Master of Public Administration

MISSION STATEMENT

The mission of the Master of Public Administration program is to strengthen public decision making and the delivery of public services in a globalized and diverse society by educating students to lead and manage organizations at all levels of government and nonprofit institutions ethically, democratically, and effectively.

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

The MPA at UTA is the largest enrolled accredited program in Texas and #15 in the USA with good reason. All three MPA programs for a masters are campus, online, and a city cohort. Our MPA programs are fully accredited by NASPAA - the international accreditation body for the MPA. Set in the dynamic Dallas-Forth Worth region, the on-campus and accelerated online programs offer tremendous opportunities for practice and learning. The unique intermix of city planning, public policy, and architecture in the program’s home college (CAPPA) creates significant unique opportunities for students to co-create urban, ecological, and social fabrics.

Program Director: Dr. David Coursey

MPA Graduate Job Industry Examples from AY 21-22 Graduates (75 total)

• Local/Regional Government (35)
• Nonprofits (9)
• Private Sector (9)
• State government (6)
• Military (3)
• International government (1)
• Unemployed (1 seeking employment)
• Further education (1)
• Unknown (10)

*Most of our students have existing jobs and obtain the degree towards seeking increased career opportunities.

As of Fall 2023, there were 180 students in the MPA program (26 campus, 108 online, and 46 city cohort) with approximately 90% part-time students (viz., taking fewer than 9 hours a semester). This makes UTA the 15th largest MPA U.S. program. For the 109 AY 17-18 initially enrolled students, 44% completed the degree within two years, 77% in 3 years, and 79% in 4-years (and 84% later or still in the program). Since AY16-17, the programs have been restructured to better fit part-time students such that expected graduation timelines are shorter. A part-time student can finish the campus or accelerated online program in 6-7 semesters and, using summer classes, as early as two calendar years. In Fall 2023, 72% of classes were taught by full-time faculty and 93% in Spring 2024.

UTA MPA Graduate Median Salaries for Texas Residents reported by SeekUT:
$75,000: one-year post-graduation
$85,000: five years post-graduation
$109,000: ten years post-graduation

The 10-year median is the second highest among all UT-system MPA/MPP/MPPA (UT-Austin is first at $110,000) and first in MPA specifically by $15,000 – Source: SeekUT.utsystem.edu

ADMISSION INFORMATION

For more information about our graduate programs, please complete the information request form or email info@pad.uta.edu

There are two different application forms depending on whether you are interested in the campus or online program. For more admission information, review the Admissions Process form.