Master of Public Administration (MPA)

The Master of Public Administration is being taught out and is no longer accepting applications as of fall 2025.

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.

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.

First Responder Discount

Sacred Heart University offers a 50% tuition discount for first responders throughout the tri-state area who enroll in the program.

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.

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 4% by 2033, with a median annual wage of $86,130.

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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