MPA Master's


Program Description

The Master of Public Administration program at Indiana State University has served the people of Indiana, as well as students throughout the United States and around the world, since 1976.  It has a number of distinguished alumni that have advanced in a variety of fields, including elected officials, prominent government officials, non-profit leaders, health care executives, and first responders. In addition to the MPA program, we offer two 12 credit-hour online certificate programs: a graduate certificate in public administration and a graduate certificate in public personnel administration. Additionally, there are options to receive a dual master’s degree in criminology/criminal justice, as well as to complete MPA concentrations in non-profit management, public policy, criminology/criminal justice, human resource development and public health.

The program can be completed 100% on-line through distance courses, although we offer hybrid and in-person sections for many of our classes to serve a full range of learning styles. Regardless of the format, our faculty strives to use different activities and technology to create a highly interactive learning community that allows students to benefit from each other’s education and experiences. The faculty bring diverse professional expertise to their courses in areas including program evaluation, public personnel management, health care and public health policy, academic and applied research, non-profit management, and public lands management.

A unifying theme of MPA course work is a focus on sustainability in its various forms, including:

  • Conservation of the environment, particularly public lands
  • Sustaining public and non-profit organization by promoting responsible budgeting practices; successful recruiting, training, and retaining of personnel; and encouraging effective organizational change
  • Community resilience, including the promotion of effective economic development, environmental protection, government operations, and affordable housing
  • Promoting policy that incorporates One Health principles and recognizes the vital connections between human health, animal health, and environmental conditions.