Public Administration
Master's
The Online Master of Public Administration (MPA) is a management and leadership degree for those seeking to serve the public good. Courses are offered 100% online and prepare students to innovate in a diverse range of fields.
Program overview
Serving the public good
The Master of Public Administration program has been training leaders in the public and nonprofit sectors since 1969. You’ll gain skills in policy analysis, program evaluation, research methods, budgeting and human resources, organizational management and leadership, and the interplay between ethics and accountability in a diverse society.
Throughout the program, you’ll gain career-oriented experience through internships, small group projects, and other interactions with professionals.
Northeastern MPA graduates engage in experiences designed to help them move into a wide array of public and nonprofit sector positions at the local, state, national, and international levels.
The Master of Public Administration program has been training leaders in the public and nonprofit sectors since 1969. You’ll gain skills in policy analysis, program evaluation, research methods, budgeting and human resources, organizational management and leadership, and the interplay between ethics and accountability in a diverse society.
Throughout the program, you’ll gain career-oriented experience through internships, small group projects, and other interactions with professionals.
Northeastern MPA graduates engage in experiences designed to help them move into a wide array of public and nonprofit sector positions at the local, state, national, and international levels.
The MPA program at Northeastern University is accredited by the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA)
Current students: 106
Current faculty teaching: 24
Benefits:
- Get hands-on experience through capstone projects, on-campus research labs and centers, and real-world work opportunities.
- Participate in a one-semester exchange program with the University of Amsterdam’s Urban Studies Research master’s program.
- Conduct research outside the classroom at The Dukakis Center for Urban and Regional Policy, Resilient Cities Lab, Boston Area Research Initiative, and The Social Impact Lab.
- Earn a graduate certificate at no additional cost in these focus areas: nonprofit sector, public policy analysis, urban analytics, and urban studies.
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 in the nonprofit sector, 38% in the public sector, and 21% in the private sector.
Recent internship and co-op placements:
- ArxEd, Cambridge, MA
- BioNTech, Talent acquisition, Cambridge, MA
- Coalition for Social Justice, Multiple cities, MA
- GirlsLEAP, Dorchester, MA
- Main Street Alliance, Alexandria, VA
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Energy Initiative, Cambridge, MA
- Massachusetts State Senate, Office of Sal DeDimenico, Boston, MA
- TurnUp Activism, Cambridge, MA
- U.S. Defense Logistics Agency, Richmond, VA
Placement of Graduates: 100%
Admissions
Apply to the program
A graduate degree or certificate from Northeastern can accelerate your career through rigorous academic coursework and real-world professional experience in your area of interest. Apply to take your career to the next level.
A graduate degree or certificate from Northeastern can accelerate your career through rigorous academic coursework and real-world professional experience in your area of interest. Apply to take your career to the next level.
Admissions decisions are made on a rolling basis.
Fall Term
| Final deadline for international applicants: | June 15 |
| Final deadline for domestic applicants: | August 15 |
| Deadline for Special Student applicants (non-international only): | August 25 |
Spring Term
| Deadline for international applicants: | October 1 |
| Deadline for domestic applicants: | December 15 |
| Deadline for Special Student applicants (non-international only): | December 15 |
Summer 1 Term
| Domestic applicants only : | April 15 |
Summer 2 Term
| Domestic applicants only: | June 15 |
Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree in any subject area from a regionally accredited institution and a 3.0 GPA.
Completed online application
Application fee: U.S. $100 (application fee waived for MPP Arlington campus applicants only)
Personal statement: One to two pages identifying your educational goals and expectations from the program
Unofficial transcripts from all institutions attended
Three letters of recommendation. Choose individuals with either academic or professional knowledge of your capabilities, such as a faculty member, current employer, or mentor.
Resumé
Evidence of English proficiency for international applicants
Applicants are not required to submit GRE scores.
Program objectives
Prepare for success
The program offers a management and leadership degree for those seeking to serve the public good. It equips its students with skills in policy analysis, program evaluation, research methods, and written and verbal communications.
Professors integrate case studies, small group exercises, and applied projects into the classroom to add a real-world perspective to the coursework.
Students collaborate with faculty in class and at our research centers-The Kitty and Michael Dukakis Center for Urban and Regional Policy, The Social Impact Lab, and the Boston Area Research Initiative.
Complete a “Capstone in Public Policy and Urban Affairs” in partnership with local, state, or federal agencies or nonprofit institutions to assess a problem, offer policy analysis, and recommend solutions.
Earn a graduate certificate on the way to your degree, demonstrating specialized training in the nonprofit sector, urban analytics, urban studies, or public policy analysis.
Connect with us
Want more information?
We’re here to answer your questions about this program, the application process, and more. Complete the form below to receive additional program details and speak with a member of our enrollment team.
Watch and learn
Degree building
Stack your certificate
Earning a graduate certificate is a fast and affordable way to acquire specialized skills while building toward your master’s degree. Upon completion of this certificate program, you may be able to apply your credits to an eligible master’s program, saving time and money on your degree.
Some of the eligible certificate programs for this master’s include:
- Graduate Certificate in Computational Social Science
- Graduate Certificate in Information Ethics
- Graduate Certificate in Resilience Studies
- Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Sector, Philanthropy, and Social Change
- Graduate Certificate in Public Policy Analysis
- Graduate Certificate in Urban Analytics
- Graduate Certificate in Urban Studies
Occupations
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Cost of attendance
Tuition and financial aid
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$42,120 - $44,226Tuition in USD
Estimated Total Tuition
This is an estimate based on the tuition rates for Academic Year 2025-2026 and does not include any fees or other expenses. Some courses and labs have tuition rates that may increase or decrease total tuition. Tuition and fees are subject to revision by the president and Board of Trustees at any time. Select programs at select campuses offer additional scholarships of up to 25% off the listed price for domestic students studying on campus. For more detailed information, please visit Student Financial Services.
For students interested in pursuing financial assistance or educational loans, additional educational costs, known as Cost of Attendance (COA) components, can be included in the calculation of aid and loan eligibility. Components may include food, housing, books, course materials, supplies, equipment, transportation, personal expenses, and the cost of obtaining a first professional licensure. You can find comprehensive details on the Student Financial Services website. Please keep in mind that COA can vary significantly depending on academic program, enrollment intensity, and individual circumstances.
There are many ways to pay for your education, including scholarships, financial aid, and more. Connect with a financial counselor to learn about your options and make your dream a reality.
Visit tuition & financial aidTotal Cost of Attendance: This figure reflects the cost-per-credit pricing for the current academic year. The total cost of attendance is dependent on the pace at which students complete the program. Please visit the Student Financial Services site for a more detailed breakdown of pricing per credit and other program fees.
- Tuition: $1,020 per credit hour; $40,800 total plus fees
- Courses taken at Northeastern University outside of the College of Social Sciences and Humanities are subject to different tuition rates.
- The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) must be completed to be considered for all available federal funding.
- All eligible applicants admitted to the CSSH master’s programs are considered for tuition scholarships. Assistantships are not offered
Your education, your way
Northeastern's online classes give you the same top-tier education you'd get in person, on a schedule that works for your lifestyle and career needs. They offer a range of videos, interactives, breakout sessions, and experience-focused learning opportunities to immerse you in the material and build community. You'll graduate with the same degree as your in-person peers.
#8
Northeastern's national ranking for Most Innovative Schools
(U.S. News & World Report, 2024)
53.5%
Percent of graduate students in the U.S. enrolled in online courses
(NCES, 2022)
97%
Percent of students in the U.S. who recommend online education
(BestColleges, 2024)