Master of Public Administration (MPA)
Where theory meets practical application
Our Master of Public Administration (MPA) provides you with the relevant knowledge and necessary skills to address public and community service challenges in all levels of government and nonprofit organizations.
What sets our MPA students apart is their motivation and passion for finding innovative solutions to community problems. NDNU’s MPA program focuses on practical skills, such as leading teams and staff, managing budgets, evaluating programs, policy analysis, and shaping institutional culture. Our commitment is to ensure you develop those skills essential to managing success in today’s public service environment.
36 Unit (12 Course) Program
CORE
FOUNDATIONAL
- Organizational / Management Theory
- Intro Public Administration
- Community-based Research
ANALYTICAL
- Governmental Budget / Finance
- GIS/Spatial Analysis
- Public Policy (Capstone)
POLICY
Students select 3 courses from a list of specialized electives through which they learn how to make and propose policies involving participants with different roles, interests, and resources emerge in response to demands made, or unmet constituent needs.
PRACTICE
Students select 3 courses from a list of specialized electives that promote experiential learning from experts and practitioners on how to assess and implement solutions for problems affecting communities.
DISTINCTIONS
OF THE NDNU MPA
- Earn your accredited MPA degree within 18 months.
- Evening classes offered in 8-week sessions.
- Most textbooks included at no additional cost.
- Real-time engagement with instructors and classmates.
- Develop skills and techniques from interpreting finances to creating cost-benefit analyses to increasing operational efficiencies.
- Blended mix of in-person and online learning.
- Campus located in mid-peninsula in Belmont, CA and serving the greater Bay Area region.
- No GMAT required for admission.