Public Administration, MPA

Vision Statement

The mission of the Master of Public Administration program is to strengthen the public service in a democratic and diverse society by educating students to manage and lead public and nonprofit institutions effectively, ethically and democratically.

Program Contact Information

James Harrold, PhD, Advisor
402.554.6702
jharrold@unomaha.edu

Program Website

Other Program Related Information

Fast Track Program

The School of Public Administration has developed a Fast Track program for highly qualified and motivated students providing the opportunity to complete a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in an accelerated time frame. With Fast Track, students may count up to nine (9) graduate hours toward the completion of their undergraduate program as well as the graduate degree program.

Program Specifics:

• This program is available for undergraduate students pursuing any of the following who wish to pursue a Master of Public Administration degree:
  • Students majoring in emergency management from the UNO School of Public Administration 
  • Students pursuing the Bachelor of Multidisciplinary Studies
• Students should have senior status and must be within at least 30 undergraduate credits yet to complete their undergraduate degree. Exceptional students who do not meet this requirement may be considered.
• Students must have a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.5.
• Students must complete the Fast-Track Approval form and obtain all signatures and submit to the Office of Graduate Studies prior to first enrollment in a graduate course
• Students will work with their undergraduate advisor to register for the graduate courses.
• Students must consult with the MPA advisor prior to enrollment in one of the courses listed below.
• A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 is required to remain in good standing.
• Students remain undergraduates until they meet all the requirements for the undergraduate degree and are eligible for all rights and privileges granted undergraduate status including financial aid.
• Near the end of the undergraduate program, formal application to the MPA program is required. The application fee will be waived, the applicant will need to contact the Office of Graduate Studies for a fee waiver code.
  • Admission to Fast Track does NOT guarantee admission to the graduate program. 
  • For this program, if students maintain at least a grade of B+ in courses taken, they will be recommended for admission to the MPA program.
  • The admit term must be after the completion term of the undergraduate degree.

The following courses may be taken under the Fast-Track program:

• PA 8050: Foundations of Public Service
• PA 8090: Organizational Theory and Behavior
• PA 8100: Advanced Management and Leadership for Public and Nonprofit Organizations (Note: This course may only be taken if both PA 8050 and PA 8090 are completed).

Admissions

General Application Requirements and Admission Criteria

Program-Specific Requirements

Application Deadlines (Spring 2025, and Fall 2025)

• Fall: June 1
• Spring: October 1

Other Requirements

• The general prerequisite for admission to the MPA program is a four-year bachelors’ degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA in the junior and senior years (last 50-60 credit hours)
• English Language Proficiency:  Applicants are required to have a command of oral and written English. Those who do not hold a baccalaureate or other advanced degree from the United States, OR a baccalaureate or other advanced degree from a predetermined country on the waiver list, must meet the minimum language proficiency score requirement in order to be considered for admission.
  • Internet-based TOEFL: 80, IELTS: 6.5, PTE: 53, Duolingo: 110 
• Statement of Purpose/Admissions Essay: The essay should be two to four pages (doubled-spaced) and answer the following questions:
  • Please tell us about the factors in your background that will help us understand your interest in a profession in the public or nonprofit sectors.
  • What are your professional goals? Ten years from now, what do you hope to be doing professionally?
  • How can an MPA from UNO help you to achieve these goals?
• Resume
• Letters of Recommendation: Two letters of recommendation are required

Generally, students will be admitted unconditionally if they have a strong undergraduate record, demonstrate good communication skills in their admission essay, receive favorable recommendations, and have goals consistent with the mission of the MPA program.

Degree Requirements

¹

Must maintain a grade point average (gpa) of 3.2 or above during the first twelve (12) hours of public administration coursework in PA 8050, PA 8090, PA 8100 and PA 8120. Provisional students can earn no grade below a "B" in the first twelve (12) hours of coursework or the student will be dismissed or placed on academic probation. A grade of "C-" or below results in automatic dismissal.

Exit Requirements

• Capstone - 3 hours PA 8990 

MPA General Electives

Students must complete six hours of elective courses. Any 8000 level public administration course may be taken as an elective (other than the required core and concentration classes). Courses from other departments may also be used as elective courses, but require approval in advance. Students are encouraged to speak with their advisor to select courses.

MPA Specializations

Criminology and Criminal Justice Specialization

Other graduate courses in criminology & criminal justice may be appropriate depending upon the student’s interests and background. CRCJ 8090 is not recommended.

Information Management Specialization

Please note: A module needs to be complete prior to enrolling in the specialization courses.

Concentrations

Nonprofit Management Concentration

Public Management Concentration

Public and Social Policy Concentration