An MPA degree is the government and nonprofit equivalent of an MBA for business. Earning your Master of Public Administration degree will help you develop the leadership and management skills essential for a successful career in local, state, or national public service. The program has proudly produced graduates who now serve as esteemed state and municipal elected leaders, executive directors of nonprofit agencies, dedicated city and town managers, as well as municipal department heads. Additionally, our alumni include leaders in both state and federal agencies, along with professionals in private sector agencies that collaborate extensively with government clients.
You’ll learn how to lead employees and volunteers; navigate political systems to obtain agency support from elected officials; interact with government, nonprofit, and private partners; engage diverse populations; and more. You will also develop relationships with a diverse community of MPA faculty and students who are active in their communities, helping you build a professional network that will last throughout your career.
Available concentrations:
Criminal Justice Administration
The Master of Public Administration, Criminal Justice Administration concentration provides you with the advanced theory and practical skills necessary to confront and help resolve the complex problems associated with the American criminal justice system. This concentration offers both general and specialized courses taught by full-time and adjunct faculty in the Criminal Justice Department.
Nonprofit Management
The Master of Public Administration, Nonprofit Management concentration provides you with both theoretical and practical knowledge to manage a successful nonprofit organization. Special emphasis is given to organizational design, strategic planning, human resource concerns, marketing, and fundraising. This concentration will prepare you for leadership roles and a rewarding career in the nonprofit sector.
Public Management
The Master of Public Administration, Public Management concentration provides students with the knowledge and skills necessary for administering public agencies and programs.
Courses are taught by faculty with expertise in public management, public budgeting issues, public policy analysis, program evaluation and implementation, human resource concerns, urban planning, and administrative law. Plus, regional economic and administrative concerns are addressed in courses like “Managing Towns and Cities” and “The Regional Economy of New England.”
