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MPA

MPA Master of Public Administration

Hybrid

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Prepare to lead with a master's in public administration

Hamline’s master’s in public administration program has been an innovator in public administration education for over 40 years. Over the course of the program, you will gain a theory-to-practice approach and immediately be able to apply what you learn to better your community.

In addition, you will work alongside instructors with years of experience in the field and take on challenging public issues, including public works, transportation, and public health and safety.

By joining the first MPA degree program of its kind in the upper Midwest, you will:

  • Gain valuable skills and tools that you can apply to your work the next day.  
     
  • Develop your expertise so you can provide important leadership to public sector agencies and positively affect people's lives in an ever-changing landscape.
     
  • Expand your professional network by learning from instructors and colleagues who are actively engaged in public service. You’ll also join a network of more than 1,000 MPA alumni serving the public across the state of MN and nationwide.

What will it take?

10
courses
40
credits
Cost per Credit
593
Time to Complete
20
months
Next Session Starts
April 29, 2024

MPA program details

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Format
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Time to complete
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Courses
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Application Requirements
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Start dates and deadlines

You can start Hamline’s Master of Public Administration throughout the year. While we review applications on a rolling basis (meaning you can apply at any time), those who apply by the priority deadline for that term are guaranteed a decision and get prioritized for scholarships.

Priority application deadlines

  • August 1 to start fall term
  • December 1 to start spring term
  • April 1 to start summer term

How to apply

Fall term starts
Spring term starts
Summer term starts

Hybrid master's degree in public administration

With Hamline's MPA degree, you'll receive the benefits of online courses and in-person learning. Your courses are offered synchronously (i.e., a set scheduled time) online or on-campus (generally once a week in the evening from 5:45 to 9:45 p.m.) or asynchronously online with one or two sessions on-campus occurring Fridays 1 to 8 p.m. and/or Saturdays 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Get your MPA degree in less than two years

With our term-by-term plan, you can complete your master's degree in public administration in just 20 months (five terms).

Master's in public administration courses

Year One - Fall Term

  • MPA 8001: Leading in Organizations*
  • MPA 8050: Human Resource Management for Government

Year One - Spring Term

  • MPA 8015: Scope and Dynamics of Public Administration
  • MPA 8061: Administrative Law

Year One - Summer Term

  • MPA 8065: Data Analytics and Decision Making
  • MPA 8040: Public Policy Analysis*

Year Two - Fall Term

  • MPA 8075: Ethics, Equity, and Social Justice
  • MPA 8030: Public Fiscal Management and Budgeting

Year Two - Spring Term

  • Elective course 
  • MPA 8225: Critical Issues in Public Administration*

*Denotes courses satisfied with the completion of the Certified Public Manager certificate.

View MPA Courses

How to apply to the MPA

To apply to the Master of Public Administration program, you’ll submit the following:

  • Online application (no fee for US residents)
  • A personal statement, up to three pages, answering the following:
    • Why are you pursuing graduate studies at this time in your career, and what do you hope to accomplish by doing so?
    • What makes the Hamline graduate program you have chosen appealing to you? What strengths do you seek to strengthen; what challenges do you seek to overcome?
    • At Hamline, we believe in the power of teams. Thus, we teach and have students practice teamwork skills throughout the program. Please describe a past team experience—either excellent or difficult—and what you learned from the experience.
  • A resume
  • Official transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate work. If your transcripts are in a language other than English, you must submit both the original and an official or certified course-by-course English translation. Official transcript of a bachelor's degree must be from a regionally accredited college or university. These should be sent directly from the institution to Graduate Admissions or provided in a sealed, signed envelope. Official electronic copies should be emailed to gradprog@hamline.edu. The Hamline University School of Business reserves the right to require applicants to have their academic records evaluated by an academic credential evaluator.
  • Two recommendation forms detailing your qualifications to pursue advanced study written by people unrelated to you who are familiar with your academic and/or professional history. These forms will be sent to recommenders you identify as part of your online application.
  • International applicants only: For residents outside of the United States, please view the additional requirements for applying to Hamline University.

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Double your credentials with a Certified Public Manager Certificate

Logo of CPM Certified Public Manager

Now you can earn national certification along with your MPA degree. Complete Hamline's Certified Public Manager Certificate and transfer the 12 credits you earn to satisfy three courses in the Master of Public Administration.

Hamline offers the only program in Minnesota that offers you the national trademark designation of CPM (Certified Public Manager). You will also become a member of the American Academy of Certified Public Managers.

How we help make your MPA affordable

Competitive tuition

When you invest in a master’s degree in public administration from Hamline, you benefit from a prestigious degree from Minnesota's first university. We work hard to ensure our tuition, accompanied by scholarships, tuition discounts, and other financial aid, is a worthwhile investment for all students.

MPA Tuition

Generous financial aid

 Along with the scholarships and tuition discounts listed below, additional financial aid is also available, and many graduate students use low-interest loans to finance their education.

  • Ruby Hunt Endowed Scholarship – up to $2500
  • Steve and Julie Novak Endowed Scholarship – up to $2000 per year
  • Gladys Sinclair Brooks Endowed Scholarship – up to $2000 per year
  • James F. Miller Endowed Scholarship – up to $1000 per year
  • Jane Calabria McPeak Endowed Scholarship – up to $1000 per year 
  • Learning Partnership discounts – 10% discount
  • Service scholarships
  • Alumni discounts – 10% discount

MPA Scholarships  Financial Aid

Receive up to 10% off tuition if you’re employed by one of our 44 city or 16 county partners

Tuition discounts can save you $59 per credit

Man looking at laptop of grad student

Career planning support

You don’t have to navigate your career on your own. Beginning with orientation, your career advisor will guide you in developing an individual career plan that will best meet your professional goals.

MPA news

Kris Norman Faculty Profile
April 17 2023 / Inside Hamline News

Norman Published

Kris Norman , professor in the Master of Public Administration and PhD in Management and Public Service programs a well as director of the Center for...

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