Master of Public Administration, MPA

A flexible MPA degree for the public administration job you desire

Public sector actors—from rural to metropolitan areas, nonprofits to government agencies—must have strong administrators who firmly understand public policy and the processes that lead to it. Get the education you need to be effective with a Master of Public Administration (MPA) from East Carolina University. At ECU, you’ll develop skills and techniques to implement policies and programs that successfully serve your community or organization.

Get a flexible public administration master’s degree aligned with your experience

Whether you’re a pre-professional or have relevant work experience, you’ll find ECU’s MPA program was designed for you. Two concentrations allow you to align your capabilities with our public administration master’s curriculum:

Traditional MPA: for students who have yet to gain professional experience
Executive MPA: for students with five years’ relevant work experience, including at least three in mid- to upper-level management

As an Executive Master of Public Administration student, you’ll complete your MPA degree entirely online to balance work and life while you advance your career. If pursuing the Traditional MPA, you’ll get the best of both worlds—a mix of night classes held one night a week, from 6:30-9:00, on ECU’s campus and online offerings. Attend full-time to complete your MPA degree in two years—or part-time for a more flexible timeline.

Better yet, you get this tailored education at tuition rates that are more affordable than similar programs.

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No GMAT or GRE required

U.S. News “Best Public Affairs Programs”

NASPAA accredited since 1994

15:1 student-to-faculty ratio

Night classes at ECU and online courses

Why study public administration at ECU?

ECU’s public administration program is regularly recognized at the national and state levels for high-quality education, including recent rankings by U.S. News & World Report and College Factual. Discover these benefits of completing your Master of Public Administration degree with us:

Network with public administrators

Connect with public administrators statewide through ECU’s collaboration with the North Carolina City and County Management Association, which also funds an annual scholarship.

Gain real-world experience

Complete an internship and earn credits toward your Traditional or Executive Master of Public Administration. If you currently work in a related position, you’ll forgo an internship and earn your MPA degree faster.

Offset tuition costs

Earn money to support ECU program faculty with research when you’re chosen for a graduate assistantship position. Out-of-state students can inquire about tuition waivers.

Get expert support

Interact with ECU’s public administration master’s faculty—who are committed to your academic and professional success—in small classes and when needed.

Participate in student organizations

Join ECU’s International City/County Management Association student chapter and hear public administrators speak on current topics. You can also earn membership to ECU’s chapter of the Pi Alpha Alpha public affairs and administration honor society.

Courses you will take in the Master of Public Administration program

Understand your role and challenges as a public administrator when you complete guided research and in-class activities in ECU’s MPA program courses such as:

Intergovernmental/Interagency Relations: Examine the complex interactions between agencies as they work together for the common good.
Applied Policy Analysis: Learn to create and implement public policy at all levels of government.
Leadership and Ethics in the Public Sector: Delve into leadership concepts and ethical issues facing public administrators.

Your coursework will culminate in the Master of Public Administration professional paper. With a heightened focus on rural eastern North Carolina, topics for recent papers have ranged from affordable housing to increased minority representation on boards of directors for nonprofit agencies.

Get a look at ECU’s course catalog for other fascinating topics you’ll explore.

Hear from our Master of Public Administration students

The education I received was second to none. The professors at ECU prepared me for the rigor of doctoral-level classes by giving me a strong educational foundation to build upon. The critical thinking abilities, in conjunction with the public speaking, professional presentations, statistics, and writing skills I have developed, have aided me tremendously in my doctoral program.”

– Kimberly Mack, MPA degree ’18
Executive Assistant to the President and Board of Trustees, Halifax Community College

“Learning about public administration from ECU’s MPA program has been a rewarding experience. My career goal is to be a city manager, and this program has given me the tools needed to pursue that career. The program curriculum does a really great job at touching every facet of public administration. I am confident that this program has provided an all-encompassing understanding of what a public administrator may do in any position, which will help me in achieving my professional goals.”

– Chris Rudkowski, MPA degree ’20
Budget Analyst, Maricopa County, Arizona
2nd Lt., US Army Reserve

What can you do with your public administration master’s degree?

Earn an accredited MPA degree and build real-world experience to help launch your career—or earn a promotion—in the public and nonprofit sectors.

Advanced skills to land and excel in the public administration job you want

Government agencies and nonprofit organizations at all levels actively seek ECU graduates who have advanced policy and management skills and who are critical thinkers and effective communicators. Upon completion of your Master of Public Administration degree, you’ll be prepared to address issues head on. You’ll analyze and implement policies and influence stakeholders—all for the benefit of your community or organization.

Where are Master of Public Administration graduates working?

Most ECU MPA program alumni work in North Carolina city and county public administration, and many pre-professional students secure jobs upon, if not before, graduation. Others have earned positions with state and federal agencies, including the North Carolina Department of Transportation and NASA, as well as nonprofit organizations such as the American Red Cross.

Whatever your plans for your Master of Public Administration degree, these findings by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics demonstrate the potential ahead:

The number of jobs available to social and community managers is expected to grow faster than average—at 15%—by 2030.
Only 48% of people who filled these positions in 2019 held advanced degrees, giving you an edge in the job market.

Get started on your Master of Public Administration degree

Take the next step toward earning your public administration master’s degree at East Carolina University. Use the resources below to get answers to your questions and to help you get started.

Programs related to a public administration degree

Accreditation for Master of Public Administration at ECU

ECU’s MPA program has held accreditation by the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA) since 1994, ensuring you get a top-notch education that adheres to international standards.