Masters in Public Administration
A PROGRAM FOR FUTURE LEADERS
If you’re seeking a career in public service or nonprofit management, then Hawaiʻi Pacific University’s Masters in Public Administration (MPA) program is the choice for you! An innovative course design and program partnerships will empower you to live, work, and learn in an ever-changing global society. Innovative course design and related program partnerships provide both in-person and distance learning course delivery alternatives that empower our students to live, work, and learn in an ever-changing global society. The Graduate Certificates in specific high-demand skill sets focus on the expansion of detailed practical knowledge that is critical for advancement to leadership roles in public and social services.
Become a leader ready to take on the professional world within 1 year if you take 2 courses each in the 8-week terms. Add one of the subject matter expert Graduate Certificate to your core MPA degree to build your personal future career pathway.
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Can Be Completed in 12 Months
8-Week Class Schedule
In-Person and Online
Learn by doing with Skills-Based Learning
The mission of HPU’s MPA program is to provide students, especially non-traditional students, with career options and occupation opportunities in federal, state, city, and local governments, as well as nonprofit organizations. We focus on both formal and practical study of executive management and specific skill sets that are in high demand in the workforce. While we recognize the need for flexibility for the busy lifestyles of today’s students we safeguard academic integrity for student success. Students will be prepared to serve as supervisors, managers, and leaders anywhere in the public service domain.
Complete Your Degree Your Way
MPA
Our MPA program is a one-year accelerated program offered both online and in-person. The degree is a fixed curriculum of 12 courses. Students take two courses per term, in six 8-week terms.
MPA+
The MPA+ option allows students to add a four-course Graduate Certificate essential for subject-matter experts. Government student aid will carry over for the additional courses if the student is registered in MPA+.
CURRICULUM & COURSES TAILORED TO CAREER PATHWAYS
- Classes geographically positioned in downtown Honolulu close to government career centers.
- Complete core MPA courses within 1 year (six 8-week terms)
- Flexible – Courses offered in complete online, seated or hybrid formats.
- Choice of one additional Graduate Certificate in a "subject-matter" expert skill-set.
- Access to several topical and current publications in Public Administration.
- Approved for VA benefits
- Graduates prepared for management level jobs in federal, state or local government agencies, or any other nonprofit organizations.
- 36 - 48 credits
- $982 per credit hour*
- $475 per credit hour, Active Duty Members
- $650 per credit hour, Military Dependents, Military Retirees, DoD Civilians
*AY24-25 tuition rate, hpu.edu/tuition
View estimated cost of attendance, hpu.edu/costs
Fall Semester
Fall 1st 8-week term (6 credits)
- PADM 6000 - Public Administration and Public Service
- PADM 6400 – U.S. Public Policy
Fall 2nd 8-week term (6 credits)
- PADM 6100 – Public Personnel Management
- CJ 6700 – Leadership and Ethics
Spring 1st 8-week term (6 credits)
- PADM 6300 - Statistical Analysis for Effective Decision Marketing
- CJ 6710 - Civil Liability and Civil Rights Challenges
Spring 2nd 8-week term (6 credits)
- PADM 6500 - Economics For Decision-Makers
- PADM 6510 - Public Finance
Summer 1st 8-Week term (6 credits)
- CJ 6750 – Administrative and Constitutional Procedures for Professionals
- PADM 7001 – Research Methods and Designs
Summer 2nd 8-Week term (6 credits)
- PADM 6250 – Fundamentals of Public Budgeting
- PADM 7002 – Capstone in Public Admin
Spring Entry
Spring 1st 8-week term (6 credits)
- PADM 6300 - Statistical Analysis for Effective Decision Marketing
- CJ 6710 - Civil Liability and Civil Rights Challenges
Spring 2nd 8-week term (6 credits)
- PADM 6500 - Economics For Decision-Makers
- PADM 6510 - Public Finance
Summer 1st 8-Week term (6 credits)
- CJ 6750 – Administrative and Constitutional Procedures for Professionals
- PADM 6000 – Public Administration and Public Service
Summer 2nd 8-Week term (6 credits)
- PADM 6250 – Fundamentals of Public Budgeting
- PADM 6100 – Public Personnel Management
Fall 1st 8-week term (6 credits)
- PADM 7001 - Research Methods and Designs
- PADM 6400 – U.S. Public Policy
Fall 2nd 8-week term (6 credits)
- PADM 7002 – Capstone in Public Admin
- CJ 6700 – Leadership and Ethics
Summer Entry
Summer 1st 8-Week term (6 credits)
- CJ 6750 – Administrative and Constitutional Procedures for Professionals
- PADM 6000 – Public Administration and Public Service
Summer 2nd 8-Week term (6 credits)
- PADM 6250 – Fundamentals of Public Budgeting
- PADM 6300 – Statistical Analysis for Effective Decision Marketing
Fall 1st 8-week term (6 credits)
- PADM 7001 - Research Methods and Designs
- PADM 6400 – U.S. Public Policy
Fall 2nd 8-week term (6 credits)
- PADM 6100 – Public Personnel Management
- CJ 6700 – Leadership and Ethics
Spring 1st 8-week term (6 credits)
- PADM 6500 - Economics For Decision-Makers
- CJ 6710 - Civil Liability and Civil Rights Challenges
Spring 2nd 8-week term (6 credits)
- PADM 7002 - Capstone in Public Admin
- PADM 6510 - Public Finance
Courses for the Certificates are offered only once per year two courses in each term:
Graduate Certificates in Fall Term A & B:
- Budgeting and Financial Management
- Public Service Management (for State & Local Government)
Graduate Certificates in Spring Term A & B:
- Criminal Justice Administration
- Ethics for Public Service
Graduate Certificate in Summer Term A & B:
- Nonprofit Management
CHECK OUT MPA + Approved Graduate CERTIFICATE Options
Criminal Justice
This certificate provides students with additional knowledge, skills, and competencies necessary for subject-matter experts to be successful in the management and supervision of law enforcement and judicial organizations.
Nonprofit Management
This program of study promotes the highest standards of ethics and accountability in nonprofit governance and management. Students are introduced to the nonprofit sector as an economic driver.
Public Service Management
This certificate provides additional knowledge, skills, and competencies necessary for subject-matter experts to be successful professional civil servants in managing and supervising public programs in state and local offices and agencies.
Ethics In Public Service
This certificate program promotes the highest standards of ethics and accountability in management. Topics include urban planning, evidenced-based program evaluation, performance management, and the delivery of services, and special topics on contemporary issues affecting the quality of government service delivery.
Public Budgeting and Financial Management
Students gain additional knowledge, skills, and competencies necessary for subject-matter experts to be successful in budgeting and financial management and supervision in public programs and agencies.
More Info
Certificates are also available to anyone outside of the MPA+ program as stand-alone (HPU transcribed) Graduate Certificates as long as they have an undergraduate degree. They are also available for other graduate students at HPU such as public health, social work and business.
Apply to Earn your MPA at Hawaiʻi Pacific University
Admissions requirements:
- Apply online hpu.edu/apply ($55 app fee)
- Official transcript/s (bachelor’s degree or higher)
- Resume
- English proficiency score report required for International applicants. More information can be found online at hpu.edu/gradintl
Optional:
- Personal Statement/Essay
- Letters of Recommendation