Public Administration (MPA)

Connect With The Community Through Public Service With an MPA Degree

Investing in a Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree inspires students to become better leaders ” creating expansive opportunities for themselves and the public service they provide. Whether students take courses on campus or through the online MPA program, their coursework covers a wide range of topics ” incorporating service learning, providing real-world experiences, developing community partnerships and cultivating leadership skills. With a focus on strategic planning, public policy, organizational management, financial management and more, students graduate prepared for a rewarding career in public administration or the opportunity to advance in their current position.

Over the next decade, the need for skilled public administration professionals will continue to grow within a number of industries, including finance and insurance, scientific and technical services, state and federal governments, nonprofits, educational services and healthcare. UCF™s MPA degree is accredited by the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs and Administration (NASPAA) and nationally ranked by U.S. News & World Report ” making it a top-rated program for those looking to continue their education.

Public Administration MPA “ Criminal Justice MS Dual Degree Track
Gain the analytical skills and knowledge necessary for holding leadership positions within the public administration and criminal justice fields through this track ” earning two graduate degrees concurrently.

Public Administration MPA “ Nonprofit Management MNM Dual Degree Track
Earn two graduate degree programs through this track ” focusing on the relationship between nonprofit management and public administration through research, theory, policy and organizational administration.

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited U.S. institution recognized by UCF or its equivalent from a foreign institution AND a GPA of 3.0 or more (on a 4.0 maximum) in all work attempted while registered as an undergraduate student OR while registered as an upper-division undergraduate student (normally based on the last sixty attempted semester hours); OR, a graduate degree or professional degree or equivalent from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or its equivalent from a foreign institution in a field related to the discipline of the program to which the student is applying.
• Students applying to doctoral programs should refer to the graduate catalog requirements for their program.
• Students applying to doctoral programs must also submit three letters of recommendation, a resume or curriculum vitae, and a written essay.
• International students must demonstrate their proficiency in the English language. International students, except those who are from countries where English is the only official language, those who have earned a degree from a regionally accredited U.S. college or university, or those who have earned a degree from a country where English is the only official language or from a university at which English is the only official language of instruction, are required to submit a score on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or IELTS before they can be admitted to the university. A computer-based TOEFL score of 220 or 80 on the internet-based TOEFL (or equivalent score on the paper-based test) or 6.5 on the IELTS is required unless otherwise specified by the program.
• International students applying to master’s or doctoral programs that do not require a GRE (or GMAT), except those that have earned or will earn a Masters or Doctoral degree from an accredited U.S. institution recognized by UCF, must submit a course-by-course evaluation of their official transcripts from a credential evaluation service recommended by UCF. This course-by-course evaluation must show a GPA that is equivalent to a 3.0 from an earned degree that is equivalent to a U.S. bachelor’s degree.
• UCF now accepts scanned copies of official transcripts as part of your application materials. You will have the ability to upload these materials during the application process. After you have been offered admission to a graduate program and prior to the beginning of the semester term, you will be required to submit your official transcripts. When obtaining official transcripts, be sure to request that the transcripts show the degrees you have earned.

• those who are from countries where English is the only official language;
• those who have earned a degree from a regionally accredited U.S. college or university;
• those who have earned a degree from a country where English is the only official language;
• those who have earned a degree from a university at which English is the only official language of instruction; or
• those who have successfully completed UCF English Language Institute Level 8 or higher with a grade of “B” or better at UCF Global.