Master of Public Administration
Achieve your public service career goals
Northern Arizona University’s Master of Public Administration (MPA) program combines rigorous courses and hands-on learning experiences to prepare you for leadership or management positions in the public and not-for-profit job sectors.
Our mission
The mission of the Northern Arizona University Master of Public Administration Program is to educate and empower public servants who advance responsive, ethical, and innovative governance in Arizona’s communities. Serving both pre-service and mid-career professionals, the program prepares leaders for careers in state, local, tribal, and nonprofit organizations through a curriculum that integrates theory, practice, and public service values. We are dedicated to fostering professional excellence, strengthening public institutions, and equipping graduates to collaboratively address the evolving challenges facing communities across Arizona, the nation, and beyond.
To learn more about how to get started, please join us at one of our Information Sessions.
Applied Indigenous Studies partnership
If you are interested in tribal government and administration, our geographical proximity to a number of indigenous nations provides access to educational resources and opportunities that are not available at most other institutions.
Also, we have a unique and innovative partnership with the Department of Applied Indigenous Studies that allows you to concurrently complete a certificate program in Indigenous and Tribal Nation-Building, Leadership, Management, and Administration.
NAU’s MPA program is a NASPAA member institution.
The MPA program is accredited by Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NAASPA), which is the global standard in public service education. It is the membership and accreditation organization of graduate education programs in public policy, public affairs, public administration, and public and nonprofit management. Its nearly 300 members — located across the U.S. and in 14 countries around the globe — award MPA, MPP, MPAff and similar degrees
Learn more about our Master of Public Administration degree.
Program Structure
The MPA Program at Northern Arizona University is housed within the Department of Politics and International Affairs in the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences.