The Master of Public Administration at Southern Arkansas University prepares students for leadership and management careers across the public, nonprofit, healthcare, education, and community development sectors. Whether you want to influence public policy, lead a nonprofit organization, manage municipal operations, advance in higher education or healthcare administration, work in emergency management, or strengthen local communities through effective leadership, the MPA provides the practical skills, administrative knowledge, and ethical foundation needed to succeed in a wide variety of professional roles.
Program Format & Flexibility
We understand the demands of today’s workforce. Our MPA is built for versatility:
- Online: Access 100% of your coursework from anywhere in the world.
Program Duration & Start Dates
- Duration: Can be completed in as little as 12–24 months depending on course load.
- Start Dates: Rolling admissions with intakes for Fall, Spring, and Summer.
- Accelerated Master’s Option: SAU undergraduates in a variety of undergraduate degrees can fast-track their education by starting MPA courses during their senior year.
Why Choose SAU for your MPA?
- Affordability: One of the most competitively priced MPA programs in the region, ensuring a high return on your investment.
- Mission-Driven: Focuses on the unique challenges of rural politics, civic engagement, and sustainable public service.
- Comprehensive Support: Small class sizes ensure direct access to faculty mentors who are experts in public policy and administration.
Skills You Will Gain
- Public Budgeting and Financial Management: Learn how to manage budgets, allocate public resources, and support financial decision-making in government and nonprofit organizations
- Policy Analysis and Decision-Making: Develop the ability to evaluate public policies, analyze data, and recommend solutions to complex community and organizational challenges
- Leadership and Organizational Management: Build practical leadership skills for managing teams, leading organizations, and improving public and nonprofit services
- Grant Writing and Program Development: Gain hands-on experience in writing grants, securing funding, and managing projects that support community initiatives and organizational goals
Faculty & Digital Learning Environment
- Expert Practitioners: Learn from faculty who are vested in local, state, and federal governance, bringing years of real-world administrative experience into the digital classroom.
- Mission-Driven Instruction: Our curriculum is specifically tailored to the unique challenges of public service, focusing on ethics, rural politics, and sustainable community development.
- Collaborative Online Platforms: Utilize modern learning management systems that facilitate meaningful debate and networking with fellow public service professionals.
- Applied Capstone: Solve a real-world public or non-profit challenge using administrative theory to build your professional portfolio.
Student Stories
I chose SAU because I had a relative that was attending SAU at the time, and she spoke very highly of the university. She told me that I would love it! And she was right. From the conversations & discussions with my peers to the knowledge gained from my professors, I'm grateful for my time at SAU.
Curriculum
Core Courses (21 hours)
- PA 6003 – Principles of Public Administration
- PA 6053 – Public and Non-Profit Budgeting
- PA 6063 – Public Policy
- PA 6073 – Research Methods
- PA 6083 – Organizational Leadership
- PA 6153 – Human Resources in Public Organizations
- PA 6263 – Program Evaluation
Elective Courses (12 hours)
- PA 6033 – Rural Politics
- PA 6043 – Legal Issues in Public Administration
- PA 6133 – Nonprofit Organizations
- PA 6253 – Civic Engagement in Public Administration
- PA 6273 – Planning, Grant-Writing, and Implementation
- PA 6283 – Public Technology
- PA 6293 – Global and Comparative Public Administration
Professional Project (3 hours)
- PA 6113 – Professional Project (Capstone)
Admissions
- Online Application: Submit your Graduate Studies Application.
- Transcripts: Provide official transcripts from all previously attended institutions.
- GPA Requirement: Minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 (Conditional admission may be available for those with 2.5+).
Prerequisites:
A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution is required. Students from non-related fields are welcome to apply.
Career Outcomes
An MPA degree prepares graduates for leadership and management careers across government, nonprofit, healthcare, education, emergency management, and community development organizations. Career pathways may include:
- City and County Management
- Nonprofit Leadership and Administration
- Public Policy Analysis
- Human Resources Management
- Emergency Management and Public Safety Administration
- Community and Economic Development
- Healthcare and Higher Education Administration
- Grant and Program Management
Career Outlook
The Master of Public Administration is a versatile degree that supports career advancement across multiple sectors. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, many public service and management-related careers, including social and community service managers, are projected to experience steady or faster-than-average job growth over the next decade.
