Master of Public Administration

Public Administration
Mission Statement & Student Learning Objectives
Faculty & Staff
Admission Process
MPA Professional Advisory Council (MPAPAC)
Resources
Frequently Asked Questions

What is an MPA?

Are you interested in graduate school and contributing to your community in a public-serving organization?

Public administration students learn leadership, government operations and public policy formulation/analysis for many managerial positions across local, state and federal government, non-profit organizations, tribes, educational institutions, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) or for-profit businesses. Graduates from this degree include chief executives, policy directors, project managers, advocates, consultants and executive directors.

An understanding of government operations and public policy formulation is important for many managerial positions, whether they are in government, non-profit organizations or for-profit businesses. The behavior of governmental agencies and the public policies they implement affect all of us.

From licensing to environmental regulations, governmental institutions make key decisions affecting society. From social services to public roads, the government authorizes, funds and delivers goods and services that are vital to the health of a community. Those who want to get ahead need to be able to influence, or at least anticipate, governmental actions. The Master of Public Administration degree is designed to prepare you for leadership roles in your organizations and communities.

Curriculum & RequirementsContact Us Admission Requirements

EWU Master of Public Administration

Are you interested in public service?

Want to earn a graduate degree and serve your community?

The MPA or Masters of Public Administration, is a nationally accredited graduate degree for public-serving organizations such as governments, tribes, nonprofit organizations, NGOs, policy centers, and philanthropic institutions.

Like an MBA for the public sector, the MPA program is focused on developing students skills regarding policy, management, and leadership. And with our rolling admissions students can enroll asap!

Admissions Requirements 

  • Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited university    
  • A cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 from a regionally accredited, bachelor’s or master’s degree-bearing institution.
    Note: Applicants with a GPA lower than 3.0 may be admitted as a 10% exception. Check the Graduate Student Policy for scholarly ability exception policies.

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What You'll Learn

The following information comes from the official EWU catalog, which outlines all degree requirements and serves as the guide to earning a degree. Courses are designed to provide a well-rounded and versatile degree, covering a wide range of subject areas.

Public Administration, Master of Public Administration (MPA)

Masters in Public Administration students learn leadership, government operations, and public policy formulation and analysis, which prepares them for managerial positions in local, state, or federal government; non-profit, tribal, or educational institutions, and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) or for-profit businesses. Graduates from this degree include chief executives, policy directors, project managers, advocates, consultants and executive directors.

Note: PADM 501 and PADM 503 should be taken the 1st or 2nd quarter in the program. All pre-service students without substantial work experience in public administration must enroll in PADM 603 for at least 5 credits.  

Required Core
PADM 501PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION RESEARCH APPROACHES5
PADM 503FOUNDATIONS OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION5
PADM 507PUBLIC POLICY ANALYSIS5
PADM 509PUBLIC PERSONNEL ADMINISTRATION5
PADM 511PUBLIC ORGANIZATIONAL THEORY AND LEADERSHIP5
PADM 513PUBLIC PLANNING AND BUDGETING5
PADM 515ADMINISTRATIVE LAW AND REGULATION5
PADM 601MPA CAPSTONE & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT5
Required Elective Options–courses that may be taken toward include, but are not limited to the following15
PUBLIC FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT
NETWORKED GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC SECTOR GRANTS-WRITING
INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS
METROPOLITAN GOVERNANCE AND ADMINISTRATION
COMPARATIVE PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION
PUBLIC LEADERSHIP AND ETHICS
EXPERIMENTAL COURSE
SEMINAR IN PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION
INDEPENDENT STUDY
THESIS RESEARCH SEMINAR
INTERNSHIP IN PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION
ADVANCED COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
PLANNING METHODS II: POPULATION AND ECONOMY
GIS FOR URBAN AND REGIONAL ANALYSIS
Total Credits55

Sample Courses

PADM 513. PUBLIC PLANNING AND BUDGETING. 5 Credits.

Pre-requisites: graduate standing or consent of the instructor.
An examination of budget process emphasizing bureaucratic politics, policy issues, alternative methods, and strategic planning techniques.

Catalog Listing

PLAN 502. ADVANCED COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT. 5 Credits.

A survey of the structure and process of community development. Emphasis is on the role of planners and community development specialists as agents for change in the context of community growth. Features seminars and exercises in community problem solving, needs assessment, small group theory, and process facilitation.

Catalog Listing

PADM 531. INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS. 5 Credits.

Pre-requisites: graduate standing or consent of the instructor.
Explores the interdependence and linkages between governmental agencies explored from the perspectives of the legal/regulatory, fund raising/fund transfer and administrative/cooperative elements in our federal system.

Catalog Listing

Career Possibilities

  • City or County Manager
  • Public Policy Analyst
  • Public Affairs Director
  • Government Program Director
  • State or Federal Agency Administrator
  • Legislative Assistant
  • Urban Development Manager
  • Community Relations Director

  • Executive Director 
  • Program Manager 
  • Social Services Administrator
  • Fundraising Strategist
  • Grant Manager
  • Nonprofit Operations Director
  • Advocacy Director 
  • Nonprofit Policy Analyst

  • Emergency Management Director
  • Disaster Relief Coordinator
  • Homeland Security Specialist
  • Public Safety Consultant
  • Crisis Management Director
  • Fire or Police Department Administrator
  • Emergency Response Specialist
  • Public Health Emergency Planner

  • Healthcare Administrator 
  • Public Health Program Director
  • Healthcare Policy Analyst
  • Public Health Advocate
  • Community Health Coordinator
  • Health and Human Services Director
  • Public Health Data Analyst

  • Urban Planner
  • Regional Planning Manager
  • Zoning and Land Use Director
  • Housing Development Manager
  • Transportation Planning Coordinator
  • Environmental Planning Consultant
  • Municipal Infrastructure Manager
  • Community Engagement Specialist

  • School District Administrator
  • Director of Student Services
  • Higher Education Program Manager
  • University/College Admissions Director
  • K-12 Education Policy Advisor
  • Director of Institutional Research
  • Education Compliance Specialist

  • Public Information Officer
  • Press Secretary 
  • Communications Director 
  • Media Relations Manager
  • Social Media Manager 
  • Public Affairs Consultant
  • Community Outreach Coordinator
  • Crisis Communications Specialist

  • Political Campaign Manager
  • Political Consultant
  • Government Relations Specialist
  • Public Opinion Analyst
  • Campaign Finance Director
  • Political Data Analyst
  • Voter Engagement Director

  • Budget Director 
  • Public Finance Manager
  • Fiscal Policy Analyst
  • Government Budget Analyst
  • Procurement Director
  • Economic Development Specialist
  • Revenue and Tax Policy Analyst

  • Foreign Service Officer
  • International Program Manager
  • Global Policy Advisor
  • International Development Director
  • International Nonprofit Manager
  • Humanitarian Program Director

  • Environmental Policy Director
  • Sustainability Manager 
  • Renewable Energy Program Director
  • Climate Change Policy Advisor
  • Environmental Compliance Officer
  • Green Building and Urban Sustainability Manager
  • Environmental Program Manager 
  • Policy Analyst

  • Public Policy Researcher
  • Data Analyst 
  • Program Evaluation Specialist
  • Government Research Consultant
  • Social Research Specialist
  • Demographic Analyst 
  • Data Scientist 

  • Human Resources Director 
  • Organizational Development Consultant
  • Labor Relations Specialist
  • Public Sector Employee Relations Director
  • Workforce Planning Specialist
  • Employee Engagement Coordinator
  • Training and Development Manager

  • Regulatory Affairs Manager
  • Compliance Director 
  • Contract Administrator 
  • Public Law Specialist
  • Risk Management Consultant
  • Legal Counsel 
  • Government Ethics Officer

  • Public Sector IT Director
  • Digital Strategy Consultant 
  • Technology Policy Analyst
  • Cybersecurity Policy Advisor
  • Digital Transformation Specialist 
  • Data Privacy Consultant 
  • Technology Solutions Consultant

A Master of Public Administration (MPA) prepares you to lead, manage, and make an impact in government, nonprofit organizations, and the private sector.

Through a curriculum grounded in real-world application, you’ll gain essential skills in policy analysis, program evaluation, public finance, and organizational management.

You’ll graduate well-prepared to lead complex public systems and to create, implement, and assess policies that address societal issues.

With a strong focus on ethical decision-making, public policy, strategic planning, and effective leadership, an MPA opens doors to high-level roles in public-serving organizations.

Explore the various MPA career paths:

Contact Us

For more information, please contact:

Courtney Jensen, PhD

Associate Professor; MPA Director
Master of Public Administration (MPA) Program
Catalyst #425
509.828.1231