Master of Public Administration - MPA Degree

Serving the Common Good

Hamline has been an innovator in public administration education for more than 30 years with its Master and Doctorate of Public Administration degrees. Our programs take a theory-to-practice approach so that you immediately apply what you learn. Working with instructors who have years of experience in their respective fields and are passionate about teaching, you will build your expertise and enrich your community.

Online or On Campus

Hamline offers two convenient formats to fit the lives of working professionals.

With an MPA Degree from Hamline, you will:

• Build the skills necessary to take on the continually changing issues in serving the public, from public works and transportation to public health and safety.
• Develop your expertise so you can provide important leadership to public sector agencies and positively affect people’s lives.
• Learn from a broad network of public sector professionals with relevant, real-world experience.
• Expand your professional networks, learning from instructors and colleagues who are actively engaged in public service at local, state, and federal levels of government.
• Join a network of more than 1,000 Hamline MPA alumni serving the public across the state and nation.

Program Overview

Program Formats

• On-campus, eight-week terms, Saint Paul campus
• Online cohort with weekend residencies every eight weeks, West Metro location. Residencies are held 1–8 p.m. on Friday and 9 a.m.–4 p.m. on Saturday.

Program Begins

• On-campus program begins in late August
• Online program with residencies begins in early January

Time to Complete

• On campus: two to four years, flexible to meet your needs
• Online with residencies: two years

Program Details

48 credits: course information and program details

Cost

View current tuition rates. 

Scholarships

Hamline offers annual and endowed scholarships ranging from $800 to $2,000 per year for new students in the MPA program as well as learning partner scholarships and discounts by partnering with cities, counties, and organizations to offer discounts to their employees.

Alumni Discount

Hamline alumni of both undergraduate and master’s degree programs are eligible to receive a 10% tuition discount when they enroll in any School of Business master’s or doctoral program.

Note: Hamline University and the School of Business offer several scholarship and discount opportunities to help with the cost of tuition; scholarships and discounts cannot be combined. 

Learning Outcomes

The purpose of learning outcomes at Hamline University is to ensure that our mission and values are realized in what our graduating students know, value, and can do. View all learning outcomes for Master in Public Administration.

Learn More

Contact a Graduate Admission counselor and request information to learn more about pursuing a Master of Public Administration.

Request Info

State Eligibility and Complaint Process

State Eligibility

Hamline University, like all higher education institutions, must follow individual state regulations before enrolling students outside of Minnesota in its online programs. Hamline can enroll students residing in most states, but please confirm whether your state is among the eligible states.   

Hamline University is committed to providing outstanding online education. If you have a question, concern, or complaint about your online education experience at Hamline, please review our complaint process for online education at Hamline.