Public Administration (MPA)

Master of Public Administration 
Unit: College of Arts and Sciences (GA)
Department: Urban and Public Affairs 
Program Website 
Academic Plan Code(s): PADMMPA, PADMMPADML, PADMMPANPM, PADMMPAURG

Program Information

General Information

The Master of Public Administration (MPA) Program at the University of Louisville is central to the University's urban/metropolitan mission. The academic curriculum provides students with a solid foundation in public and nonprofit administration and prepares graduates for placement and advancement in public, private and nonprofit sector careers. The MPA faculty also advances knowledge in the field of public administration through their theoretical and applied research. The MPA is fully accredited by the National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration.

The MPA requires 42 credit hours for completion. A student can enroll on either a part-time or full-time basis. Classes are offered in formats and at times that accommodate students who work full time. Traditional classes are offered Monday through Thursday, one evening a week, from 5:30 until 8:15 PM. Hybrid-distance courses have fewer classroom meetings. Some courses are offered entirely online.

The program includes faculty from various disciplines and is aimed at providing recent college graduates, public sector practitioners, and persons in related fields with a mix of theoretical knowledge and applied skills. The degree program is available to qualified individuals holding a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university. No specific undergraduate major is required; however, coursework in economics and political science at the undergraduate level is helpful.

Dual Degree Programs

MUP/MA Programs

The Master in Public Administration Program offers dual degree programs with the Master in Urban Planning and the Master of Arts in Art (Creative) and Art History (Concentration in Critical and Curatorial Studies). For more information about the two dual programs please go to the program webpage.

MUP/MPA Programs

The Master in Public Administration Program offers dual degree programs with the Master in Urban Planning and the Master of Public Administration. For more information about the two dual programs please go to the program webpage.

Admission Requirements

The procedures for admission to the MPA program are as follows:

1. Submit a completed online graduate application to the University of Louisville, Graduate School. Program candidates may be admitted for fall, spring or summer semesters.
2. Official transcripts verifying the receipt of a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution must be submitted to the Graduate School.
3. A written personal statement is required. The statement should indicate why the applicant wishes to pursue the MPA degree.
4. Two letters of recommendation are required. Normally, at least one letter should be from someone who can comment on the applicant's academic performance.
5. All applicants for whom English is a second language must also submit official TOEFL scores of 79 or higher on the internet-based test, 213 or higher on the computer-based test. English proficiency can also be met by submitting official IELTS scores of at least 6.5 overall band score from the academic module exam or official Duolingo overall score of 105.  Students holding a bachelor's or advanced degree from an accredited institution in the United States may be exempt from this requirement.

Program Requirements

The MPA requires 36 credit hours for completion: a core curriculum of 21 credit hours, three (3) credit hours of practicum internship or thesis, and twelve (12) credit hours from one of the three areas of concentration.

MPA students may choose three (3) credit hours of elective credits from among all PADM (Public Administration) or PLAN (Planning) courses. Students in dual degree programs requiring a thesis or internship may only be required to take three (3) credit hours of PADM 682 Practicum/Internship.

MPA Areas of Concentration

MPA Students complete twelve (12) credit hours from one of the three areas see Concentration Requirements.

MPA Areas of Concentration

MPA Students complete twelve (12) credit hours from one of the three areas of emphasis below:

Urban Governance (PADMMPAURG)

​Nonprofit Management (PADMMPANPM)

Diversity Management and Leadership (PADMMPADML)