Master of Public Administration Online

Prepare to spearhead meaningful social change as a leader in public service through public and private organizations, government, and research and policy institutes.

Apply by: 3/10/25
Start class: 3/24/25 Apply Now

Program Overview

Discover the online Master of Public Administration

Equip yourself for influential roles in public service with a Master of Public Administration online degree program. This intensive NASPAA-accredited program gives you the tools to lead public, private, and nonprofit organizations toward crafting strategic visions and solving community challenges with a transformational rather than transactional approach. Gain research tools needed for gathering, analyzing, and reporting information essential for decision-making and proposing evidence-based solutions. Offered by TAMIU since 1999, the online MPA program is led by experienced, accessible, and hands-on faculty.

After graduating from this online MPA program, you will:

  • Initiate and manage cross-sector/inter-sector collaborative processes to seek solutions to problems that communities and states face
  • Engage with and empower citizens to address public problems
  • Empower and motivate employees to improve professional performance
  • Facilitate the process of crafting clear and all-inclusive strategic visions to which employees and citizens can relate to and work with to achieve a desired future for all
  • Play active roles in creating spaces in which citizens can articulate shared values and develop a collective sense of the public interest
After graduating from this online MPA program, you will:+
  • Initiate and manage cross-sector/inter-sector collaborative processes to seek solutions to problems that communities and states face
  • Engage with and empower citizens to address public problems
  • Empower and motivate employees to improve professional performance
  • Facilitate the process of crafting clear and all-inclusive strategic visions to which employees and citizens can relate to and work with to achieve a desired future for all
  • Play active roles in creating spaces in which citizens can articulate shared values and develop a collective sense of the public interest

As a graduate of this online Master of Public Administration program, you will be well-prepared for a variety of public sector roles such as:

  • County Executive
  • City Executive
  • Emergency Management Director
  • Emergency Management Manager
  • Research and Analysis Manager
  • Government Financial Manager
  • Departmental Director
  • Policy Analyst
As a graduate of this online Master of Public Administration program, you will be well-prepared for a variety of public sector roles such as:+
  • County Executive
  • City Executive
  • Emergency Management Director
  • Emergency Management Manager
  • Research and Analysis Manager
  • Government Financial Manager
  • Departmental Director
  • Policy Analyst
+

Also available:

Texas A&M International University offers a wide range of online learning options. Explore all of our professional programs.

Total Tuition $15,414*
Duration 16-20 months
Credit Hours 42

Accreditation

The Public Administration programs are accredited by the National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration (NASPAA).

Also available:

Texas A&M International University offers a wide range of online learning options. Explore all of our professional programs.

Apply Now

Need More Information?

Call 844-872-8712

Call 844-872-8712

Tuition

Pay by the course for your online master’s degree

Tuition for the TAMIU MPA degree online is affordable and can be paid by the course. All fees are included.

View additional tuition information+

In-State Tuition:

The following tuition applies only to Texas residents.

Program Per Credit Hour Per Course Per Program*
MPA $367 $ $15,414

Out-of-State Tuition:

Program Per Credit Hour Per Program*
MPA $1,030 $43,260

*Tuition subject to change.

Tuition breakdown:

Total Tuition $15,414*
Per Credit Hour $367

Calendar

Find the start date that works for you

The TAMIU online Master of Public Administration program is delivered in an online format ideal for working professionals, conveniently featuring six start dates each year. Choose the start date that is best for you.

Graduate Programs Degree Plan

View full calendar  + 

SessionProgram Start DateApplication DeadlineDocument DeadlinePayment DueLast Class Day
Spring II3/24/253/10/253/17/253/21/255/9/25
Summer I5/19/255/5/255/12/255/16/257/5/25
Summer II7/7/256/23/256/30/257/7/258/22/25

Now enrolling:

Apply Date 3/10/25
Class Starts 3/24/25

Ready to take the next steps toward earning your next degree?

Apply Now

Admissions

See the requirements for your online public administration master’s degree

You must meet the following requirements for admission into the Master of Public Administration online program.

Admission Requirements:

  • Bachelor’s degree
  • 3.0 GPA
  • No GMAT/GRE
View all admission requirements +

  • A minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 (4-point scale)
  • Satisfactory performance on the statement of purpose essay portion of the application

International Transcript Evaluation:

TAMIU does their own foreign credential evaluations. Graduate School does not require third party evaluations nor are obligated to accept the results, or GPA calculations, if an evaluation is submitted. If an applicant submits an official evaluation, the evaluation does not replace official transcripts or certificates of graduation.

Official transcripts from all institutions attended can be sent to:

Texas A&M International University
Graduate School
Senator Judith Zaffirini Student Success Center, Suite 223
5201 University Boulevard
Laredo, TX 78041
OR
Electronically to [email protected]

Former TAMIU students do not need to submit TAMIU transcripts.

For documents other than transcripts, please upload to your application portal located here. If transcripts are uploaded to the portal, you will be asked to resend all official transcripts by mail or email and will delay the application process.

Have a question? Call us at 844-872-8712.

Courses

Look through your MPA course descriptions

Curriculum for the Master of Public Administration online program is comprised of 10 core courses (30 credit hours), 3 electives (9 hours), and either a project (3 hours) or an internship (3 hours). Students must pass a comprehensive program exam after the completion of all core courses and are allowed two testing attempts. This exam is offered in Fall II and Spring II terms. Two exam preparation meetings will be scheduled to clarify the exam process and expectations.

Expand All

Students will complete 11 Core Courses and either a Project or an Internship.

10 core course with either PADM 5395 Project or PADM 4396, and 3 3CR 5000-level elective.

5301 and 5375 fixed first courses.

Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course introduces the student to the essentials of conducting social science research. Students will be introduced to the different dimensions of social research: ethics, theory, hypothesis testing, research design, sampling, measurement, and quantitative data analysis. By the end of the course students will possess the foundation to begin applying this knowledge to real world applications - in academia, government, non-profit, or private industry.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course is a broad introduction to the framework of program evaluation. It is designed to introduce students to the major concepts, approaches, methods, theories, and the processes in the field of program evaluation. In this course students will learn the primary tools and techniques of the evaluation process, as well as, the organizational and political context in which evaluators operate.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
An in-depth analysis of the constitutional and legal foundations of public administration, as well as court decision rules, precedents, and practices as they relate to public organizations.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course explores the evolution of organization theory, from classical to the modern with a main focus on public organizations. It is designed as a broad introduction to the structure and function of organizations. The primary focus is to equip students with organizational concepts and theoretical perspectives for public management.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
The study of communication challenges and strategies for public administration professionals. Compare communication demands placed on public organizations versus private corporations. Apply theories of public discourse and public service to specific cases.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Practicing ethics in government, including the philosophy of ethics, the role of ethics in public organizations, and applications of case studies to ethical problem-solving in public service as well as nonprofit organizations.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Theories of public organization, public service, and public administration are examined as they influence individual and group behaviors and decision making in public sector environment.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course examines the principles and practices of personnel administration in public bureaucracies. It includes the development of human resources management as a branch of knowledge and as a partner in the management of public organizations. Some of the key functions noted are personnel motivation, personnel recruitment and retention, bureaucratic subculture, organizational change, and political climate.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Methods, norms, and practices of public budgeting and fiscal management are studied. Course covers the politics of budgeting, principles of public finance, and the analysis of fiscal management processes, procedures, and standards.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course focuses on the public policy process in the United States, including agenda setting, policy formulation, implementation, evaluation, and termination. While the focus is on policy making at the national level, similar dynamics occur at the sub-national level. This course examines policy-making environment in the United States from a political, social, economic, and cultural context and covers selected substantive policy areas.
Duration: 10 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Individual supervision of a project paper, approved by student's advisor, to be undertaken at or near the end of student's classwork. Students must select PADM 5395 or PADM 5396.
Duration: 10 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Individual supervision of a project paper, approved by student's advisor, to be undertaken at or near the end of student's classwork. Students must select PADM 5395 or PADM 5396.

Students will complete 3 Electives (3 3CR 5000-level elective.  Electives can be from MPA certificate courses or 4 other select courses)

Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Through a fusion of best practices and nonprofit management research literature, this course provides an overview of nonprofit leadership including CEO/Executive Director management, volunteer leadership recruitment, selection, training, management, retention, including theories of motivation, leadership and ethics. It also provides a broad overview of the management of nonprofit organizations finances, financial development, legal requirements and the role of nonprofits in community and as a global phenomenon.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Methods of acquiring financial resources in nonprofit organizations are studied. The course covers relevant accounting procedures, statistical presentations of different financial resources, timeline set-up and program development, and volunteering considerations.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course presents hands-on training in grant writing and contract/grant management for nonprofit organizations. Including how to respond to grant solicitations, how prepare/present a grant/contract application and an overview of how to develop a program evaluation of grant/contract funded programs. This course includes a service learning component as students will research and produce a grant/contract proposal and application for a local nonprofit organization.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course provides hands-on-training in the development and management of a nonprofit strategic plan and strategic action plan including goal setting, development, and analysis. It will also provide an overview of budgeting, cost accounting, estimating income and expenses, financial reporting and ethical implications of managing financial resources for nonprofit organizations as they develop and implement their strategic plans. This course provides an opportunity for service learning as students will work with a local nonprofit organization to create a strategic plan that will be presented to the organizations’ executive director and board of directors.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course deals with formation of nonprofits in nations other than the United States with special emphasis on Mexico and Central/South America. It may be taken as a for-credit course or as a continuing education course for no credit.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course will cover essentials in recruiting and hiring employees, employee development and evaluating employee performance as these issues particularly relate to nonprofit organizations in order to ensure optimum performance in a nonprofit organization.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Special topics relevant to public administration. May be repeated when topic changes.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
A study of the strategic management process dealing with the analysis of the firm in its global environment and the formulation, implementation, control and evaluation of strategies. Written and oral presentations are integral components of this course. Course should be taken 9 hours prior to graduation.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course examines the effective implementation and assessment of curriculum programs in schools. It explores educational polices specific to the role of educators as curriculum leaders. This course will examine the structures that need to be in place to allow curriculum developers and leaders to work collaboratively.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
A seminar in current foundation management concepts. This course includes theoretical and applied perspectives of management. Topics will include areas such as organizational behavior, organizational theory, leadership, ethics, human resource management and other relevant management topics.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
A study of how human resources are developed within a firm. Topics include: learning and training; skills development and assessment; personnel planning; salary and benefit administration; job analysis, evaluation, design, and classification; and performance evaluation.

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