MPA Master of Public Administration
Hybrid
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Prepare to lead with a master's in public administration
Hamline’s hybrid master’s in public administration program has been an innovator in public administration education for over 40 years. With online and in-person courses on our Minnesota campus, 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 Minnesota and nationwide.
What will it take?
MPA program details
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
Hybrid master's degree in public administration
With Hamline's MPA degree, you'll receive the benefits of online courses and in-person learning with our campus conveniently located in the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area. 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 two sessions on-campus occurring Fridays 1 to 8 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
You'll complete Hamline's Master's in Public Administration degree in 10 courses, six in year one and four in year two. Please see Hamline's Bulletin, linked below, for complete course descriptions.
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.
The program is incredibly flexible—making it easily doable with your work schedule. It is not overwhelming at all. Another great thing about the program is that you learn more than good leadership traits. You learn to see other people’s perspectives, nurture your emotional intelligence, and communicate clearly.
Double your credentials with a Certified Public Manager Certificate
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.
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 $2,500
- Steve and Julie Novak Endowed Scholarship – up to $2,000 per year
- Gladys Sinclair Brooks Endowed Scholarship – up to $2,000 per year
- James F. Miller Endowed Scholarship – up to $1,000 per year
- Jane Calabria McPeak Endowed Scholarship – up to $1,000 per year
- Learning Partnership discounts – 10% discount
- Service discounts – 10% discount
- Alumni discounts – 10% discount
When I started the program, I was in the private sector, I worked for ConAir. I have since transitioned to city government, Maple Plain. Being able to network and make connections that I would not have normally made has helped out a ton.
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.