MPA Curriculum

The MPA requires 40 credit hours, including:
- 15 credit hours of required core courses (5 courses) that all students complete
- 12 credit hours toward one School of Public Affairs and Administration graduate certificate (4 courses)
- 12 hours of electives tailored to the student's interests (4 courses)
- Final reflective course to finish the degree and transition into the profession (1 course)
Start in Summer, Fall, or Spring.
Complete classes at the Lawrence Campus or online.
In-person and synchronous, online courses occur one night a week, starting at 6:00 p.m.
Accelerated course options are also offered in the Summer and early Spring semesters.
Students may complete the degree in 5 semesters of full-time enrollment or complete the degree by enrolling part-time. Students may take up to 7 years to complete a master's degree at KU.

Domestic Student Application Deadlines

Fall Admission: July 1
CGSC Leavenworth Fall Admission: August 15
Spring Admission: December 1
City/County Management Fellowship / Summer Admission: February 1

International Student Application Deadlines

Fall Admission: May 1
Spring Admission: November 1

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MPA Core Courses - 5 Courses (15 credit hours)

The MPA core provides students with knowledge and skills foundational to advanced educational and professional engagement in public affairs and administration fields. They provide an important underpinning for the MPA certificates and are transferable across a range of public service professions. The MPA core course work includes the following courses:

School of Public Affairs & Administration Graduate Certificate - 4 Courses (12 credit hours)

The Graduate Certificate Programs are a way to delve into specialized areas of public administration theory and practice. They are structured to provide a condensed version of the specific skills and knowledge to advance in particular professional fields.

SPAA Graduate Certificate Programs:

Select from the following for program details.

Elective Credits - 4 Courses (12 credit hours)

These Elective Credits allow students to broaden perspective and explore other sectors of public administration. Some options for completing these credits include: