Master of Public Administration
Online
Master degree
DURATION
36 hours
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time, Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Jan 2026
TUITION FEES
USD 676 / per credit **
STUDY FORMAT
Distance Learning
* rolling admissions
** per credit hour
Key Summary
Make a difference and help transform the status quo. The public administration field offers a wealth of opportunity as well as professional mobility. EKU’s public administration program allows you to leverage your interests and work experience by acquiring in-depth specialization in a range of focus areas. Graduates are prepared to assume a variety of leadership roles within the nonprofit, public sector, and government institutions.
What sets our program apart?
Providing a program that can be tailored to your career goals, EKU’s curriculum blends academic and professional preparation through course topics such as public sector leadership, public finance administration, human resources management, community development, and emergency management.
- Earn a certificate in an area of specialization as you complete your degree
- Accelerated 8-week terms
- Courses begin 6 times per year
- Reduced tuition for active-duty military members
- Personalized graduation plan
- No campus visits required
- Free online tutoring and career services assistance
- Ranked by U.S. News & World Report among the best universities offering online degrees
Find Your Scholarship
A scholarship is a financial award given to students to help pay for their education that does not need to be paid back. Scholarships are awarded by schools, universities, and other organizations, and are based on a variety of criteria, such as academic achievement, financial need, or professional experience. The money can be used to cover tuition, books, housing, food, and other educational expenses. Please note that institutional scholarships, including merit awards, may not be stacked with other scholarships or tuition waivers and require the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Merit Scholarships for In-State First-Time Freshmen
Merit scholarships make EKU even more affordable for first-time students.* EKU recognizes the hard work and dedication needed to achieve at a high level. Get rewarded for your high school accomplishments with merit scholarships. If you meet the following criteria, merit scholarships will automatically be applied to your account. No application needed!
Merit Scholarships for Out-of-State First-Time Freshmen
High-achieving students can get rewarded for their work and receive additional scholarships to make EKU even more affordable. If you meet the following criteria, merit scholarships may be applied to your account automatically without the need for an application!
Additional EKU Scholarships for First-Time Freshmen
Kentucky residents who are Pell Grant-eligible may receive this scholarship, which will cover up to 100 percent of tuition and fees for first-year students who have a 3.0 high school GPA. This scholarship is intended to act as “gap funding” for any first-time freshman who has exhausted all avenues of federal, state, and institutional scholarship and grant assistance, and still has a remaining balance for tuition and required fees. This scholarship is for on-campus students only. This cannot be awarded in addition to a Merit Tier scholarship.
Eligibility Requirements: On-campus, Pell Grant-eligible, Kentucky resident, first-time freshman with a 3.0 high school GPA
EKU Scholarships for On-Campus, In-State Transfer Students*
Eastern Kentucky University values the education and experience students from other schools bring to their EKU experience. On-campus students who transfer to EKU with 24 earned college credits are eligible for the following scholarships. If you meet the following criteria, transfer scholarships will automatically be applied to your account. No application needed!
Foundation Scholarships
EKU has made a difference in thousands of lives. Donors who have experienced the life-changing effect an EKU education can have now want to make a difference in your life. Thanks to their generosity, there are hundreds of scholarships available for EKU students.
Eligibility criteria range from GPA to county of residence to degree program and more. Simply fill out the foundation scholarship application, and you’ll learn which scholarships you may be eligible for.
Outside Scholarships
These scholarships are awarded by an organization other than the government or university. They are available from several groups, organizations, and entities nationwide. Third-party scholarships can be general in nature or very specialized and tied to the type of work you would be doing after graduation.
If you receive an outside scholarship, you must notify Big E Central so the award can be properly reported as part of your total aid package. Failure to report awards can result in the award not being accepted or a portion of the funds having to be repaid due to overpayment.
Core Courses --- 21
- POL 800 --- Research Methods --- 3
- POL 801 --- Administration, Ethics, and Public Policy --- 3
- POL 874 --- Public Sector Leadership --- 3
- POL 875 --- Public Sector Organizations and Management --- 3
- POL 876 --- Public Human Resources Management --- 3
- POL 877 --- Public Finance Administration --- 3
- POL 879 --- Policy Analysis and Program Evaluation --- 3
Concentration --- 12-15
Select one of the following concentrations:
- Community Development --- 12
- Emergency Management & Disaster Resilience --- 12
- Interdisciplinary Studies --- 12
- Nonprofit Management Concentration --- 12
Together with your advisor, select 12 hours of approved electives for a general public administration degree
Field Study Requirement --- 3
Together with your advisor, select one of the following:
- POL 870 --- Internship in Public Administration
- POL 871 --- Applied Research in Public Administration
Total Hours --- 36
A degree in public administration (MPA) can open the door to a number of rewarding career opportunities in the nonprofit, public and private sectors.
Public administration programs prepare students to work in social service and government agencies. From developing programs and resources for low-income individuals and families to serving in public office, MPA graduates have a competitive edge in the job market. MPA programs provide essential skills for today’s work environment and allow you to bring your on-the-job experience into the classroom, helping you make your mark as a public servant.
Job Opportunities
Urban & Regional Planners
- Median Annual Salary: $73,050 per year / $35 per hour
- Number of Jobs: 39,100
- Typical Entry-Level Education: Master’s Degree
Human Resource Manager
- Median Annual Salary: $113,300 per year / $54 per hour
- Number of Jobs: 152,100
- Typical Entry-Level Education: Bachelor’s Degree
Social & Community Services Manager
- Median Annual Salary: $65,320 per year $31 per hour
- Number of Jobs: 168,800
- Typical Entry-Level Education: Bachelor’s Degree
Emergency Mgmt Director
- Median Annual Salary: $74,420 per year / $35 per hour
- Number of Jobs: 9,900
- Typical Entry-Level Education: Bachelor’s Degree