Introduction
Choosing to pursue a graduate degree in Public Administration in Massachusetts involves a comprehensive and diverse experience. The state hosts several well-regarded institutions like Harvard University, Boston University, and Suffolk University, each offering practical programs in public administration.
Attaining an MPA degree opens doors to fulfilling managerial careers within the public sector, nonprofit organizations, and private entities engaged in partnerships with government officials. In Massachusetts, there are several Master of Public Administration (MPA) programs providing students with opportunities to develop skills in public administration, policy, and leadership.
Key State Takeaways:
- Total MPA Programs Statewide: 9
- NASPAA-Accredited Programs: 4
- Annual Resident Tuition Average: $11,200 (PYR)
- Annual Non-Resident Tuition Average: $22,500 (PYR)
- Program Formats Offered: On-campus, hybrid, online, executive track
- Average Starting Salary: $71,300
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- No GRE/GMAT Required
- 100% Online
- HLC Accredited
Walden University
Online Public Policy and Administration Programs
Walden University’s Public Administration programs are taught by a distinguished faculty of scholar-practitioners, many of whom have senior-executive experience in government and public service. Programs include:
- No GRE/GMAT Required
- Top Ranked
- Built for Leaders
Arizona State University
Online Master of Public Administration (MPA)
ASU’s Online Master of Public Administration provides students with a curriculum that covers leadership strategies, ethical decision-making, and effective management across various organizations.
- Transfer Credits Accepted
- Military Friendly
- 100% Online
Purdue Global
Online Master of Public Administration (MPA)
Purdue Global’s Online MPA is designed to help practicing and aspiring administrators develop skills and techniques to provide leadership in a wide variety of public service fields.
- Affordable
- Transfer Credits Accepted
- Accredited Program
Liberty University
Online Master of Public Administration (MPA)
Liberty University’s Master’s Degree in Public Administration Online is designed to equip students with a thorough background in the theories and practices essential for success in government and nonprofit roles. MPA areas of focus include:
- Accredited Programs
- Affordable Degrees
- 100% Online
Southern New Hampshire University
Online Public Administration & Political Science Degrees
Stand up and be counted with a degree in public administration/political science from Southern New Hampshire University—and learn how to facilitate change from within the system. Program offerings include:
NASPAA-Accredited MPA Programs in Massachusetts
The Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA), a leading global accrediting body for graduate educational institutions, plays a crucial role in evaluating and accrediting programs like Master of Public Administration (MPA) and Master of Public Policy (MPP) to ensure the highest standards in public administration education.
Currently, four institutions in Massachusetts hold NASPAA accreditation for their MPA programs, demonstrating their commitment to quality education and industry standards. The following is an overview of the four NASPAA-accredited institutions in Massachusetts:
Bridgewater State University
- Bridgewater, MA.
- 39 Credit Hours
- Online + Campus
Program:
Master of Public Administration (MPA)
Program Overview:
Bridgewater State University’s MPA prepares students for leadership and service in public policy, public administration, nonprofit, and civic organizations. The program offers a generalist track and a concentration in Civic & Nonprofit Leadership and Administration. Designed to serve both pre-career students and mid-career professionals, courses are offered at convenient locations and times (evenings, weekends) to accommodate working students. The degree culminates in a capstone seminar and integrates applied skills in data analysis, policy, organizational planning, and nonprofit leadership.
Unique Components:
- Generalist vs Concentration: Students choose between a generalist track or the Civic & Nonprofit Leadership and Administration concentration.
- Capstone seminar: The program ends with a capstone that emphasizes service-learning projects usable in the professional portfolio.
- Applied analytic/data skills: Core curriculum includes data analysis & presentation, organizational planning & assessment, policy analysis, etc.
Key Data Highlights:
- Format: Online, on-campus
- Accreditation: NASPAA
- Credit Hours: 39
- GRE: Not required
- Tuition: $1,385 (PCH)
- Acceptance Rate: N/A
- Enrollment: N/A
Other Considerations:
- The “Civic & Nonprofit Leadership & Administration” concentration may be particularly appealing for students interested in nonprofit management, community nonprofits, or civic engagement sectors.
- Bridgewater State emphasizes value: as one of only a few NASPAA-accredited public universities in Massachusetts, its MPA is positioned as a relatively affordable option for quality public administration education.
Northeastern University
- Boston, MA.
- 40 Credit Hours
- Online + Campus
Program:
Master of Public Administration (MPA)
Program Overview:
Northeastern University’s MPA (offered via the School of Public Policy & Urban Affairs, in the College of Social Sciences & Humanities) is a NASPAA-accredited degree that trains leaders for public service in government, nonprofit, and community sectors. The program emphasizes applied, experiential learning (co-ops, internships, capstones) and provides multidisciplinary coursework in policy analysis, budgeting, organizational leadership, ethics, and management. It’s offered in multiple modalities (online, in-person) and multiple locations (Boston; Arlington, VA; Oakland, CA), allowing flexibility for working professionals and students from different geographies.
Unique Components:
- Multi-modality delivery: Students can take the MPA fully online, in-person at one of the campuses (Boston, Arlington, Oakland), or a hybrid/combination model.
- Experiential learning partnerships: Includes co-op, internships, capstone projects tied to real public/nonprofit/government partners.
- Optional Graduate Certificates / Specializations: Students can supplement the MPA with certificates in areas like urban analytics, urban studies, public policy analysis, or nonprofit sector studies.
Key Data Highlights:
- Format: Online, on-campus
- Accreditation: NASPAA
- Credit Hours: 40
- GRE: Not required
- Tuition: $1,056 (PCH)
- Acceptance Rate: N/A
- Enrollment: 97 students
Other Considerations:
- Northeastern offers a 50% scholarship for MPA students who study at newer campus locations (Oakland, Arlington).
- Moral, ethical, and accountability components are embedded in the curriculum, as well as training in leadership, public finance, and organizational management.
Suffolk University
- Boston, MA.
- 42 Credit Hours
- Campus
Program:
Sawyer Business School Department of Public Service
Program Overview:
The Suffolk MPA, offered through the Sawyer Business School’s Department of Public Service & Healthcare Administration, provides a pragmatic, practice-oriented education in public service management. It is designed for students aiming for managerial or administrative roles in government, nonprofits, or public service institutions. The program includes foundational courses in public administration, quantitative analysis, leadership, human resources, financial management, and offers elective concentrations to tailor paths in areas like nonprofit management, state & local government, healthcare, or performance management.
Unique Components:
- Concentration Options: Students may concentrate in State & Local Government, Healthcare, Nonprofit Management, or Performance Management.
- Internship Requirement or Waiver: Students with fewer than three years of relevant public service management experience must take the internship course (3 credits) as one of their electives; those with sufficient experience may request a waiver.
- Dual Degree Options: Suffolk offers several dual-degree combinations including MA in Applied Politics (MAAP), MS in Crime & Justice Studies, Mental Health Counseling (MSMHC), Global Public Policy (MAGPP), etc., allowing overlap of courses to reduce total time.
Key Data Highlights:
- Format: On-campus
- Accreditation: NASPAA
- Credit Hours: 42
- GRE: Not required
- Tuition: $1,322 (PCH)
- Acceptance Rate: N/A
- Enrollment: N/A
Other Considerations:
- Financial Aid & Fellowships: Suffolk offers merit- and need-based aid for graduate students, including some fellowship opportunities.
- Commonwealth Suffolk Fellowship Program: A specific fellowship opportunity for state employees from Massachusetts, offering full-tuition support and continued employment while completing the program.
University of Massachusetts – Boston
- Boston, MA.
- 36 Credit Hours
- Online + Campus
Program:
McCormack Graduate School of Policy and Global Studies
Program Overview:
UMass Boston’s MPA, housed in the McCormack Graduate School of Policy & Global Studies, is a NASPAA-accredited program focused on preparing students for leadership in public service, nonprofit, and governmental organizations. The program offers both the general MPA track and a specialized Gender, Leadership, & Public Policy (GLPP) track. The curriculum includes required courses in public management, analytical methods, budgeting & finance, ethics, organizational behavior, policy analysis, program evaluation, leadership skills, and concludes with a 6-credit case-study capstone. Students may enroll full-time or part-time.
Unique Components:
- Gender, Leadership, & Public Policy Track (GLPP): Offers students a focused specialization with courses in leadership, gender & policy, plus internships. Students completing certain credit thresholds also receive a certificate in GLPP.
- Policy Workshops: Several 1-credit weekend policy workshops rotating through topics, built into the curriculum.
- Accelerated Master’s Program (AMP): UMass Boston undergrads meeting criteria can begin MPA coursework as undergraduates and complete both degrees more quickly.
Key Data Highlights:
- Format: Online, on-campus
- Accreditation: NASPAA
- Credit Hours: 36
- GRE: Optional
- Resident Tuition: $807 (PCH)
- Non-Resident Tuition: $1,575 (PCH)
- Acceptance Rate: N/A
- Enrollment: N/A
Other Considerations:
- Flexible Credit Load & Part-Time Option: Students may take full-time loads (6-9 credits per semester) or slower part-time schedules.
- UMass Boston is known for a diverse student body and a mission of public service, which is reflected in the McCormack School’s values.
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- No GRE/GMAT Required
- 100% Online
- HLC Accredited
Walden University
Online Public Policy and Administration Programs
Walden University’s Public Administration programs are taught by a distinguished faculty of scholar-practitioners, many of whom have senior-executive experience in government and public service. Programs include:
- No GRE/GMAT Required
- Top Ranked
- Built for Leaders
Arizona State University
Online Master of Public Administration (MPA)
ASU’s Online Master of Public Administration provides students with a curriculum that covers leadership strategies, ethical decision-making, and effective management across various organizations.
- Transfer Credits Accepted
- Military Friendly
- 100% Online
Purdue Global
Online Master of Public Administration (MPA)
Purdue Global’s Online MPA is designed to help practicing and aspiring administrators develop skills and techniques to provide leadership in a wide variety of public service fields.
- Affordable
- Transfer Credits Accepted
- Accredited Program
Liberty University
Online Master of Public Administration (MPA)
Liberty University’s Master’s Degree in Public Administration Online is designed to equip students with a thorough background in the theories and practices essential for success in government and nonprofit roles. MPA areas of focus include:
- Accredited Programs
- Affordable Degrees
- 100% Online
Southern New Hampshire University
Online Public Administration & Political Science Degrees
Stand up and be counted with a degree in public administration/political science from Southern New Hampshire University—and learn how to facilitate change from within the system. Program offerings include:
Non-Accredited Schools
In Massachusetts, several NASPAA-accredited MPA programs are available through institutions like UMass Boston and UMass Amherst, but non-accredited schools also offer strong options that merit attention. Programs at institutions such as Suffolk University or Northeastern University provide practical training in management, policy, and nonprofit leadership, often with flexible evening or part-time schedules that cater to working professionals:
| Institution | Location | Accreditation | Credit Hours | Modality |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anna Maria College | Paxton, MA | NEASCCIHE | 36 | Online |
| Clark University | Worcester, MA | NEASCCIHE | 30 | Online/On- Campus |
| Framingham State University | Framingham, MA | NEASCCIHE | 30 | On-Campus |
| Harvard University | Cambridge, MA | NEASCCIHE | 64 | On-Campus |
| Westfield State University | Westfield, MA | NEASCCIHE | 36 | On-Campus |
Career Outlook
An MPA degree in Massachusetts opens avenues for diverse and impactful careers, with opportunities in healthcare, education, technology, and environmental policy. The state’s history includes notable public officials who have shaped governance with their MPA education, demonstrating the enduring influence of MPA graduates in Massachusetts’ public administration landscape.
- State Government Administration: The Commonwealth of Massachusetts employs Program Coordinators and Policy Analysts in agencies such as Health and Human Services, Environmental Protection, and Education, where they manage programs and evaluate policy effectiveness.
- Municipal Management: Boston and other municipalities hire professionals like Budget Analysts and City Planners to oversee fiscal management and urban development.
- Public Health Policy: The Massachusetts Department of Public Health hires roles such as Public Health Program Manager to develop and manage statewide health initiatives.
- Transportation & Infrastructure Planning: The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) offers careers for Transportation Planners and project managers to improve transit operations and infrastructure.
- Nonprofit Leadership: Massachusetts’ robust nonprofit sector, represented by the Massachusetts Nonprofit Network, lists openings for Executive Directors, Development Officers, and Program Managers across the state.
All MPA Programs in Massachusetts
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Can working professionals pursue an MPA part-time in Massachusetts?
A: Yes. Several universities, including Suffolk University and UMass Boston, offer evening, weekend, or online courses designed for mid-career professionals. These flexible options allow students to balance graduate studies with professional and family responsibilities.
Q: Are there online MPA options available in Massachusetts?
A: Yes. UMass Dartmouth and UMass Boston offer fully online MPA programs, providing access to students throughout the state and beyond. Online programs typically mirror the curriculum of on-campus offerings while providing the flexibility needed for remote learners.
Q: How do Massachusetts MPA programs connect with local government and nonprofit organizations?
A: Programs in Massachusetts benefit from the state’s rich network of municipalities, nonprofits, and state government agencies, particularly in the Greater Boston area. Students often gain experience through internships, research assistantships, or capstone projects with organizations such as the Massachusetts State Legislature, city governments, or regional nonprofits.
Q: What unique specializations are available in Massachusetts MPA programs?
A: Massachusetts universities offer a wide range of focus areas. Suffolk University provides specializations in nonprofit management, performance management, and community engagement. UMass Boston emphasizes urban policy and diversity in public service, while UMass Amherst integrates regional planning and public policy.
Q: How long does it usually take to complete an MPA in Massachusetts?
A: Most full-time students can complete their degree in about two years. Part-time students, especially those in flexible or executive formats, typically take three to four years depending on course load. Accelerated “4+1” programs are also available for undergraduates at some institutions.
