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Discover the benefits of earning your Master of Public Administration from Sacred Heart University.
Master of Public Administration
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What is a Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree?
An MPA is a professional graduate degree that will prepare you for leadership in local, state and federal government, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and nonprofit organizations. The MPA is considered the MBA equivalent for individuals in the public sector.
The fully-online MPA program at SHU is ideal for students seeking public sector career placement or advancement.
Why Earn Your Master of Public Administration at Sacred Heart?
The online MPA at SHU offers two completion tracks to accommodate the needs of every graduate student. Our full-time option allows you to earn your MPA in just one year, and our part-time track allows you to complete your degree in as little as two years.
Our cohort model gives you the opportunity to collaborate closely with peers and mentors for a personalized and highly supportive graduate experience.
Through Sacred Heart’s partnership with the Institute for Public Policy & Civic Engagement students have the opportunity to participate in real-time studies, equipping them with hands-on skills that will serve them in their careers. Students will develop an understanding of the public policy process, apply analytical skills to make data-driven decisions, and learn to foster transparency and accountability by communicating key public issues to diverse audiences.
In partnership with SHU’s Jack Welch College of Business & Technology, students have access to the Center for Nonprofit Organizations. Through this strategic partnership program, graduate students who are interested in managing and leading nonprofit organizations have the opportunity to apply their knowledge and skills to challenges, brainstorm viable solutions and further the mission of a nonprofit organization in the nearby community.
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The concepts taught by Sacred Heart's faculty have prepared me to adapt to changes and become a well-rounded police officer. And the connections made with professors who are experts within my field provided me with resources for the future, as well as unique perspectives and methods of achieving goals in my field.
First Responder Discount
Sacred Heart University offers a 50% tuition discount for first responders throughout the tri-state area who enroll in the program.
Dual Degree Program
Students apply to the Bachelor’s-Master of Public Administration (MPA) 4+1 Dual Degree Program as an incoming freshman and are admitted directly into the graduate program at the same time as your admission as an undergraduate student. Students are encouraged to reach out to your admissions counselor to discuss dual degree options.
This fully online program is ideal for students seeking public sector career placement or advancement.
What Do You Learn in a Master of Public Administration (MPA) program?
As a graduate student in SHU’s Master of Public Administration program, you’ll select one of four concentration options, allowing you to customize your graduate education and tailor coursework to your interests and professional goals.
Criminal Justice
With a focus on criminal justice, you’ll develop management skills necessary for a career in public service with government agencies, the justice system and federal, state and local law enforcement.
Emergency Management
When you focus on emergency management, you’ll increase your skills and capabilities in disaster management and preparedness at the federal, state, and local levels and in private industry.
Non-profit Management
With a concentration in non-profit management, you’ll develop managerial skills such as financial administration, strategic planning, human resources and fundraising to help nonprofits fulfill their core missions.
Self-Designed Concentration
If you have a specific career goal or set of interests, you can pursue a self-designed concentration tailored to your professional needs. In this online program, you will complete your Master of Public Administration in as little as one year full time, or study at your own pace with our part time program.
What can you do with an MPA?
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics anticipates a projected demand for both non-profit management and emergency management personnel in the years to come:
- The non-profit sector is the third largest industry in the U.S., consisting of 1.5 million organizations; in Connecticut alone, there are nearly 30,000 non-profits.
- Employment of emergency management directors is projected to grow 6 percent by 2024, with a median annual wage of $70,500.
With your Master of Public Administration degree, you’ll be prepared for a career in the fields of:
- Federal, state, and local government
- Social and community services
- Private industry
- Public safety
- Nonprofits
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