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Indiana University Online

Public Affairs, M.P.A.

Earn one of the most versatile and valuable degrees through IU’s top-ranked O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs. A Master of Public Affairs degree sets you up for success in a wide range of public, nonprofit, and private industries. Become a leader in your field and make a difference in the world—100% online.

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Course Delivery: 100% Online

Total Credits: 48

In-State Tuition Per Credit: $715.41

Out-of-State Tuition Per Credit: $1460.16

Cost of attendance may vary by campus. View the total cost calculator

Degree Overview

The Master of Public Affairs prepares you to take on a leadership role in your community and influence the policy that shapes our neighborhoods, cities, and country. Courses address universal topics of social equity, climate change, ethical responsibilities, racial injustice, and diversity. Through these courses, you’ll learn leadership-focused, applicable skills needed to put knowledge into action.

You’ll graduate with an Indiana University degree respected by employers worldwide—and you can work on yours anytime and anywhere. Plus, you’ll enjoy personalized support services throughout your academic journey.

And the benefits start long before graduation. More than half of IU Online students advance in their careers before they complete their certificate.

I started O’Neill’s IU Online M.P.A. while on active duty because it’s highly ranked and very flexible. The M.P.A. program allowed me to work with professors and use academic research to look into cities like Terre Haute and see where we could go. Conversations about how to proactively look at infrastructure, utilities, business development, race and gender equality all started in the M.P.A. program.

Brandon Sakbun Mayor of Terre Haute, Indiana

To be accepted to this program, you must have a bachelor's degree
To apply to this program:

Applications require:

  • $70 application fee
  • Three references
  • Unofficial transcripts
  • Resume or CV
  • Personal Statement
    • Discuss what leading for the greater good means to you. Describe your passion, and how an O’Neill degree will help you to make your passion actionable.

International applicants will be required to submit English proficiency scores (IELTS or TOEFL)

GRE and GMAT scores are optional for admission to an O'Neill Online Program

Your IU Online M.P.A. prepares you to work in the public, private, or nonprofit sector in such careers as:

  • Public policy director 
  • Public policy researcher
  • Community service manager
  • Public relations specialist
  • Civil service administrator
  • Local government officer
  • City manager
  • Housing specialist

To graduate with the M.P.A., you must complete 48 credit hours.

Requirements are broken down as follows:

  • Core courses
    • 10 courses, 24 credit hours
  • Focus areas and electives
    • 5 courses, 15 credit hours
  • Experiential component options
    • Complete an approved internship
    • Receive credit for prior professional experience or volunteer service
    • Complete an independent or group research project

These courses represent a sampling of core courses. A full course plan will be crafted upon program admittance.

The O’Neill Online M.P.A. curriculum begins with 10 required core courses (24 credits)—your foundation to move up in the public affairs field:

Core courses:

  • Managing and Leading Public Affairs (3 credits)
  • Social Equity and Justice (1.5 credits)
  • Designing and Managing Complex Projects (1.5 credits)
  • Statistical Analysis for Effective Decision Making (3 credits)
  • Evidence-Based Decision Making (1.5 credits)
  • Public Management Economics (3 credits)
  • Rights and Responsibilities: How Law Shapes Public Affairs (1.5 credits)
  • Public Policy Process (3 credits)*
  • Comparative and International Policy Process (3 credits)*
  • Public Finance and Budgeting (3 credits)
  • Capstone (3 credits)

Focus Area (15 credit hours):

Pick one:
  • Public Management
  • Nonprofit Management
  • Policy Analysis

Electives (9 credit hours):

Many electives are offered. Sample electives include:

  • Financial Management for Nonprofit Orgs
  • Government Financial Accounting and reporting
  • Seminar Revenue and Administration
  • Health Policy
  • Public Management Information Systems
  • Benefit Cost Analysis
  • Global Security in the 21st Century
  • Global Governance in the 21st Century
  • Benefit Cost Analysis

*Up to 9 hours may be credited for prior professional experience or volunteer service

Find course descriptions with our Search Schedule of Classes/Courses tool.

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