Master of Public Administration (MPA)

Ready for the next step in your career? The Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree is designed to develop and promote leadership potential. The world of nonprofit, government, healthcare, and law enforcement agencies all require individuals with sharp analytic skills, budgetary acumen and excellent human relations ability. Advantages of our MPA program include:

• Gain a more complex understanding of the public sector
• Degree completion in 18 months
• Online option offers greater flexibility for working individuals
• Potentially qualify for Public Service Loan Forgiveness
• Opportunity to develop a professional network at local, national and international levels

What Can I Do with a Degree Program in Public Administration?

Within the Master's in Public Administration program, students develop a research level necessary to set the foundation for clear data-driven decision making. The program balances research with an additional focus on the need for values and ethics in public policy. As a result, Hilbert's program is consistent with its mission. Hilbert graduates can go on to lead with a level of competency and integrity second to none in jobs such as:

With the recognition that comes with an MPA, graduates can pursue roles with a higher salary.  According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median pay for a political scientist is $122,220, while top executives in this field can earn median pay of $104,690.

Course Structure

Students take one course at a time and move with a cohort, developing colleagues and friends. Cohorts remain together throughout the 16-month program, changing a course of study every five weeks to complete 12 sessions.

The accelerated cohort model is convenient for individuals who are employed full time.

Hilbert's programs are convenient and you can choose to enroll in the on-campus classes held on Saturday from 9 am until 3:30 pm or complete the degree entirely online.

Ready to find out more about how an MPA degree can prepare you for a rewarding future in the public sector? Contact us to enroll today!

Why Should I Pursue a Master’s in Public Administration at Hilbert?

Unique to Hilbert, the MPA curriculum includes an integrated research project threaded throughout the program. Unlike most graduate programs that ask for a final semester thesis, the Hilbert program allows for a more thorough application of theory and research since the project starts early in the program. As students are challenged by the various coursework along the way, the research acts as a foundation upon which to ground and challenge theory to a practical application, culminating in a final capstone major project. Practical skills for real-world situations—this is the key to a Hilbert College education, online or on-campus.