Online Master of Public Administration

Learn Relevant Skills to Land You with Top Careers

Drake’s online Master of Public Administration program equips you with the leadership, strategic, and analytical skills needed to move up in your career and make a lasting impact. Throughout the program, you’ll develop expertise in key areas that set you apart in the public and nonprofit sectors:

• Effective Communicators – Learn to communicate clearly and professionally, whether through compelling writing, impactful presentations, or strategic discussions with stakeholders.
• Ethical Stewards – Develop the ability to assess complex ethical dilemmas and uphold integrity as you guide organizations in serving the public good.
• Data-driven, Strategic Problem Solvers – Use qualitative and quantitative data to analyze challenges, craft sustainable strategies, and drive meaningful organizational change.
• Global and Multicultural Citizens – Gain the skills to navigate diverse cultural and global systems, ensuring inclusive, informed decision-making in an interconnected world.
• Proficient in the Field – Build expertise across key functional areas of the public and nonprofit sectors to strengthen organizations and serve communities effectively. 

With these in-demand skills, you’ll be well-positioned for career growth in government, nonprofit leadership, and beyond. Public relations and fundraising management jobs, for example, are projected to grow 6% from 2022 to 2032—outpacing the average for most occupations. Drake’s MPA program gives you the tools to seize these opportunities and lead with confidence.

Career Potential for the MPA Graduate 

Depending on your concentration, there are many career paths you can choose. Here are some of the titles our graduates hold: 

• Public Sector Manager
• Nonprofit Manager
• Community Affairs Manager
• Nurse Manager
• Director of Patient Safety
• Volunteer Manger
• City Manager
• Chief of Police
• Director of Public Works
• Fundraising Director

Customize Your MPA to Meet Your Career Goals 

Drawing on the expertise of the renowned faculty at the Zimpleman College of Business, the Drake MPA curriculum is enriched by experiential learning, team collaboration, and real-world scenarios. Adaptable in its design, you can tailor the degree program to align with your specific goals through career-focused curriculum in areas such as: 

• Public & Nonprofit Management – Expand your ability to lead and manage with confidence as you complete coursework that focuses on public administration, public policy and advocacy, exploring the changing nature of public service to maximize impact and building organizations with resiliency and talent to do good.
• Healthcare Management – Gain an understanding of the evolving healthcare landscape through the completion of coursework consisting of health care administration, healthcare policy, ethics, law and advocacy and conflict resolution.
• CPM-MPA Pathway – Learn what it takes to become a certified public manager in a blended format of in-person and virtual sessions.

Alumni Testimonial

When Katie Niday wanted to transition into a new career, she looked to the online MPA program at Drake. “My advisor told me about [selecting] the right coursework to help me achieve my goal.”  With the help of the online MPA program and career services at Drake, she landed a job in her desired field.  “My advisor helped me completely rebuild my résumé. I also was able to list her as a reference.”

—Katie Niday, MPA

Admission Requirements for the MPA

To be eligible to enroll for the Public Administration Master's at Drake, applicants must have earned a bachelor’s degree from an institution accredited by the Higher Learning Commission or comparable association. No GRE or GMAT is required for admission.

Begin Your Path to Career Growth Today

Start your MPA degree on your schedule with our flexible, fully online courses! With six start dates, you can begin when it’s most convenient for you. Our accelerated 6-week courses are 100% asynchronous, meaning no required weekly meetings, so you can study anytime, anywhere. This flexible format makes it easy to balance coursework with your busy life. Check the calendar below to find the upcoming application deadlines and start dates.

About the Zimpleman College of Business

Drake’s Zimpleman College of Business equips you with the skills and experience to lead and innovate in government and nonprofit sectors to generate positive economic, environmental, and social outcomes. You will be prepared for the career you desire—one that aligns with your values, and generates economic opportunity and income for yourself and others. our values and generates economic opportunity and income for yourself and others.

Upon graduation, you will be equipped with the technical skills, business acumen, empathy, and experience necessary to innovate and lead in a globally complex, diverse, and dynamic world. You will be:

• Proficient in your field
• A data-driven, strategic, and innovative problem-solver
• An effective communicator
• A socially and ethically responsible leader
• A global and culturally competent citizen

In addition to university accreditation by the Higher Learning Commission, the Zimpleman College of Business is an accredited member of AACSB International—The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.

If you're now prepared to advance in your career, we're waiting at the ready to review your application. Apply today with no application fee!

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