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.

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

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.

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.

 

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

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

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