For those looking to turn compassion into action, public service may be your calling. At the UCF School of Public Administration, our students are driven by a deep sense of purpose: to make a difference, uplift others and create stronger communities. Whether you’re preparing to lead in government, nonprofits, urban planning, emergency management, or public policy, you’ll join peers who share a commitment to making life better for everyone.

You’ll also learn from some of the most accomplished faculty in the field — nationally recognized experts, top-published researchers and former practitioners who bring real-world experience into every class. Their leadership is one reason we’re ranked among the best in the nation by U.S. News & World Report.

With undergraduate, master's, and doctoral degrees, plus certificates and dual degree options, we offer flexible programs to match your future career goals. Whether you're online or at UCF Downtown, you’ll get the support and hands-on experience you need to build the career you want.

Join our network of more than 5,000 alumni who are leading with purpose, in Florida and across the globe.

USN Badge Grad Schools Public Affairs 2026
No. 1

in Graduate Emergency and Crisis Management
(U.S. News & World Report, 2026)

6

National Academy of Public Administration (NAPA) Fellows on Faculty

No. 16

in Nonprofit Management
(U.S. News & World Report 2026)

No. 20

in Local Government Management
(U.S. News & World Report, 2026)

No. 23

in Public Finance and Budgeting
(U.S. News & World Report, 2026)

No. 47

in Public Affairs
(U.S. News & World Report, 2026)

Upcoming Events

You're invited to a virtual open house with the MECM Program Director, and Academic Advisor. Join us to get answers to your most frequently asked questions about the program curriculum, application requirements, and more.
You're invited to a virtual open house with the MSURP Program Director, and Academic Advisor . Join us to get answers to your most frequently asked questions about the program curriculum, application requirements, and more.
You're invited to a virtual open house with the PhD in Public Affairs Program Director, and Academic Coordinator as we prepare for the Fall 2027 admission cycle. Join us to get answers to your most frequently asked questions about the…

In the News

Kaylie Savitz

UCF Emergency Management Alum’s Career Takes Flight with JetBlue

When the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted her plans to become a commercial pilot, Kaylie Savitz ’22MECM charted a new course — preparing JetBlue to navigate emergencies and keep operations moving in the sky and on the ground...
Staci Zavatarro

UCF Expert Explores the Evolution of Cemeteries in Deathcare

UCF Professor Staci Zavatarro, the university’s inaugural Big 12 Faculty Fellowship recipient, demystifies the public management of death — and the innovation within cemeteries and other deathcare alternatives...

UCF Honors 8 Trailblazing Faculty with 2026 Luminary Awards

The honorees are advancing discovery across fields ranging from transportation safety and quantum science to tourism, disaster resilience and emerging technology...

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Inside the Nation’s No. 1 Emergency Management Program

As relentless disasters test communities nationwide, UCF leads the way in shaping strategies and preparing a workforce to keep people safe and systems strong ...
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