Public Administration

Unique Features

Accreditation Description

The MPA program at Northeastern University is accredited by the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA), the membership association of graduate programs in public administration, public policy, public affairs, and public and nonprofit management.

Program Objectives

The MPA program is directed toward developing the analytical, conceptual, and practical competencies required for successful careers in public administration. The ultimate goal is to prepare students to be effective in a dynamic and increasingly diverse professional environment. This includes assisting students in every possible way to secure internships, post-graduate employment, and overall career advancement.

Career Outlook

Our MPA graduates are empowered to make a difference across disciplines and around the world. They leave Northeastern with the theoretical and fundamental understanding needed to transition into their careers and to immediately participate in and contribute to the policy process in their chosen field. Our graduates go on to careers as town administrators, management analysts, research analysts, and program directors. A recent survey of MPA alumni concluded that 24% of recent graduates are working the nonprofit sector, 38% in the public sector, and 21% in the private sector.

Learn more about career outcomes with an MPA.

Why Study in Arlington? 

• Over 9,000 Northeastern alumni and family live and work in the National Capital Region. 
• Students here benefit from the small-campus setting: smaller class sizes, direct access to professors, and strong connections with their cohort.
• Programs are structured to support building internship placements (co-ops) into your course of study, along with other integrated industry-focused coursework to build a strong portfolio.
• Located in the Arlington Tower, our brand-new facility has a modern and open design with ample student space for classes, socializing, and studying. 

About the Campus

Northeastern aligns education and research with global and regional needs. In Arlington—a hub of technical innovation, security, defense, and policy—we partner with government, industry, and nonprofits to prepare learners for leadership in jobs of the future.

We’re centrally located in the heart of the National Capital Region in Rosslyn, one of Arlington County’s most vibrant neighborhoods, at 17th Street North in the Arlington Tower. Our campus space features state-of-the-art flexible learning spaces and areas to collaborate, study, network with peers or employers, and host or attend community events. Additionally, the building includes a rooftop gathering space with stunning views of Arlington, VA, and Washington, DC. The campus is also home to the Kostas Research Institute for Homeland Security.