, and with the help of the Virtual Campus, Mobile App, MYAIU, AIULink and other AIU community engagement tools, students regularly interact with peers, alumni and faculty by engaging in events such as symposiums, conferences, webinars and competitions.
Ultimately resources such as AIUTV, the Curriculum Builder Tool, the Merlin Media Center, CampusAPP, Virtual Laboratories (V-Labs) and etc. ensure that students have variety of options to be active and connected members of the AIU community, whether through live, real-time engagements or archived materials. In a ‘digital ecosystem,’ AIU offers students the ability to connect as active or passive participants in their own choice, by a selection of events: engagements such as live or archived webinars, live or archived virtual conferences, live chats, and the Language Center to engage in low stakes second language opportunities.
While building a strong network of engaged tutors, academic advisors, staff and fellow alumni, students become active members of the AIU community that experience cohesive growth and belongingness as they seek peer and academic certification. Cohesively, AIU has a commitment to students as “ONE”, the idea of a ‘University of One’ captures the central idea of commitment to a shared academic experience and learning with a strong community feel.
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Academic Resources
The journey for a Master’s in Public Administration at Atlantic International University (AIU) is robust and enriched with innovative academic resources. With the Virtual Campus, there are many opportunities for impactful and creative engagement for students as well as a vibrant and lifelong learning community with over 25 unique opportunities that allow for individual potential to unfold. The recent launch of a Virtual Reality 3D immersion option allows for students to engage and expand their education journey unlike before.
AIU has many academic resources for students to engage with so they can grow and achieve their goals. The AIU Online library is also such a tremendous resource as this gives students access to more than 260,000 books plus over 30 million peer-reviewed articles, journals, and periodicals! Plus, their engagement with the Merlin Media Center allows students to access and use updated academic resources produced by over 105,000 students at AIU, promoting collaborative learning, sharing learning, and sharing with others their knowledge.
Students enrolled in a Master’s in Public Administration program at AIU now have that exact same opportunity available to them. With all these resources at a student’s fingertips, whether it is impersonal, collaborative or personal learning they are now set up to be successful, to grow themselves personally and professionally, and provide some impact back to a Public Administration community.
Virtual Campus
Complete assignments online or offline at your convenience with 24/7 access to distance learning through AIU’s Virtual Campus. Step by Step guides including videos, tutorials, live webinars and examples for each course. All materials can be access on all web browsers as well as via AIU's Mobile App which brings all the features of the Virtual Camus to your Mobile Device.
My AIU Elements
MyAIU’s primary goal is to go beyond Academics, it looks to guide students through 11 elements that are key to living life optimally in all aspects. By identifying and reflecting on these key areas, an opportunity arises to holistically address them, through positive change, habits, reinforcement and tools to keep students on their chosen path.
AIU TV & Radio
The students have the opportunity to produce, edit and host their own show reaching a worldwide audience, the AIU community and giving notice of their expertise/passion in the subject. AIUTV & AIU Radio allow students to explore new ways to communicate, develop a platform and form potential collaboration with likeminded individuals.
AIU Campus Mundi
AIU Campus Mundi is a monthly magazine that gathers the most notable news and information about the university and its members in one convenient place. The magazine allows our community to be well informed, involved and keep in tough regardless of their geographic location. AIU Campus Mundi publishes, news, research, events, awards, academic achievements.
Graduation Ceremony
Each year AIU organizes graduation ceremonies where the students can assist and share their experiences with fellow students and academic members Participation in the ceremony is optional, the day’s events include conferences, research presentations, group meetings, networking, lunch and formal dinner.
Symposiums & Webinars
Take a journey of exploration and invention with Masters in Public Administration Symposiums at AIU. Our symposiums are active forums where passionate thinkers converge to ponder the intricacies of public administration, engage with contemporary challenges, and consider the future of governance. Participants develop profound new understandings, make important connections, and inspire change in the world of public service.
Live Classes
At Atlantic International University (AIU), the Master’s in Public Administration program is committed to offering students a highly interactive experience. Students can attend up to two live class sessions each day from expert instructors who are intentionally focused on your academic and professional strengths.
The live classes provide opportunities for rich discussions, real-time feedback and group and peer learning. Whether you are discussing public policy, governance or organization management, you will have daily experiences and faculty expertise that guide you through those experiences. By providing a highly interactive experience for students, AIU is positioning its students to build their knowledge, skills, and confidence as public administrators encounter complex problems in doing good work.
AIU Live Classes Examples on Public Administration:
Special Projects, Research Publications, & Co-Authoring
The Masters in Public Administration program at AIU includes more than just coursework, through Special Projects, Research Publications, and Co-authorship. These experiences allow students to engage more deeply with their content areas in Public Administration, and apply their knowledge of theory to practice, make meaningful contributions in the field, and explore a variety of projects with faculty and colleagues in a collaborative approach. In these applied research studies students can conduct meaningful research, address real-life problems through applications of knowledge, and write a publication with their name for others to read in the academic and professional context. AIU believes that a spirit of exploration and collaboration will contribute to the value it places on preparation of future MPA graduates to ultimately instigate positive change in diverse segments of the public sector in the world.
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Career Center for Masters in Public Administration
At AIU, we know that launching successful careers in public administration is essential. That’s why we have a Career Center built for our Masters in Public Administration students. In this one-of-a-kind Center, our staff is dedicated to providing personalized attention, professional development resources, and professional connections to support your journey through the complex public service career landscape. AIU Cares by not only working with you on resumes and interview development, but by partnering with you fully on internship placement, cultivating job search strategies, and working toward helping you achieve municipal or government positions that can lead you to accomplishing your career goals. We care about your career aspirations and our Career Center is committed to supporting you throughout your internship and in your job search.
Job Description
After completing their Masters in Public Administration degree at AIU students will have a valuable array of skills as well as knowledge of governance, public policy analysis and public management to last a lifetime. This forms a strong foundation for a variety of careers in public, private and not-for-profit occupations. A few examples of employment roles for MPA graduates are:
- Policy Analyst
- Program Manager
- Government Affairs Specialist
- Budget Analyst
- Nonprofit Administrator
- Legislative Assistant
- City Manager
- Urban Planner
- Public Relations Specialist
- Human Resources Manager
Tools for Masters in Public Administration
Pursuing a profession in public administration means you will want to learn about governance, policy, and management in the public sector and how it is uniquely operated with respective stakeholders. A Master in Public Administration (MPA), molded for professionals to tackle/engage public sector challenges. With the material, MPA professionals will leverage resources for decision making to enhance productivity and efficiency with performance and accountability. Please remember you might not need all of the tools yet or at all, however, here are a few tools MPA students and professionals should be aware of:
- Government Performance Measurement Dashboard: Keep tracking and adjust reporting of government programs and initiatives with performance with metrics via OpenGov like tool.
- Policy Review Software: Analyze and evaluate policy proposals to the best of your ability with policy review software like Quantrix, that allows for effective and powerful data analysis.
- Project Management Software: Stay on track and deliver on time while managing your planned project with project management software like Asana or Trello, which certainly all your colleagues are using already.
- Data Visualization Software: If you are required to present complex data analytics, you can find value in data visualization software like Tableau and Power BI for data insights and trends to presentation.
- GIS Software: Among the generally accepted values, there are chief types of spatial data and current accepted facilities of GIS software that can help with making decisions: ArcGIS and QGIS are respected as both well maintained and widely accepted.
- Budgeting and Financial Management Software: Public finance professionals would require use of software about budgets. Munis is an example of one budgeting software package that would have budgeting as well as accounting functions.
- Public Engagement platforms: Public Engagement management software will assist your organization in soliciting citizen-initiated feedback and engagement on urban build engagement sites such as Bang the Table or Engage.
- Legal Research Databases: LexisNexis and Westlaw are examples of two comprehensive legal resources you will want to know what laws there are and regulations that are related.
- Performance Evaluation Tools: Your effective programming will rely on your abilities to develop data analyses within each program. You may consider tools such as EvalC3 later in your program and seek feedback for surveys helpful through Survey Monkey.
- Team Collaboration Tools: Your team may have already selected their communication tools; popular platforms such as Slack and Microsoft Teams.
Associations for Masters in Public Administration Professionals
Beginning your journey to become a professional in public administration opens the door for individuals who have an interest in policy development, promoting change, and effecting positive improvements in society. Once you begin a career in public administration, you will belong to various associations and networks full of resources, networking opportunities, and employment possibilities. Below are some of the more prominent associations associated with masters in public administration:
- American Society for Public Administration (ASPA)
- Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA)
- International City/County Management Association (ICMA)
- Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management (APPAM)
- National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration (NASPAA)
- American Political Science Association (APSA) – Public Administration Section
- National Forum for Black Public Administrators (NFBPA)
- Association for Budgeting and Financial Management (ABFM)
- American Planning Association (APA)
- Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) – Public Sector Division
These associations provide platforms for collaboration, knowledge exchange, and continuous learning, essential for excelling in the dynamic field of public administration.
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Masters in Public Administration Requirements
Candidates for admission into the Master’s in Public Administration program at AIU must meet a standard set of criteria to ready candidates for the academic rigor tied to the learning experience. One criterion is that an applicant must have earned a Bachelor’s degree from an acceptable institution. AIU welcomes diversity and invites applicants with a desire for public service and commitment to improving society from all disciplines of study.
How Can You Apply?
Here are the steps to apply for a Bachelor’s in Public Administration at AIU:
- Search for Courses: Go to the AIU website, find the undergraduate programs section and search through the list of courses, finally find the Bachelor’s in Public Administration program.
- Pick the Course You Want: When you have found the program for your Bachelor of Public Administration, check out the curriculum, course layout and any other extra information, to see if it is the right program for you.
- Provide Your Details: Click on the application link for the bachelor’s in Public Administration program; you will be taken to a form where you will have to enter some of your personal details, which will include your name, contact details, educational history, and any employment history if relevant.
- Submit Application: After you enter your details you can submit the application.
- Advisors call: Before you know it, one of the advisors will call you.
Financial Support & Scholarships
Enrolling in an Atlantic International University (AIU) Master in Public Administration (MPA) program constitutes not only an academic milestone but an opportunity to seek funding through a variety of scholarships designed to make study accessible and attractive. At AIU we appreciate diversity and inclusion, which means we desire students that express a desire to pursue higher education and financial barriers should never prohibit anyone from pursuing higher education. AIU will take every reasonable step possible to enable talented students to achieve their goal of studies in MPA (as long as scholarship funds exist) with minimal financial obligation. What else is exciting – AIU has all types of scholarships (merit, needs and special scholarship opportunities). The definitions of scholarships will allow student applicants to fulfill their goals and aspirations while recognizing achievement of merit, potential leadership ability, and commitment and contribution to community service while also appealing to MPA applicants.
What’s the Cost Per Year for Pursuing a Masters in Public Administration at AIU?
At AIU Online, pursuing a Master’s in Public Administration (MPA) is a flexible and convenient way to co-ordinate a higher education opportunity for yourself. Knowing the permanency is critical, and AIU also makes an effort to be clear regarding its tuition costs. The cost per year to obtain an MPA with AIU Online is based on a variety of issues which will affect how many credits taken per term, whether you are receiving any scholarships, grants or financial aid that may apply. Generally, AIU Online tuition rates were set-up for working professionals to be able to afford school in the amount charged per credit hour and then based on other resources or services available with iced fees being charged as well.
AIU is fully engaged in providing you with tuition fees that are competitive based on the quality and value you will receive in education. Likewise, MPA tuition are charged to reasonable deliverable student loans, grants, and varying scholarships combined through the assistance of providing you low tuition thus helping you to experience economics, which will really help when financial planning can be addressed.
FAQs
What is a Masters in Public Administration (MPA)?
A Master’s in Public Administration (MPA) is a graduate-level degree program that trains on organizational management, policy analysis, public finance, and ethics in preparation for small and large, local, state, and federal government, and nonprofit management leadership careers.
What is beneficial about an MPA degree?
The core courses for an MPA (Master of Public Administration degree) have worthwhile coursework in leadership, policy analysis, and public service that produce practitioner competencies to seek a multitude of career choices in the government, international organizations, and/or nonprofit organizations. MPA degree programs can be designed for both career advancement and networking, with applications for social change, leading to graduates being equipped to take on information on their future (leadership) paths for creating value in solving complex social issues while imagining ethical public governance and welfare.
Is work experience required to apply for an MPA program?
Although work experience is generally not a requirement to apply to an MPA program, there are many programs that do not block any professional experience, and would prefer it, particularly in related domains including public service, nonprofit, or government service. Some MPA programs may maintain the flexibility to allow applicants that are just graduates, and students with good grades who show a serious interest in public administration and have relevant skills and qualifications. Therefore, since programs will have different requirements, it is essential to check, for each MPA program you plan to apply to, their specific requirements for each program.
What are some common courses offered in MPA programs?
Common full-time MPA programs offer courses on policy analysis, public finances, organizational management, and leadership, research methods, and ethics aides. There will also be special course offerings with topics on, among other subjects, nonprofit management, public policy apologizing evaluation, and urban planning to help students gain a comprehensive understanding of public administration.
What is the difference between an MPA and MBA?
Both degrees are management focused; however, an MPA (Master of Public Administration) focuses on public sector governance, policy analysis, and nonprofit management which prepares students for public sector or nonprofit organization careers, while an MBA (Master of Business Administration) focuses on business disciplines, such as finance, marketing, and operations, and typically has a career focus in the private sector.
Are there scholarships or financial aid options available for MPA students?
Yes, scholarships and financial aid options are available for MPA students at AIU.
