Public Administration, MPA

Overview

The UCF Master of Public Administration program prepares students to confront and solve complex societal challenges. Building from a supportive and diverse environment, the program transforms students into effective and ethical public sector professionals skilled in cultural competence, strategic management, techniques of policy and financial analysis, and effective communication necessary to excel in all areas of government service and enhance the university’s collective impact on the community it serves, globally defined.

Program Requirements

The MPA program curriculum consists of 42 credits. Students complete a core of nine courses (27 credits), an advanced curriculum of four courses (12 credits), and a capstone experience equivalent to one course (3 credits). Students must achieve a minimum grade of 3.0 (“B”) for each core class and the capstone experience, and they must maintain an overall program grade point average of 3.0.

For more information, please visit the UCF Graduate Catalog.

Cost

The total cost of the MPA program for an in-state student is $15,525, including tuition ($12,102) and fees ($3,422). For out-of-state students, the total cost is $50,150 ($45,079 tuition; $5,071 fees). Additional costs may be added and tuition is subject to change. For complete information, see UCF Tuition and Fees.

Financial Aid

Financial Aid is available to students through the UCF Financial Aid Office. For graduate students, the opportunities for assistantships can also be found in the UCF Graduate Catalog.

Certificates

Students accepted into a graduate program within the School of Public Administration may apply some applicable credits toward a graduate certificate. Students must apply separately for the certificate program. View the graduate certificates offered by the School of Public Administration.

Application and Admission

Applications are accepted in the fall and spring semesters. Apply online through the College of Graduate Studies.

Note: The Graduate Record Examination is not required except for those students wishing to compete for a fellowship.

To be considered for admission, the following documentation must be on file with UCF by the appropriate application deadline date:

• Undergraduate transcripts, and
• Graduate transcripts (if another graduate degree in a related field has been completed), and
• Supporting documents:
  – Resume
  – Statement of Interest
  – Three letters of recommendation from professors or professional individuals

The MPA program typically admits students with an undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0, depending on space availability; those whose undergraduate degree is still in progress may be admitted conditionally until the transcript is provided showing the final undergraduate GPA. Students with GPA below 3.0 may be offered a provisional admission, provided their portfolio demonstrates considerable promise for success.

Faculty