Public Administration, MPA
Take your career to the next level with a Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree—and gain the skills you need to become the capable and confident leader you know you can be.
Available in hybrid for 4+1 students or entirely online, Hilbert’s 16-month MPA degree will develop and promote your leadership potential with rigorous and engaging coursework in program planning and evaluation, organizational theory and management, human resource management, finance and budgeting, values and ethics, and more. You’ll gain a deeper understanding of the complex public sector as you acquire the leadership and analytical skills employers in every industry value.
What Can You Do With a Master of Public Administration Degree?
Earning Hilbert’s Master of Public Administration degree can position you as a strong, decisive and ethical leader. In our MPA degree program, you can not only gain the research and analysis skills needed to become a discerning and data-driven decision maker, but the ethics and values to become a transformative force for good as well.
Hilbert graduates go on to lead organizations in the public and private sectors with competency and integrity, in jobs ranging from program administrator and policy manager to budget analyst, compliance officer and social/community services manager.
Master of Public Administration Degree Benefits
Your Master of Public Administration degree prepares you to make a greater impact as a leader in your chosen field. It shows employers that you are ready to take on key leadership and management roles, whether you are looking to advance in your current career or start fresh in an entirely different field. Beyond expanded job opportunities, the benefits of a Master of Public Administration degree include increased earnings potential, greater job security and the professional satisfaction that comes from taking your career to new heights!
Why Choose Hilbert for Your Master of Public Administration Degree?
Unique to Hilbert, the Master of Public Administration curriculum includes an integrated research project threaded throughout the program. Unlike most graduate programs that ask for a final semester thesis, Hilbert’s MPA degree program allows for a more thorough application of theory and research since the project starts early in the program. Your coursework will explore theory, while your research will inform your knowledge as you explore practical applications in a final capstone project. This focus on practical skills for real-world situations is the key to a Hilbert College education.
More reasons to pursue your graduate degree at Hilbert:
- An innovative curriculum with an accelerated cohort model
- Enroll in on-campus classes or study entirely online
- An experienced, multi-disciplinary faculty
- Practical experience and research opportunities
- Take two classes at a time – terms consist of one 15-week course and two 7.5-week courses
- An opportunity to develop a professional network at the local, national and international levels
Health Administration
Concentration:
Hilbert's Master of Public Administration in Health Administration program is designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary to excel in public service and healthcare management. This program offers a unique blend of academic rigor and practical application, preparing graduates for leadership roles in various healthcare settings. By combining the core curriculum of our MPA program with a focus on health administration, this program provides students with a comprehensive understanding of healthcare systems, policy, and management.
Through coursework and a hands-on research project, students develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and leadership skills. Whether you're an experienced professional seeking career advancement or a recent graduate looking to embark on a new path, Hilbert's MPA in Health Administration concentration offers the flexibility and support you need to succeed. Our accelerated, cohort-based format allows you to balance your studies with your personal and professional commitments.
MPA Curriculum
The Master of Public Administration program at Hilbert is designed to integrate theory and practice while expanding your knowledge about current events and research. Students will develop and prepare a research project throughout the curriculum and present their findings upon completion of the capstone course. Key components of the program include:
- Public policy
- Organizational management
- Values and ethics
- Strategic planning
The MPA degree curriculum consists of 36 credit hours (or 39 hours, including an optional 3-credit internship, for students who have not yet achieved full-time employment in their field). The program uses an accelerated cohort model that’s convenient for individuals who are employed full time. Students take two courses at a time and move with a cohort, creating chances to meet new colleagues and build lifelong friendships. Cohorts remain together throughout the 16-month program, starting a new course of study each term with two 7.5-week courses with one 15-week course per term.
MPA Degree Careers
A Master of Public Administration degree can help you qualify for and advance in an array of rewarding careers, including:
- Administrative services manager
- Budget analyst
- Chief executive officer
- Compliance officer
- Development coordinator
- Director of transportation
- Economic consultant
- Environmental consultant
- Health care administrator
- Human resources manager
- Logistics analyst
- Management analyst
- Operations manager
- Policy manager
- Public affairs manager
- Public works manager
- Social/community services manager
- Urban planner
MPA Degree Job Outlook
Employment of management occupations is projected to grow 8% from 2021 to 2031, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. This increase is expected to add about 883,900 new jobs to an array of fields that includes business, finance, law, health care, education, manufacturing, government, community services, public safety and more.
What Is the Typical Salary for MPA Degree Graduates?
Here are some of the careers you may pursue with your Master of Public Administration from Hilbert, along with their median salaries:
Median annual salary: $54,100**
Median annual salary: $71,650*
Median annual salary: $74,000*
Median annual salary: $99,290*
Median annual salary: $93,000*
Median annual salary: $125,780*
*Salary info based on data compiled by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
**Salary info based on data compiled by Payscale
Frequently Asked Questions
Graduates of Hilbert’s MPA degree program are qualified to pursue senior-level positions in virtually any field. Potential careers for MPA graduates include program manager, budget analyst, policy manager, social or community services manager, urban planner and more.
The median annual salary for professionals holding an MPA degree from a U.S. higher education institution was about $71,000 as of January 2023, according to Payscale.
Most students complete our 36- to 39-credit Master of Public Administration program in about 16 months studying full time.
The benefits of a public administration master’s degree are many. When you earn your MPA degree at Hilbert, you gain advanced skills and knowledge that can prepare you to make a greater impact in your organization and on the communities you serve; qualify you for career advancement, including higher salaries and leadership roles; increase your job security; and provide the professional satisfaction that comes from succeeding in a rewarding career.
Contact Us
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Nina Saladino
Hilbert College Global Director of Admissions
