College of Social Sciences and Humanities

Networked for Success. Networked for Industry. Networked for Life.

MASTER OF

PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION

“The public and nonprofit worlds need individuals who can

lead and manage at the same time—who can inspire, build, persuade, and implement. These

are the skills we help our students acquire in the

MPA program.”

—Professor Michael S. Dukakis, Former Governor

of Massachusetts and Presidential Nominee

THE PROGRAM

MASTER OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION

Northeastern’s Master of Public Administration program has been forming

leaders in the public and nonprofit sectors since 1969. Our students come from

a wide range of industries, but are united by a common commitment to public

service. The program provides students with in-depth skills in budgeting and

human resources, organizational management and leadership, and norms of

ethics and accountability. The program’s unique, interdisciplinary, and customizable

curriculum creates capable managers and effective leaders, and allows students

to prepare to innovate in a diverse range of fields.

Master of Public Administration students have access to the wider community

of Northeastern’s College of Social Sciences and Humanities and the School

of Public Policy and Urban Affairs, adding dimension to their experience and

broadening opportunities for interdisciplinary work. Students also have the ability

to participate in applied research with government and community partners,

create social change, and address the emerging challenges affecting the

quality of life in cities through several on-campus research labs and centers—

The Dukakis Center for Urban and Regional Policy, The Resilient Cities Lab,

and The Social Impact Lab.

THE EXPERIENCE

The Northeastern Network

The Northeastern University network spans the globe, and includes over 3,000

employer partners and more than 200,000 alumni. Our MPA has a particularly strong

alumni base, giving students ample opportunities to connect through networking

receptions, career panels, and much more. MPA students from around the world also

have access to all of our campus resources, including our research library, career

services, and various conferences and presentations. Whatever their location, all of

Northeastern’s students graduate prepared and Networked for Life.

The Faculty

Northeastern’s Master of Public Administration program is taught by respected faculty

who are also senior leaders in fields of public service. They bring their extensive experience

to the classroom, giving students firsthand knowledge of current industry projects and best

practices. Faculty advisers think cohesively about each student’s pathway, ensuring that

your MPA curriculum matches your individual passions and career goals. These dedicated

faculty members will assure that your education is rigorous, current, and relevant.

The Capstone and Internship Experiences

The capstone and internship experiences allow students to apply what they have

learned, ensuring that graduates are equipped with the tools and skills to thrive in the

public and nonprofit sectors. All students complete a Capstone project, working with

real clients on challenging policy and management problems. Students with less than

one year of related full-time work experience also complete a 300-hour internship for

academic credit, which offers experience in planning, research, policy development, and

other administrative aspects in a public or nonprofit organization.

THE OPPORTUNITY

The pressing challenges in the current public and nonprofit sectors are creating

significant demand for those with effective analytical, leadership, and managerial

skills who also have a passion for serving the public good. Northeastern’s Master of

Public Administration prepares students to develop these skills and to innovate in the

public and nonprofit sectors. Northeastern’s global network gives students access

to numerous resources that enhance the academic and professional experience,

including alumni connections and several top-ranked research centers right on campus.

Our Master of Public Administration graduates are empowered to make a difference

across disciplines and around the world. Students leave Northeastern with the

theoretical and fundamental understanding needed to transition into their careers

and also to immediately participate in and contribute to the policy process in their

chosen public or nonprofit field.

“ Northeastern truly prepared me for my career. I gained a deep understanding for what it would be like to work for a municipal government, and I was still able to work while I was in the program. The access to faculty was excellent and allowed me to tailor my degree to my own interests.”

—Austin Faison, MPA

THE OPTIONS

Three Outstanding Cities

The Master of Public Administration is offered in three vibrant cities which boast

opportunities that are perfectly in line with the program.

Boston is the home of Northeastern’s main campus, a city known as a global hub for

higher learning and service. Boston’s MPA is offered in a hybrid or on-campus format,

with courses scheduled after 5 p.m. to accommodate working professionals.

Charlotte is home to one of Northeastern’s graduate campuses, and the city is at the

center of global business. Charlotte’s MPA is offered in a hybrid format.

Seattle is Northeastern’s West Coast campus for graduate studies, a city with strong

ties to innovation. Seattle’s MPA is offered in a hybrid format.

A Virtual Campus

Our MPA is also available 100-percent online, allowing students from around the world

to take advantage of our challenging classes and expert faculty. This flexible option is

based on the same vibrant curriculum as our hybrid and on-campus versions.

One Innovative University

Whichever option you choose, Northeastern’s Master of Public Administration

delivers the same rigorous academics, experienced faculty, cutting-edge research

opportunities, and industry experience. With the support of our global network of

employer partners, connected alumni, and dedicated faculty, the program enables

students to successfully build their careers while maintaining their lives.

Required Core Courses Budgeting and Financial Management

Economic Analysis and Institutions

Institutional Leadership and the Public Manager

Organizational Theory and Management

Principles of Public Administration

Public Personnel Administration

Quantitative Techniques

Techniques of Policy Analysis

Capstone ExperienceCapstone Project

Internship300-Hour Internship in the Field

Sample Elective CoursesAdministrative Ethics and Public Management

Functions and Techniques of Public Management

The Nonprofit Sector in Civil Society

Problems in Metropolitan Policymaking

Program Evaluation

Graduate Certificate OptionsData Science

Nonprofit Sector, Philanthropy and Social Change

Public Policy Analysis

Urban Informatics

Urban Studies

THE CURRICULUM

An Interdisciplinary Curriculum

Northeastern’s Master of Public Administration is accredited by the Network of

Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA) and is dedicated

to helping students develop the unique skills they need to become leaders in

the public and nonprofit sectors. Students gain a solid set of managerial and

leadership skills through the required core, and are able to customize their

elective choices to match their personal career goals. Students with special areas

of interest can also choose electives that will earn them an additional certificate

in a related subject area at no additional cost.

THE NEXT STEP

Apply

If you’re ready to make a difference in your life—and the world—

apply to Northeastern’s Master of Public Administration.

To access our online application, go to northeastern.edu/mpa

Application Requirements

To apply to the program, you must have:

> A bachelor’s degree with a GPA of 3.0 or higher

To complete the application process, you must submit:

> Unofficial transcripts from all previous undergraduate and graduate institutions

> A personal statement

> Three letters of recommendation

> A resumé

> International applicants must also provide proof of English language proficiency

For more information, please contact:

Thomas J. Vicino, PhDDirector, MPA Programgraduateadmissions@neu.edu

northeastern.edu/mpa

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