Master of Public Administration - Local Government Management
About the Program
Are you ready to advance your career in local government? Our Master of Public Administration degree program will prepare you to excel. It delivers our fully accredited curriculum in a convenient online format. You'll be learning from one of the best: U.S. News & World Report ranked our M.P.A. program among the top five in the nation in the field of local government management.
Our online program is led by the same award-winning M.P.A. faculty members who teach in NIU classrooms. It’s easy to make the program work with your schedule. You complete the coursework on your own time, at your own pace. By taking two courses each semester, you can obtain your master's degree in less than three years. You’ll also build your professional network and connect with top scholars.
Program Mode of Delivery
The program is 100% online.
Curriculum
You'll take classes exclusively in the topic of local government management such as:
PSPA 630 - Local and Metropolitan Government
PSPA 632 - Local Government Administration
PSPA 635 - Local Economic Development Policy
PSPA 650 - Leadership in Public Sector Organizations
Information about specific course requirements can be found in the NIU course catalog.
Applying to the Program
To apply to the online MPA program, you must have at least two years of employment in local government, a minimum of a 3.0 GPA in your undergraduate studies, at least one undergraduate course in U.S. government and an undergraduate course in mathematics or statistics.
Start your application now with the NIU Graduate School.
Faculty
- Jaehee Jong, Ph.D., Assistant Professor
- Julie Langer, Ph.D., Assistant Professor
- Gregory Kuhn, Ph.D., Instructor
- Michael Peddle, Ph.D., Associate Professor
- Brian Richard, Ph.D., Instructor
- Eunju Rho, Ph.D., Assistant Professor
- Alicia Schatteman, Ph.D., Associate Professor
- Thomas Skuzinski, Ph.D., Associate Professor
- Kurt Thurmaier, Ph.D., Distinguished Engagement Professor and Chair
- Donald Weiss, M.P.A., Instructor
Why NIU Online?
We know you have responsibilities and commitments. It's just easier if you're able to take classes where you are without the commute. The good news is that with NIU, you're not alone. Your classmates and instructors are available via the same technology that helps deliver your classes. In our classrooms or in your living room, we want you to succeed academically because your future is our focus.
Program Type: Online master's degree
College: School of Public and Global Affairs, Department of Public Administration
Credits Required: 39 credits
Tuition per Credit: $595.00 (Learn more about tuition and fees)
Application Deadlines
For applicants residing in the U.S.
| Term | Preferred Deadline |
|---|---|
| Spring | December 1 |
| Fall | July 15 |
For international applicants
| Term | Preferred Deadline |
|---|---|
| Spring | October 1 |
| Fall | May 1 |