Program Overview
Gain the skills you need to succeed in public service or advance your career in nonprofit administration with the online Master of Public Administration degree from Aurora University. Through a broad-based management curriculum with specialized electives, you’ll build on previous academic and field experience as you learn to apply public administration theories to real-world situations.
Because this program was developed in partnership with community leaders and public service professionals, you can be confident you’re getting the right education for your career goals. Our faculty average over 10 years of experience in higher education and have held positions such as chief of strategic planning, organizational development consultant, director of public policy and advocacy, director of community engagement, and government relations manager.
Instructors in this program use freely available open educational resources (OER) in place of traditional textbooks when possible, helping to lower the total cost of earning your degree.
Become a leader in your community by earning your MPA online from Aurora University.
Curriculum Overview
AU’s online MPA features coursework in community relations, budgeting, public policy, and nonprofit management. All courses are taught by expert instructors with extensive experience in their fields.
Skills Gained in the Online MPA
Complete 36 credit hours to earn your MPA online from Aurora University in as little as one year. MPA degree courses are taught by expert faculty members who will prepare you with valuable new skills and expertise in:
- Budgeting
- Community relations
- Critical thinking
- Economics
- Evaluation
- Finance
- Grant writing
- Leadership
- Problem solving
- Research
Why Choose Aurora?
At Aurora University, you’ll learn from practitioner-based faculty members who are focused on teaching an industry-aligned curriculum. Our online programs are designed for working professionals and built with maximum flexibility in mind, so you’ll have the support you need to balance your studies with your busy schedule. Imagine what you can accomplish at a university that offers:
- A full suite of Career Services and Resources.
- A student-first educational experience.
- Programs accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
- The personal attention and support you expect from a small college.
Program Details
- Next Start Date:March 10, 2025
- Est. Program Length:1-2 years
- Credit Hours:36
- Course Length:8 Weeks
- Cost Per Credit:$580
Core Courses: 21 hours
- MBA6130 Economics – 3 hours
- MPA6110 Administration of Public Institutions – 3 hours
- MPA6120 Public Policy and Analysis – 3 hours
- MPA6130 Government and Community Relations – 3 hours
- MPA6140 Public Finance and Budgeting – 3 hours
- MPA6170 Applied Research, Insights, and Evaluation – 3 hours
- MPA6200 Advanced Seminar in Applied Public Administration – 3 hours
Elective Courses: 15 hours*
- MPA6350 Nonprofit Management and Leadership – 3 hours
- MPA6360 Grant Writing, Philanthropy, and Advancement – 3 hours
- MPA6450 Public Safety Administration – 3 hours
- MPA6460 Public Sector Law and Civil Liability – 3 hours
- MPA6640 Principles of Community and Economic Development – 3 hours
- MPA6810-9 Selected Topics in Public Administration – 3 hours
- MPA6940 MPA Internship – 3 hours
*Up to 6 hours may be taken in MBA courses
Student Internship Information
Note: Tuition and fees are subject to change without prior notice. Please contact the Office of Student Accounts for questions or information on current tuition, fees, room, board, and other rates.
- A completed admissions application.
- Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college and/or university (minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale*).
- Resume or curriculum vitae.
- Personal statement.
- Transcripts (official, sealed) for all prior colleges/universities.
*Applicants with undergraduate GPAs below 3.0 will be considered on a case-by-case basis and must submit a personal statement. Additional letters of recommendation and/or an interview with the program director may be required.
All AU Online students must have unrestricted access to a computer or mobile device with high-speed internet to participate in online courses. AU Online uses Brightspace to host its online classes. All students will be charged an $80 Technology Fee per semester, regardless of the number of credits taken.
Graduate-level course credit is transferable, allowing students to earn their degree faster. Graduate-level credit earned at regionally accredited institutions of higher education graded “B” or better may be transferred to Aurora University and applied toward a master’s or other post-baccalaureate programs prior to enrollment at Aurora University.
Online MPA Career Outcomes
Boost your earnings, job security, and career opportunities by earning Aurora University’s online MPA. After graduation, you’ll be qualified to pursue roles such as budget analyst, urban planner, and emergency management director—occupations that report higher-than-average salaries in Illinois.1 MPA graduates have many rewarding options when choosing a career path, including:
- Budget analyst ($90,000/year in Illinois1)
- Emergency management director ($89,400/year in Illinois1)
- Management analyst ($121,310/year in Illinois1)
- Urban planner ($91,130/year in Illinois1)
Source
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics. “May 2023 State Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates: Illinois.” April 3, 2024. Retrieved December 3, 2024, from https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_il.htm.
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