Public Administration (MPA)

UNG offers a 36-credit-hour Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree in order to serve qualified, professionally-oriented college graduates who aspire employment in the public sector, in a nonprofit organization, or in a corporate setting having extensive interaction with governmental agencies. All program instruction is delivered online.

The MPA program is intended to be challenging in order to make a student’s investment of time worthwhile and is open to all majors. The program is also flexible to accommodate the schedules of both full-time and part-time students and to allow students with a variety of interests to profit from the program’s curricular options.

Request Information Apply Attend a Virtual Information Session

MPA Program Quick Facts

Online program, no campus visit required
Asynchronous online classes
Program length 36 credit hours
24 hours of core courses, 12 hours of elective courses
Graduate Assistantship Opportunity

Scholarships available to graduate students
Internship opportunities
Open to enrollment any semester
GRE or GMAT not required with minimum GPA
Rolling admissions - applications are reviewed as received

Program Application Deadlines

If program capacity is met prior to established admission deadlines, we will stop accepting applications for admission and cancel remaining incomplete applicants. Completing your application earlier is better.

Fall Deadline

July 15

Spring Deadline

November 15

Summer Deadline

April 15

How to Apply to UNG's MPA Program

Degree Seeking Regular
Requirements

Baccalaureate from an accredited institution (as defined under Accredited Institutions in the Academic Information section of the Graduate Catalog) with at least a cumulative grade point average of 2.75 (4.0 scale) calculated in accordance with Graduate Admissions procedures.

Required Supplemental Documents

A six-hundred-word personal statement describing the specific interest in the MPA degree and any background in the field of public administration.

Two UNG recommendation forms.

Applying to UNG

Step 1Application and Application Fee

Step 2Official Transcripts

Step 3Verification of Lawful Presence in the U.S.

Step 4Graduate Assistants

Step 1Application and Application Fee

Submit the online application for Graduate Admissions.

Please allow three business days after submitting your application for processing. You will receive an email from grads@ung.edu after your application has been reviewed for accuracy and updated with submitted documents. Please do not check your application status prior to receiving an email from this office as your online application checklist will not accurately reflect the required items for your program of interest.

Non-refundable application fee of $40.

Pay with a credit/debit card (Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express) or electronic check (U.S. banks only) when completing the online application.

Include a check or money order payable to UNG when submitting a paper application.

Required supplemental documents may be uploaded with your application or emailed to grads@ung.edu.

Step 2Official Transcripts

Submit one set of official transcripts from each institution attended for all course work, undergraduate and graduate level.

Transfer credit posted on records of other institutions is not accepted in lieu of transcripts from original institutions. Please request a transcript from each institution attended.

Transcripts that have been opened, scanned or forwarded by email are not official and will not be accepted.

Official paper transcripts are accepted if submitted from the issuing institution and mailed to University of North Georgia Admissions Imaging Center, P.O. Box 1358, Gainesville, GA 30503-1358. Student paper transcripts are accepted only when issued to the student in a sealed envelope and submitted to Graduate Admissions unopened.

Official electronic transcripts are accepted if submitted from the issuing institution to grads@ung.edu. Depending on the transcript service you are using, grads@ung.edu may not be an available option. You may then select any admissions or undergraduate admissions @ung.edu address. Electronic transcripts forwarded via email from the student are not accepted.

International transcripts must have a course-by-course credential evaluation by an independent evaluation service that is a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services, Inc. (NACES) or Association of International Credential Evaluators, Inc. (AICE). Evaluations must be sent directly from the agency to the Admissions office. Refer to the evaluator website for a full list of NACES or AICE members. Official evaluations must include certification that the applicant's course work and degrees earned are equivalent to course work and degrees earned from an accredited institution (as defined under Accredited Institutions in the Academic Information section of the Graduate Catalog) and include a cumulative grade point average. Evaluations should be submitted from the evaluation service to Graduate Admissions. Evaluations must include certification that the applicant has received a baccalaureate from an accredited institution (as defined under Accredited Institutions in the Academic Information section of the Graduate Catalog) with a minimum grade point average of 2.75.

Graduate Admissions will retrieve transcripts of coursework completed in-residence at UNG. You do not need to order official transcripts from UNG.

Step 3Verification of Lawful Presence in the U.S.

Board of Regents’ policy requires all applicants accepted for admission or readmission to UNG seeking in-state for tuition classification provide validation of residency and lawful presence in both the state of Georgia and the United States.

Learn More

Step 4Graduate Assistants

Interested in applying for a graduate assistant position at UNG?

Visit UNG's Job Site and select Grad Assistant to view available positions.

When prompted on the Graduate Admissions application, select "Yes" to be added to our email communications about upcoming positions.

Graduate assistants are required to have health insurance. For additional information, visit USG Student Health Insurance Program (SHIP)

Degree Seeking Provisional
Applicants who do not meet regular status requirements may qualify for provisional admission.

Requirements

Baccalaureate from an accredited institution (as defined under Accredited Institutions in the Academic Information section of the Graduate Catalog) with at least a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 (4.0 scale) calculated in accordance with Graduate Admissions procedures.

Official General Record Exam (GRE) score not less than 280 (verbal and quantitative scores combined) or a score no less than 340 on the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT).
Note: Only test scores less than five years old will be considered.

Required Supplemental Documents

A six-hundred-word personal statement describing the specific interest in the MPA degree and any background in the field of public administration.

Two UNG recommendation forms.

Provisional degree-seeking students

may register for a maximum of nine semester hours of graduate credit.

will be reviewed to determine eligibility for regular admission following completion of the first semester enrolled.

are not eligible for federal financial aid while enrolled in courses as a provisional student.

will not be allowed to continue in the program if a grade of C or lower is earned in any graduate course.

may apply for readmission after three semesters from the date removed from the program because of a deficient grade by submitting a new application to Graduate Admissions with a letter addressed to the program coordinator requesting readmission.

Applying to UNG

Step 1Application and Application Fee

Step 2Official Transcripts

Step 3Official Entrance Test Score

Step 4Verification of Lawful Presence in the U.S.

Step 5Graduate Assistants

Step 1Application and Application Fee

Submit the online application for Graduate Admissions.

Please allow three business days after submitting your application for processing. You will receive an email from grads@ung.edu after your application has been reviewed for accuracy and updated with submitted documents. Please do not check your application status prior to receiving an email from this office as your online application checklist will not accurately reflect the required items for your program of interest.

Non-refundable application fee of $40.

Pay with a credit/debit card (Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express) or electronic check (U.S. banks only) when completing the online application.

Include a check or money order payable to UNG when submitting a paper application.

Required supplemental documents may be uploaded with your application or emailed to grads@ung.edu.

Step 2Official Transcripts

Submit one set of official transcripts from each institution attended for all course work, undergraduate and graduate level.

Transfer credit posted on records of other institutions is not accepted in lieu of transcripts from original institutions. Please request a transcript from each institution attended.

Transcripts that have been opened, scanned or forwarded by email are not official and will not be accepted.

Official paper transcripts are accepted if submitted from the issuing institution and mailed to University of North Georgia Admissions Imaging Center, P.O. Box 1358, Gainesville, GA 30503-1358. Student paper transcripts are accepted only when issued to the student in a sealed envelope and submitted to Graduate Admissions unopened.

Official electronic transcripts are accepted if submitted from the issuing institution to grads@ung.edu. Depending on the transcript service you are using, grads@ung.edu may not be an available option. You may then select any admissions or undergraduate admissions @ung.edu address. Electronic transcripts forwarded via email from the student are not accepted.

International transcripts must have a course-by-course credential evaluation by an independent evaluation service that is a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services, Inc. (NACES) or Association of International Credential Evaluators, Inc. (AICE). Evaluations must be sent directly from the agency to the Admissions office. Refer to the evaluator website for a full list of NACES or AICE members. Official evaluations must include certification that the applicant's course work and degrees earned are equivalent to course work and degrees earned from an accredited institution (as defined under Accredited Institutions in the Academic Information section of the Graduate Catalog) and include a cumulative grade point average. Evaluations should be submitted from the evaluation service to Graduate Admissions. Evaluations must include certification that the applicant has received a baccalaureate from an accredited institution (as defined under Accredited Institutions in the Academic Information section of the Graduate Catalog) with a minimum grade point average of 2.75.

Graduate Admissions will retrieve transcripts of coursework completed in-residence at UNG. You do not need to order official transcripts from UNG.

Step 3Official Entrance Test Score

University of North Georgia’s institutional code is 5497 for submitting official GRE scores.

Select “University of North Georgia” for submitting official GMAT scores.

You may exempt the GRE/GMAT with evidence of a master's degree in any field from a regionally accredited institution.

Only test scores less than five years old will be considered.

Step 4Verification of Lawful Presence in the U.S.

Board of Regents’ policy requires all applicants accepted for admission or readmission to UNG seeking in-state for tuition classification provide validation of residency and lawful presence in both the state of Georgia and the United States.

Learn More

Step 5Graduate Assistants

Interested in applying for a graduate assistant position at UNG?

Visit UNG's Job Site and select Grad Assistant to view available positions.

When prompted on the Graduate Admissions application, select "Yes" to be added to our email communications about upcoming positions.

Graduate assistants are required to have health insurance. For additional information, visit USG Student Health Insurance Program (SHIP)

Non-Degree
**The MPA program is not accepting non-degree applications at this time.**

An applicant interested in taking graduate courses in public administration, but not interested in pursuing a graduate degree, may apply as a non-degree graduate student.

Requirements

Baccalaureate from an accredited institution (as defined under Accredited Institutions in the Academic Information section of the Graduate Catalog) with at least a cumulative grade point average of 2.75 (4.0 scale) calculated in accordance with Graduate Admissions procedures.

OR

Baccalaureate from an accredited institution (as defined under Accredited Institutions in the Academic Information section of the Graduate Catalog) with at least a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 (4.0 scale) calculated in accordance with Graduate Admissions procedures and an official General Record Exam (GRE) score not less than 280 (verbal and quantitative scores combined) or a score no less than 340 on the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT).

Note: Only test scores less than five years old will be considered.

All non-degree seeking students must receive pre-approval from the MPA program coordinator before enrolling in courses.

Required Supplemental Documents

A six-hundred-word personal statement describing the specific interest in the MPA degree and any background in the field of public administration.

Two UNG recommendation forms.

Non-degree students

may register for no more than nine semester hours of graduate credit.

will not be allowed to continue in the graduate level public administration courses if a grade of C or lower in any graduate course is earned.

may apply for readmission after three semesters from the date removed from the program because of a deficient grade by submitting a new application to Graduate Admissions with a letter addressed to the program coordinator requesting readmission.

are not eligible for federal financial aid.

must submit a new application to Graduate Admissions and meet all program admission requirements if the student later decides to pursue a Master of Public Administration degree at UNG.

Applying to UNG

Step 1Application and Application Fee

Step 2Official Transcripts

Step 3Verification of Lawful Presence in the U.S.

Step 4Persons Aged 62 or Over

Step 1Application and Application Fee

Submit the online application for Graduate Admissions.

Please allow three business days after submitting your application for processing. You will receive an email from grads@ung.edu after your application has been reviewed for accuracy and updated with submitted documents. Please do not check your application status prior to receiving an email from this office as your online application checklist will not accurately reflect the required items for your program of interest.

Non-refundable application fee of $40.

Pay with a credit/debit card (Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express) or electronic check (U.S. banks only) when completing the online application.

Include a check or money order payable to UNG when submitting a paper application.

Required supplemental documents may be uploaded with your application or emailed to grads@ung.edu.

Step 2Official Transcripts

Submit one set of official transcripts from each institution attended for all course work, undergraduate and graduate level.

Transfer credit posted on records of other institutions is not accepted in lieu of transcripts from original institutions. Please request a transcript from each institution attended.

Transcripts that have been opened, scanned or forwarded by email are not official and will not be accepted.

Official paper transcripts are accepted if submitted from the issuing institution and mailed to University of North Georgia Admissions Imaging Center, P.O. Box 1358, Gainesville, GA 30503-1358. Student paper transcripts are accepted only when issued to the student in a sealed envelope and submitted to Graduate Admissions unopened.

Official electronic transcripts are accepted if submitted from the issuing institution to grads@ung.edu. Depending on the transcript service you are using, grads@ung.edu may not be an available option. You may then select any admissions or undergraduate admissions @ung.edu address. Electronic transcripts forwarded via email from the student are not accepted.

International transcripts must have a course-by-course credential evaluation by an independent evaluation service that is a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services, Inc. (NACES) or Association of International Credential Evaluators, Inc. (AICE). Evaluations must be sent directly from the agency to the Admissions office. Refer to the evaluator website for a full list of NACES or AICE members. Official evaluations must include certification that the applicant's course work and degrees earned are equivalent to course work and degrees earned from an accredited institution (as defined under Accredited Institutions in the Academic Information section of the Graduate Catalog) and include a cumulative grade point average. Evaluations should be submitted from the evaluation service to Graduate Admissions. Evaluations must include certification that the applicant has received a baccalaureate from an accredited institution (as defined under Accredited Institutions in the Academic Information section of the Graduate Catalog) with a minimum grade point average of 2.75.

Graduate Admissions will retrieve transcripts of coursework completed in-residence at UNG. You do not need to order official transcripts from UNG.

Step 3Verification of Lawful Presence in the U.S.

Board of Regents’ policy requires all applicants accepted for admission or readmission to UNG seeking in-state for tuition classification provide validation of residency and lawful presence in both the state of Georgia and the United States.

Learn More

Step 4Persons Aged 62 or Over

Submit a birth certificate or Georgia driver’s license to enable UNG to determine eligibility.

Must be a resident of Georgia and 62 years of age or older at the time of registration.

May enroll as a regular or auditing student in courses on a “space available” basis without payment of fees, except for supplies, laboratory or shop fees.

Learn More

Transient
**The MPA program is not accepting transient applications at this time.**

A student currently enrolled at an accredited institution (as defined under Accredited Institutions in the Academic Information section of the Graduate Catalog) as a graduate student in good standing may apply to UNG as a transient student.

Permission to take courses does not indicate or imply subsequent admission into the program.

Students must receive pre-approval from the MPA program coordinator before enrolling in courses.

Requests will be considered on a space-available basis.

Admission is for one semester only.

Students who wish to return as a transient student for a subsequent semester must re-apply through Graduate Admissions.

Students may be required to submit an official transcript from the home institution in order to verify adequate prerequisite knowledge/skills.

Applying to UNG

Step 1Application and Application Fee

Step 2Transient Permission

Step 3Verification of Lawful Presence in the U.S.

Step 1Application and Application Fee

Submit the online application for Graduate Admissions.

Please allow three business days after submitting your application for processing. You will receive an email from grads@ung.edu after your application has been reviewed for accuracy and updated with submitted documents. Please do not check your application status prior to receiving an email from this office as your online application checklist will not accurately reflect the required items for your program of interest.

Non-refundable application fee of $40.

Pay with a credit/debit card (Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express) or electronic check (U.S. banks only) when completing the online application.

Include check or money order payable to UNG when submitting a paper application.

Step 2Transient Permission

Submit a letter of good standing or transient permission form documenting that the student is not on academic probation or suspension or on disciplinary suspension at his/her home institution.

Note: The letter or form should indicate the course(s) the student is being allowed to take at UNG.

Step 3Verification of Lawful Presence in the U.S.

Board of Regents’ policy requires all applicants accepted for admission or readmission to UNG seeking in-state for tuition classification provide validation of residency and lawful presence in both the state of Georgia and the United States.

Learn More

All International

International applicants who must be issued an F-1 visa by UNG to enter the United States to attend school may not apply for completely part-time (less than nine hours) or online programs. This program is only offered as an online program and therefore does not permit F-1 visa student admission.

Appeal of Graduate Admission
A candidate whose application is denied has the right to appeal the decision. A written letter of appeal must include strong evidence to support the basis for your appeal. The appeal should consist of information beyond what was previously submitted in your admissions file and detail your ability to be successful in graduate studies.

Students whose appeals are granted will be admitted as provisional students.

Students are not eligible for financial aid while taking courses under a provisional admission status.

Students may not appeal for regular admission.

Email your letter of appeal as a pdf attachment to grads@ung.edu.

Start Your Application Graduate Admissions Tuition Estimator

MPA Program Curriculum

This 36 credit hour program (9 credit hours per semester) can be completed in two years. However, the majority of students in the program are working professionals enrolled part-time; they generally take three to three and a half years to complete the requirements for their degree.

The program offers eight core classes and four electives in our Public Affairs concentration. Our curriculum enhances theoretical and practical skills in the areas of public policy and public administration. You will learn about: public budgeting, public financing, the legal and ethical environment of public administration, how to conduct applied research, and so much more. We prepare you to become leaders in the public and human service settings and to lead and manage public and non-profit organizations.

Core Courses ( 24 credit hours)

Electives (12 credit hours)

Tentative Course Schedule

Any schedule of courses must be understood to be tentative, in that university authorities reserve the right to cancel courses because of inadequate enrollment, the need to staff other necessary functions, etc. On a semester-to-semester basis, the best way to ensure that the course you want to take will not be canceled is by pre-registering for it.

Overview

The schedule may change as circumstances necessitate. All of the MPA courses are taught fully online.

Research Practicum (POLS 7500) requires prerequisites of Foundations of Public Administration (POLS 7202) and Research Methods for Public Administration (POLS 7400). The Capstone Seminar (POLS 7410) must be taken after the other core courses have been completed or during the same semester as the last core courses are being completed. Students should note that core courses are scheduled during the summer term and should plan accordingly. Refer to the university's academic calendar for information on starting and ending dates of semesters and sessions, deadlines for withdrawing with a “W" mark, etc.

2024

Fall 2024

POLS 6106 State & Local Government
POLS 7202 Foundations of Public Administration
POLS 7320 Public Policy Analysis
POLS 7380 Public Personnel Administration
POLS 7400 Research Methods for Public Administration

2025

Spring 2025

7410 Capstone Seminar in Public Administration
7300 Public Budgeting
7200 Leadership & Organizational Theory
7900 Special Topics - Welfare Policy

Summer 2025

7670 Collaboration
7890 Public Management
7900 Special Topics - Big Data in Public Administration

Fall 2025

6106 State and Local Government
7202 Foundations of Public Administration
7320 Public Policy Analysis
7380 Public Personnel Administration
7400 Research Methods for Public Administration

2026

Spring 2026

7410 Capstone Seminar in Public Administration
7203 Organizational Theory
7300 Public Budgeting

Summer 2026*

Fall 2026*

7380 Public Personnel Administration
7400 Research Methods for Public Administration

*When new course information is available, it will be updated here.

About Our Graduate Assistantship

The MPA program offers one graduate assistantship annually that serve either as teaching assistants, research assistants or service assistants. Graduate assistants receive a tuition waiver and are paid a stipend.

Graduate Assistant Information Graduate Assistant Application

Questions?

For questions about the program, contact:

Luisa M. Diaz-Kope, Ph.D.
Program Coordinator
luisa.diazkope@ung.edu
706-864-1699

For questions about the application process, contact:
Graduate Admissions
grads@ung.edu
706-864-1543

Public Administration (MPA)

MPA Program Quick Facts

Program Application Deadlines

Fall Deadline

Spring Deadline

Summer Deadline

How to Apply to UNG's MPA Program

Requirements

Applying to UNG

Step 1Application and Application Fee

Step 2Official Transcripts

Step 3Verification of Lawful Presence in the U.S.

Step 4Graduate Assistants

Requirements

Applying to UNG

Step 1Application and Application Fee

Step 2Official Transcripts

Step 3Official Entrance Test Score

Step 4Verification of Lawful Presence in the U.S.

Step 5Graduate Assistants

Requirements

Non-degree students

Applying to UNG

Step 1Application and Application Fee

Step 2Official Transcripts

Step 3Verification of Lawful Presence in the U.S.

Step 4Persons Aged 62 or Over

Applying to UNG

Step 1Application and Application Fee

Step 2Transient Permission

Step 3Verification of Lawful Presence in the U.S.

MPA Program Curriculum

Core Courses ( 24 credit hours)

Electives (12 credit hours)

Tentative Course Schedule

Overview

2024

Fall 2024

2025

Spring 2025

Summer 2025

Fall 2025

2026

Spring 2026

Summer 2026*

Fall 2026*

About Our Graduate Assistantship

Questions?