Online Master in Public Administration

Advance your career on your schedule, in your zip code, with the new Hamline School of Business online master in public administration (MPA) program.

Earn your degree in just two years from our expert scholars and practitioners. Network and learn with leading public servants, like you, from throughout the region. Fuel your passion for the field by working on real-life issues—making change in your workplace and community, as you make your way through the program.  

Virtual & Personal

Our hybrid online/onsite model is designed is to be interactive and engaging, providing you a quality education from the oldest and most prestigious MPA in the region.

Why the online format?

Maintain your schedule. Take courses online with weekend residencies every two months at Hamline’s Minneapolis location.

Build your network. Learn with and from colleagues who share your challenges and offer a wide range of perspectives. As a cohort member, you will develop bonds, share professional knowledge, and build a life-long network.

Why an MPA?

Demand for leaders in your field is growing due to upcoming retirements. Research shows 50% of leadership in the public sector will be eligible for retirement over the next five to 10 years. Take the next step with a MPA degree that helps you advance your career and become a leader in public administration management. Learn more > 

Why Hamline?

You want a program with a long history of leadership in public administration. You want to learn from scholars and professionals in the field who will prepare you for work the next day and for your career into the future. Learn more > 

Faculty

The online Hamline MPA is led by experts in government management and policy. Drawing on years of expertise both in and out of the classroom, they’ll teach you the theory and show you how to apply it directly to your work. Passionate about their fields and dedicated to their students, they represent the best that public administration education has to offer.

Interact with and learn from faculty from a wide variety of public sector experience including:

William Joynes: Former city administrator with over 30 years of experience in the field.
David Schultz: Expert political commentator and public administration scholar.
James Scheibel: Former Mayor of Saint Paul, former director of VISTA and Senior Corps
Jane McPeak: Former administrative law judge for State of Minnesota
Scott Johnson: Apple Valley chief of police
Carol Becker: Elected member of the Minneapolis Board of Estimate and Taxation
Tom Walkington: State and local government leadership consultant
Kristen Norman-Major: Hamline University Program Director and Chair

Time Requirements

Courses are arranged in eight week modules with a weekend residency at the beginning and end of each module. Residencies are 1 p.m. - 8 p.m. on Fridays and 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. on Saturdays. Classes are scheduled year round, enabling you to finish in 24 months instead of 36.

Workloads are equivalent to a traditional master’s degree program and include readings, papers, and research projects. Students are expected to participate in online discussions every week. Residencies are intensive experiences that require prior preparation.

Curriculum

Courses within each module:

Location and Technology

Online:
The online portion of the program may be completed from any location with a high-speed Internet connection. Opening the link below will list the minimum PC and Macintosh requirements you need.

Computer Requirements

Onsite:
Residencies will be held at Hamline’s Minneapolis location at 1600 Utica Ave. S. in St. Louis Park, Minnesota. Reduced student rates are available at the nearby Homewood Suites or Holiday Inn Express.

Admission Requirements

For the Hamline MPA program, we seek principled individuals who have integrity, possess a strong work ethic, show leadership abilities, and want to actively collaborate with other students and faculty members. Applicants must submit the following materials:

1. Completed application form
2. Personal statement
3. Professional Resume
4. Official transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate work
5. Three letters of recommendation
6. Writing sample

For a detailed list and description of requirements, visit the MPA application page or call 800-753-9753.