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Public Administration, MPA
With over 40 years of success, our STEM-designated MPA in Public Administration will enable you to gain the management expertise needed to succeed in the most rewarding and demanding areas of the national economy: government, healthcare, and nonprofit administration.
Location
New York City
White Plains
Online
Duration
42 Credits
24–48 Months, full-time and part-time
Modality
In-person, Web-Assisted, Hybrid, Asynchronous
Start Dates
Fall, Spring, Summer
F1 Visa
Yes
STEM Designated Program
Yes
Why Earn Your MPA at Pace? Our Graduates Become Leaders
By enrolling in Pace’s Master of Public Administration (MPA) program at Dyson College you will acquire strong analytical and administrative skills that will empower our graduates to become value-driven public service leaders, managers, and analysts.
Our unique program offerings and thoughtfully designed curriculum will help you build your knowedlge knowledge of roles, values, skills, and practices that prepare our students become competent global professionals capable of ethical, innovative, and creative leadership in public service, government, health care, and nonprofit organizations. The interdisciplinary curriculum with three potential tracks–government management, healthcare management, and nonprofit management–enables you to occupy public service management and analyst positions across sectoral boundaries, as the program takes into account career and industry sector flexibility.
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The mission of the Master of Public Administration (MPA) Program is to prepare pre-service and in-service students in the New York City metropolitan area, the state of New York, the U.S. and internationally to become value-driven public service leaders, managers and analysts by providing our graduates with the knowledge of roles, values, skills, and practices that will help them become competent global leaders and professionals capable of effective, ethical, innovative, and creative leadership in public service, in government, heath care and nonprofit organizations. Our MPA program draws on and values the diversity of our students, faculty, alumni and community – which contributes to the advancement of the practice and scholarship in public administration, affairs and policy.
The mission is realized through the pursuit of five goals:
- Graduate competent professionals, leaders and analysts with effective, ethical, innovative and creative management and leadership skills in public service.
- Demonstrate a research-based and community-based impact through generation, application and dissemination of knowledge that articulates, incorporates and balances economic public service values (e.g. efficiency, effectiveness, accountability, professionalism) with democratic ones (e.g. equity, fairness, transparency, responsiveness) to guide the actions of successful public administrators.
- Emphasize the importance of practical experience through a) the use of analytical, managerial and research-based learning, b) opportunities for students to work with faculty on research both inside and outside the classroom, c) fostering the need for work experience in the application of public administration knowledge through Capstone projects and Internship experiences;
- Nurture a sense of service to the community and the profession by a) partnering with key organizations and specialized research institutes, b) engaging with a wide, diverse and connected alumni network, and c) collaborating with world-class universities in the United States and abroad;
- Promote a diverse and inclusive learning environment by aligning the MPA program with Pace University's motto of Opportunitas by providing access to quality education for all students, including those from all backgrounds (ethnic/race, gender, country of origin, economic, cultural) and first generation college students.
22+ million
the U.S. government employs over 22 million at the federal, state, and local levels (Source: Statista.com)
29%
Projected job growth from 2023–2033 for medical and health service managers (Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics)
94%
of Dyson 2023 graduate degree graduates are employed, or continuing education or service (Source: Pace University Career Services)
Curriculum
This 42-credit MPA program is designed to prepare you to obtain public service positions in government, healthcare, and nonprofit organizations. Full-time students can complete course work in two years and part-time students typically in four years. The program consists of required core courses, track/specialization courses, and elective courses.
NASPAA Accredited
This Master of Public Administration appears on the NASPAA Annual Roster of Accredited Programs in conformity with standards established for professional masters degrees in public affairs and administration.
Choose Your Tailored Path
Track 1: Government Management Track (NYC, Haub Law Campus, and Online Government Management Track)
The Government track is ideal for pre-service and in-service professionals interested in pursuing a public service career in the local, state, and federal government. This track is also suitable for individuals who are interested in pursuing political careers. Our Government Management track graduates are employed as municipal and assistant municipal managers, chiefs of staff, school district business leaders, elected officials, budget analysts, and directors, as well as executive and program directors and coordinators in various public sector agencies.
Track 2: Healthcare Management Track (NYC, Haub Law Campus, and Online Healthcare Management Track)
The Healthcare Management track is ideal for individuals occupying administrative positions in the healthcare industry, who are interested in advancing into leadership positions in organizations that provide public health services as well as in regulatory agencies in the healthcare field. Our Healthcare Management track graduates are employed with state and local health agencies, and non-profit/for-profit healthcare organizations such as hospitals in the NYC metro area including NYC metro area Presbyterian, Mt. Sinai, Lenox Hill, Montefiore etc.
Track 3: Nonprofit Management Track (NYC, Haub Law Campus, and Online Nonprofit Management Track)
The Nonprofit Management track is geared toward public managers in the nonprofit sector with previous management experience or with advanced professional degrees. Students pursuing this MPA track can focus on three areas: managerial skills enhancement (for those in or preparing for a career as a manager or administrator of a non-profit organization); leadership development (designed for those interested in planning for and implementing social change); and social entrepreneurship (ideal for those in the private sector who have a particular interest in the social impact of for-profit business activities). Our Nonprofit Management track graduates are employed with varied sized-organizations in the areas of education, parks and recreation, community services, healthcare, immigration, etc.
Take Courses Like…
- PAA 630 Intergovernmental Relations
- PAA 673 Financial Resource Development for Not-for-Profits
- PAA 650 The United States Health Care System
Unique Program Opportunities
The MPA program operates and partners with engaged academic professional networks and research institutions to provide candidates with access to research opportunities, key industry conferences, field-specific internships and fellowships, and other valuable learning and networking opportunities.
- Master of Public Administration Student Association (MPASA) creates new opportunities for students to strengthen their leadership, enhance their current professional networks, build civic engagement, and create community with each other, faculty, staff, alumni, and senior public managers and officials. The MPASA provides career-related information, tools, and events in the NYC, Westchester, and surrounding areas for students, recent graduates, and new and mid-career professionals.
- Internships and fellowship opportunities are provided through collaborative partnerships between the faculty and staff in the MPA program, our engaged alumni network, and our partners in the professional and local community.
- The Helene and Grant Wilson Center for Social Entrepreneurship serves the nonprofit and social enterprise community and Pace University. It is devoted to honing the risk-taking spirit and managerial skills of nonprofit organizations and social ventures and provides students with internships, education, research, communication, and advisory services, with the goal of promoting social change through entrepreneurship.
- The International Study Abroad course to Oxford, United Kingdom provides our MPA candidates the opportunity for 10 days in July to build practical and cultural knowledge while conducting comparative coursework in health care, government, and nonprofit management.
- Pi Alpha Alpha recognition through the National Honor Society for Public Affairs and Administration. Every year, MPA students with high academic achievements are invited to be inducted into Pi Alpha Alpha.
- Professional and development opportunities developed in house or in partnership with our professional associations through guest speakers, career/alumni panels, and current topic events.
Careers
Alumni of the Pace MPA program serve in various public service positions in government, healthcare, and nonprofit organizations, including as elected officials, leadership positions within state and local public sector agencies, hospitals, education, and much more.
As a Pace student, you’ll have the opportunity to connect with our robust career services team to develop a career plan that best fits your goals.
Our Graduates are Prepared for Jobs Like:
- Mayor
- New York State Representative
- Urban planner
- City manager
- Budget analyst
- Policy analyst
Alumni Spotlight: Andrea Stewart Cousins ’86, ‘08
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New York State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins has been widely recognized as a trailblazer in local and state government, and a champion for progressive action. As the longest-serving Democratic Majority Leader in New York State Senate history, and the first woman and African American woman to occupy this role, her tenure is distinguished by significant legislative achievements and a steadfast commitment to addressing the needs of New Yorkers.
International Career Success Program
The INSPIRE Program (International Student Professional Readiness Program) is a badged internship and career success program exclusive to Pace. Year after year, this one-of-a-kind program empowers international students to achieve results in obtaining internships, jobs, and salary outcomes. Domestic students, we have an equivalent program for you called ASPIRE.
Where Pace Graduates are Employed
Public Administration alumni are placed across a wide range of professional institutions. The breakdown of 2020–2021 graduates is as follows:
- 41% in Nonprofit Organizations
- 24% in the Private Sector (Research/Consulting)
- 11% Continuing Education
- 10% in the Private Sector (other)
- 7% in Local Government
Featured Faculty
Professor
Professor Chen’s research interests include general public policy and development strategy, social policy, health, aging, community care, socioeconomics, international and area studies (China and US)
Professor
Associate Professor Henley’s research interests include health policy, public policy, collaboration, and nonprofit management.
Professor
Clinical Associate Professor Kolenda’s scholarship focuses on urban policy, nonprofit entrepreneurship, and technology, with an emphasis on the “gig economy” and the role of innovation on the economic development of cities.
Admission and Financial Aid
You're ready for a new level of success—whether it's advancing in your current field or launching a new career. Pace is with you every step of the way, providing a world-class education and the skills your industry will be looking for far into the future.
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- A personal statement explaining to the Graduate Admission Committee why you would like to pursue the program of graduate study you have chosen. Additional information regarding your academic performance, as well as professional experience, may also be included in the supplement.
- A resume or outline describing at least the past five years of your employment history and any significant community, professional, or college extracurricular activities.
- Applicants need 2 letters of recommendation. Letters should be from academic or professional references that can knowledgeably comment on your ability to successfully complete graduate study. Include recognitions and achievements (e.g. licenses, publications, and awards).
- All Official Transcripts: Transcripts from every accredited college or university attended (not just the degree granting institution) must be sent either to Pace University, directly from the academic institution electronically or by mail, or forwarded by the applicant in sealed envelopes from the academic institution.
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Per credit: $1,520 (On-Campus) | Total cost of program: $62,840
*Tuition based on current year and subject to change. -
Fall Term
- Domestic Students: August 1
- International Students: June 1
Spring Term
- Domestic Students: December 1
- International Students: October 1
Summer Term
- Domestic Students: May 1
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Make an appointment to meet with you admission counselor.
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Every admitted student is automatically considered for all available financial aid options, assessed based on both availability and individual need. Financial resources include:
- Merit-based Scholarships: Awards of up to $4,800, automatically considered during the application process.
- Graduate Assistantships: Opportunities for hands-on experience while earning financial support.
- Endowed Scholarships: Awards funded by generous donors to support student success.
- Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loan: A federal loan program with favorable terms.
- Graduate/Professional Direct PLUS Loan: For students who need additional funding.
- Work-Study Programs: Part-time work opportunities to help fund your education.
- Military Benefits: Includes the GI Bill®, the Yellow Ribbon Program, and Pace’s Veteran Tuition Scholarship.
For more information about affordability and the full range of financial aid options, visit Pace University Financial Aid.
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
Contact Us
Admission Contact
Office of Graduate Admission
Phone: (212) 346-1531
Email: graduateadmission@pace.edu
Departmental Contact
Rebecca Tekula, PhD
Phone: (212) 346-1925
Email: rtekula@pace.edu