Master of Public Administration (MPA): Northern Kentucky University, Greater Cincinnati Region

Fuel Your Passion for Public Service

Join NKU MPA students, alumni, and faculty in serving others, strengthening communities, and leading government and nonprofit organizations! We are the only MPA program in the Northern Kentucky/Greater Cincinnati region accredited by the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA), which is the quality benchmark for graduate programs around the world. Also, we are ranked #3 for Best Public Affairs Graduate Programs in the state of Kentucky by U.S. News and World Report.

APPLY NOW

REQUEST MORE INFO

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

CURRENT STUDENTS

100% of the most recent graduates secured positions within six months of graduation

93% of alumni agreed the MPA program fulfilled expectations

100% of employer respondents are "very satisfied" or "satisfied" with MPA alumni knowledge and skills

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN

As an MPA student, you will actively engage in academic work through service learning and capstone projects that have direct impacts, such as developing emergency management plans for city governments and writing grant applications that result in funding for nonprofit organizations.

Our alumni go on to have successful and fulfilling careers that focus on serving people and improving communities in Northern Kentucky/Greater Cincinnati and beyond.

Program Contact Information

Missy Gish
MPA Coordinator

859-572-5326
mpa@nku.edu or gishm@nku.edu

MEET OUR STUDENTS AND ALUMNI

Program Features

work life balance

The MPA program is built for mature, career-oriented people. We offer small classes delivered both in-person and online on week nights and Saturdays.

network

We offer strong connections to government and nonprofit leaders as part-time faculty, guest speakers and advisory board members.

GRE Waiver

Students with an undergraduate GPA 3.0 or higher and in-career students with 5+ years in the public or related sector are not required to take the GRE for admission into the program.

scholarship

Our Diversity Scholarship is targeted at prospective students with a demonstrated commitment to enhancing the understanding and appreciation of diverse populations.

hands on opportunities

Service learning, student philanthropy and study abroad opportunities enhance your academic experience and your résumé.

program length

This 39-credit hour program will prepare students to manage and lead in government agencies, hospitals, universities and other nonprofit organizations; May be completed in 30 with credit for prior coursework.

FUEL YOUR FUTURE ... START HERE.

Video Transcript

[MUSIC]

It’s a Master's in Public Administration, and basically it focuses on managing and leading government and nonprofit organizations, or any organizations that fall in the broad umbrella of public administration.

I decided to get an MPA because I was working in the public sector for a while and I was working for a state agency, and at the agency everyone had the same expertise as I did but I noticed that there was a lack of leadership skills. So, I wanted to pursue the MPA to gain better leadership skills and kind of have the perfect blend of expertise and be able to manage in the public sector. I specifically chose NKU’s MPA program because I am local to Cincinnati and I wanted to be at a local university and it was also extremely accommodating to working a full time schedule.

NKU’s MPA program is very unique in the fact that we have small class sizes that offer opportunities to connect in close relationship with your professors and your classmates. Part of that has been very beneficial to students because students are able to work together in projects, give honest feedback throughout presentations, and provide a platform to further relationships with professors outside of the classroom.

Not only would an incoming student have the opportunity to learn and grow, but the MPA program has an awesome alumni association that’s connected, and so there are support systems that are in place to not only help you through the program but, once you finish and you’re out in your career, your chosen career, there’s opportunity to stay connected.

So, I do participate in the NKU MPA mentorship program. My mentee and I met as she was getting ready to graduate. So as she was working on her resume, starting to look for jobs, we were able to collaborate on that, share ideas, help her get a little bit more connected with some of the organizations and people that she was thinking about wanting to either volunteer or work with. We’ve just formed a great relationship that I think will continue on through both of our careers.

So, my advice for a new MPA student is that you can do this. This program is extremely accommodating to someone who works full time, it’s very flexible with both in person and online classes, so don’t be afraid to do this. You know getting your masters is a big deal but, through the MPA program, its accommodating enough that anyone can do it.