Public Management MPA Online
Qualify for executive positions in civic organizations when you build the expertise to critically evaluate information and provide an evidence-based perspective. Learn methods for the ethical management of people, money, resources and programs.
Program Overview
Give back to your community with the online Master of Public Administration program
Prepare for a high-level public sector career with A-State’s online Master of Public Administration Public Management program. Learn crucial techniques for ethical operations, strategic planning, human resources practices, political analysis and public finance. You will be able to utilize your acquired skillset in your current position or during an optional hands-on internship experience.
Our industry-expert faculty will provide you with the knowledge needed to advance in a wide array of public administration roles, such as law enforcement; fire department operations; or federal, state or local government. During your capstone course, you will identify a career-relevant challenge and design a modern solution. Our curriculum balances academic concepts with real-world experience, preparing you to face modern industry challenges.
Within the MPA – Public Management, you will:
- Develop dispositions, knowledge and skills for rigorous problem analyses and successful collaborations that lead to comprehensive solutions
- Build communities and social infrastructures through the use of clear communication and ethical and effective management techniques
- Integrate theory and practice through authentic, performance-based field activities
- Examine administrative structures and patterns of behavior in public sector organizations
- Develop a theoretical and technical framework for understanding the fundamentals of policy analysis and evaluation and political processes
- Gain an understanding of administrative methods associated with governmental revenues, expenditures and fiscal control of public organizations
- Develop values that will enable you to become an ethical and effective leader entrusted with public service
- Gain fiscal management skills essential to public administration
- Learn to critically analyze policy and gain an understanding of how to navigate regulatory processes
- Develop dispositions, knowledge and skills for rigorous problem analyses and successful collaborations that lead to comprehensive solutions
- Build communities and social infrastructures through the use of clear communication and ethical and effective management techniques
- Integrate theory and practice through authentic, performance-based field activities
- Examine administrative structures and patterns of behavior in public sector organizations
- Develop a theoretical and technical framework for understanding the fundamentals of policy analysis and evaluation and political processes
- Gain an understanding of administrative methods associated with governmental revenues, expenditures and fiscal control of public organizations
- Develop values that will enable you to become an ethical and effective leader entrusted with public service
- Gain fiscal management skills essential to public administration
- Learn to critically analyze policy and gain an understanding of how to navigate regulatory processes
As a graduate, you will be prepared for various leadership roles in the public sector, including:
- Development Director
- Police Chief
- Fire Chief
- Human Resources Manager
- City Manager
- Manager, Research and Analysis
- Director of Personnel
- Departmental Director
- Policy Analyst
- Development Director
- Police Chief
- Fire Chief
- Human Resources Manager
- City Manager
- Manager, Research and Analysis
- Director of Personnel
- Departmental Director
- Policy Analyst
Additional documents
MPA Guide Online Edition (.PDF)
State Program Approvals (.PDF)
Also available:
A-State offers a variety of graduate programs in a convenient online format. Explore our full range of online graduate programs.
Accreditation
Created by working professionals seeking to give back to their community, the Arkansas State University MPA program is fully accredited through the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA).
Tuition
Find out how and when to pay your tuition
Our MPA online program offers the same affordable tuition to in-state and out-of-state students. All fees are included. Tuition may be subject to change on a yearly basis.
Tuition breakdown:
Calendar
Important dates for our students
Our MPA online program is designed to be flexible and convenient for working professionals, with accelerated coursework and multiple start dates a year.
| Term | Program Start Date | Application Deadline | Document Deadline | Registration Deadline | Payment Due | Last Class Day |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring 1 | 1/12/26 | 12/15/25 | 12/15/25 | 1/8/26 | 1/9/26 | 2/27/26 |
| Spring 2 | 3/9/26 | 2/23/26 | 2/23/26 | 3/5/26 | 3/6/26 | 5/1/26 |
Now enrolling:
Have questions or need more information about A‑State online programs?
Ready to take the next step toward earning your degree online from A-State?
Admissions
Steps to being admitted to our online public management program
A-State Online offers a streamlined admission process for both new students and transfers. Students who are interested in the MPA online program must have a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution. Review full admission requirements below.
Admission Requirements:
- Online application
- Official transcripts
- Bachelor's degree
Admission requirements
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution with at least 3.0 cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale or at least a 3.2 GPA on a 4.0 scale in the last 60 hours
- 500-word Statement of Purpose
Note: If you have a 3.0 – 3.199 cumulative GPA, you must make a grade of "B" or better during the first 9 hours of graduate work at Arkansas State University.
If your transcript(s) do not reflect grades of “C” or higher in courses on American national government and Research Methods, you will be required to take these courses prior to or during the first graduate enrollment period.
Application submission requirements
- Complete online application.
- Pay the nonrefundable $30 application fee.
- Send official transcript(s) from the college/university attended. Official transcripts are sealed transcripts sent from the granting institution.
- Submit a 500-word Statement of Purpose.
Submit all documents to:
A-State OnlineP.O. Box 2520
State University, AR 72467
Fax: 870-972-3548
Email: [email protected]
Additional information
Transfer credits
Applicants with prior “F” or “D” grades at the graduate level in any graduate program will not be admitted to the A-State MPA program. In addition, students who earn failing (“F") grades in the A-State MPA program are ineligible for readmission to the program. The only exception is with the Capstone.
Up to 9 graduate hours from A-State or other higher education institutions may be credited toward a program. No course can be older than six years by graduation time. Transfer credit will be evaluated by the Director of the Program. To request prior credit be evaluated, please complete the Graduate Transfer Credit Evaluation Form.
The degree was exactly what I was looking for, the cost was very agreeable and the online reviews were excellent. As I looked over the courses in the program, there were topics that spoke to me in what I believed would be important for my career.
Zach Curren, graduate, A-State online MPA – Public Management program
Courses
A look at the online MPA – Public Management curriculum
Students pursuing this degree must complete 36 credit hours, which includes core courses (21 hours) and Public Management track courses (15 hours) listed below. This does not include co-requisite courses (which must be completed prior to starting graduate courses). These courses are available online at Arkansas State.
Visit the Course Registration page to view the course schedule for this degree.
What is public budgeting and finance?
Public budgeting and finance involves planning, allocating, and managing government financial resources. It encompasses revenue collection, expenditure prioritization, fiscal transparency, and accountability frameworks. This field combines political decision-making with financial management to achieve policy objectives and deliver public services effectively.
This course offers a comprehensive exploration of public financial administration, focusing on the historical evolution, institutional frameworks and practical techniques that shape budgeting in the United States. Students will gain a deep understanding of how public budgets serve as tools for financial management, strategic planning, coalition building and accountability. Through a blend of theoretical foundations and applied analysis, the course emphasizes the political dynamics and decision-making processes that influence fiscal policy and public resource allocation.
Key areas of study include:
The history and development of U.S. public budgeting
The standard budget cycle and its components
Comparative evaluation of budget formats and their applications
The role of politics and governance in budget formulation
Theories of public budgeting decision-making
Best practices in budgeting and fiscal transparency
Revenue analysis using standard evaluation criteria
By the end of the course, students will be equipped to:
Articulate key concepts, tools and methods used in public budgeting, both verbally and in writing
Apply informed judgment to select appropriate budgeting approaches in various contexts
Analyze major revenue sources using fiscal evaluation techniques
Demonstrate an understanding of laws and practices that promote transparency and accountability in public finance
What is grant writing and administration?
Grant writing and administration is the practice of securing external funding through proposal development and fund management. It involves researching funders, crafting persuasive narratives, developing budgets, and managing awarded funds. This discipline requires technical writing skills and relationship management with funding organizations.
This course provides a practical, step-by-step approach to writing successful grant proposals, with a strong emphasis on community impact and outreach. Students will gain technical expertise in identifying funding opportunities, crafting compelling proposals and supporting nonprofit and nongovernmental organizations that serve local communities. Through collaborative learning and hands-on experience, the course fosters both individual skill development and peer-to-peer support.
Key learning components include:
Navigating the process of searching for appropriate grant funders
Evaluating funder alignment with specific project goals
Understanding the structure and components of general grant proposals
Collaborating with peers to refine and strengthen proposal drafts
Articulating each stage of the grant writing process from concept to submission
By the end of the course, students will be equipped to:
Identify and assess potential funding sources
Match funders with relevant project needs
Develop and critique grant proposals with clarity and purpose
Support community organizations through effective outreach and proposal writing
What is administrative leadership in public service?
Administrative leadership in public service guides governmental and nonprofit organizations through complex political and operational environments. It encompasses strategic visioning, ethical decision-making, stakeholder management, and organizational change. This leadership balances multiple interests while maintaining public trust and delivering citizen services.
This graduate-level course introduces students to the foundational concepts and practices of effective leadership, with a special focus on the challenges faced by first-time managers. Designed for learners with no prior academic or professional background in leadership, the course explores key theories, traits and behaviors that define successful leaders. Through a combination of readings, case studies, video analyses and reflective writing, students will engage in a dynamic learning experience that blends theory with practical application.
Delivered in an asynchronous online format, the course follows a weekly schedule with structured assignments and discussions. Students are expected to actively participate in weekly forums and complete assignments that draw from required texts, case studies and their own professional experiences.
Key learning components include:
Introduction to prevailing leadership theories and models
Exploration of exemplary leadership traits and behaviors
Development of a personal leadership style through reflection and analysis
Application of leadership concepts to real-world scenarios
Peer engagement through discussion and collaborative learning
By the end of the course, students will be able to:
Understand and apply core leadership theories and practices
Model effective leadership behaviors in professional settings
Expand their repertoire of leadership skills and strategies
Assess their own leadership strengths and areas for growth
Must complete 15 credit hours, including choosing between POSC 6603 or POSC 6473.
What is strategic planning, policy and management?
Strategic planning, policy and management is a systematic approach to defining organizational direction and allocating resources for long-term goals. It involves environmental scanning, stakeholder analysis, and performance measurement. This discipline aligns mission with execution through policy formulation and adaptive implementation.
Strategic planning is a vital management tool used across public and private sectors to define organizational goals, assess internal and external environments, and chart long-term strategies for success. This course provides students with a comprehensive understanding of strategic planning methods and elements, while offering hands-on experience in developing and evaluating actual strategic plans. Through lectures, discussions and technique-based instruction, students will explore the full life cycle of strategic planning and its role in organizational performance.
Students will engage with real-world applications and gain practical skills in facilitating strategic planning sessions, analyzing organizational environments and applying strategic management processes. The course emphasizes both conceptual understanding and technical proficiency, preparing students to lead and contribute to strategic initiatives in diverse organizational settings.
Key learning components include:
Identification of core concepts in strategic planning and management
Analysis of the relationship between organizational environment, strategy and performance
Application of strategic planning techniques in real-world scenarios
Evaluation of factors that influence strategic management processes
By the end of the course, students will be able to:
Facilitate strategic planning sessions with confidence and clarity
Critically evaluate organizational strategic plans
Demonstrate knowledge of strategic management frameworks
Discuss and apply strategic planning techniques in a variety of contexts
*In order to complete in 18 months, two courses must be taken each start and must begin program in the first session of the semester.