Public administration
Master of Public Administration
Overview
Related Topics
Prepare for community management
Leadership in the public sector demands a broad understanding of management. The Master of Public Administration (M.P.A.) degree is for students interested in careers in the management of local governments and communities. However, the skills you’ll gain will make you competitive for careers in non-profit, state and federal agencies.
In this program, you can expect to improve your practical and analytical skills while earning real-world experience you need to land a job and successfully manage public organizations. On-campus and online M.P.A. degrees are offered.
This is a non-thesis program. You will be required to complete a public service internship if you have not previously worked in the public or nonprofit sectors. If you have public service experience, you’ll complete field-based research in lieu of an internship.
Program core courses include:
- Public Administration Theory
- Government Budgeting
- Public Personnel Administration
- Local Government Law, Politics and Administration
- Research Methods for Local Government and Community Administration
Serve with confidence
Application information
Applicants for the M.P.A. in public administration must meet the degree-specific admission requirements below:
- Education level: Bachelor’s degree
- GPA: 3.0
- GRE: No
- TOEFL/IELTS: 96/7.0
- Number of references: Three
Program availability
Concentration: non-thesis
Semester intake: Summer, Fall, Spring
- Eligible for 4+1 admission for U of I undergraduates
- Eligible for Expedited admission for U of I undergraduates
- Eligible for WRGP award
- Eligible for international admission
Deadlines: General application deadlines
Visit Graduate Admissions to learn more and start your application.
Contact information
Politics and Philosophy contact: Florian Justwan; fjustwan@uidaho.edu
Graduate Admissions contact: graduateadmissions@uidaho.edu, 208-885-4001
Costs and funding
M.P.A. program costs
All students enrolled in the online M.P.A. program pay the same flat tuition rate of $3,750 per semester, regardless of residency status, enrollment level or academic term. In addition, a $35 per-credit online course fee applies.
Students enrolled in the on-campus M.P.A. program pay standard University of Idaho graduate tuition and fees based on residency status, enrollment level and academic term.
Courses taken outside of the M.P.A. curriculum are billed separately at the university’s standard online or in-person tuition rates, depending on the course format.
Annual cost of attendance for the M.P.A. program
| Online | Idaho resident (In-state) | Non-Idaho resident (Out-of-state) | |
| Full-time tuition and fees | $7,500* | $11,796 | $31,272 |
| Living expenses | N/A | $11,916 | $11,916 |
| Books and supplies | $1,260 | $1,260 | $1,260 |
| Transportation | N/A | $2,874 | $2,874 |
| Miscellaneous/personal costs | $3,838 | $3,838 | $3,838 |
| Total cost of attendance | $12,598 | $31,684 | $51,160 |
* MPA online fee is $3,750/semester. Shown for 2 semesters (fall + spring = $7,500).
To learn about various ways to fund your graduate degree, check out Graduate Funding.
Degree fit
This program could be a good fit if you:
- Are interested in public service.
- Want to work for the public or nonprofit sector.
- Enjoy working with people.
- Have strong leadership and management skills.
Clubs and involvement opportunities
Internships are required as part of the degree program; a waiver is possible for relevant work experience.
Career outcomes
Current job openings
2,025 in ID, WA, OR, MT and HIPotential careers and mid-career salaries
- General and Operations Managers
$109,578 - Transportation and Storage Managers • Supply Chain Managers
$112,376 - Postmasters and Mail Superintendents
$93,426 - Social and Community Service Managers
$88,282 - Regulatory Affairs Managers • Compliance Managers
$102,264
* Career data provided by Lightcast.