International students can study the Public Administration at Northeastern University across its Boston and Online campuses in United States of America. This Master degree is available as a Full Time program delivered on campus in English. The program has a duration of 2 years and is offered across its Boston and Online campuses. Students can apply for the next intake starting on January 1, 2027.

About Master of Public Administration

The Master of Public Administration program has been forming leaders in the public and nonprofit sectors since 1969. The program is the management and leadership degree for those seeking to serve the public good. It equips its students with skills in policy analysis, program evaluation, research methods, and written and verbal communications. Students also develop competencies in budgeting and human resources, organizational management and leadership, and the interplay between ethics and accountability in a diverse society. Throughout the degree program, students gain career-oriented experience through internships, small group projects, and other interactions with professionals in the field. These experiences are designed to enable the Northeastern MPA graduate to move into a wide array of public and nonprofit sector positions at the local, state, national, and international levels. MPA students can add a graduate certificate to their degree to demonstrate specialized training in the nonprofit sector, urban analytics, urban studies, or public policy analysis. Courses taken to complete a certificate also count as MPA elective credits.

Additionally, students can concentrate in healthcare management and policy to equip themselves to better assess and act within today's complicated healthcare sector. Courses in health management, health policy, and an elective comprise the concentration.

Please visit the Master of Public Administration (MPA) site to learn more about the program and download a free brochure.

More Details

Unique Features

Acquire hands-on experience through capstone projects, on-campus research labs and centers, and real-world work opportunities. A recent capstone group of students had the opportunity to create an innovative proposal addressing the needs of a local economic development agency. They earned second place at the 16th Annual Affordable Housing Development Competition.
Students can participate in a one-semester exchange program with the University of Amsterdam’s Urban Studies Research master’s program.
Students can conduct research outside of the classroom at The Dukakis Center for Urban and Regional Policy, Resilient Cities Lab, Boston Area Research Initiative, and The Social Impact Lab.
Students can earn a graduate certificate at no additional cost in these focus areas: nonprofit sector, public policy analysis, urban analytics, and urban studies.
Optional Concentration in Healthcare Management and Policy
This graduate concentration is available to students in the Masters of Public Administration program in the School of Public Policy and Urban Affairs. It is designed to enable students to develop a deeper understanding of the contemporary healthcare sector, including the intricacies of U.S. health policy and competencies in healthcare management. The concentration comprises three courses, one from each of three focus areas: health management, health policy, and health elective.

Accreditation Description

The MPA program at Northeastern University is accredited by the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA), the membership association of graduate programs in public administration, public policy, public affairs, and public and nonprofit management.

Program Objectives

The MPA program is directed toward developing the analytical, conceptual, and practical competencies required for successful careers in public administration. The ultimate goal is to prepare students to be effective in a dynamic and increasingly diverse professional environment. This includes assisting students in every possible way to secure internships, post-graduate employment, and overall career advancement.

Career Outlook

Our MPA graduates are empowered to make a difference across disciplines and around the world. They leave Northeastern with the theoretical and fundamental understanding needed to transition into their careers and to immediately participate in and contribute to the policy process in their chosen field. Our graduates go on to careers as town administrators, management analysts, research analysts, and program directors. A recent survey of MPA alumni concluded that 24% of recent graduates are working the nonprofit sector, 38% in the public sector, and 21% in the private sector.

The Master of Public Administration program is the management and leadership degree for those seeking to serve the public good. Courses are offered on campus and online and prepare students to innovate in a diverse range of fields. Students participate in interdisciplinary work and applied research with government and community partners, create social change, and address the emerging challenges affecting the quality of life in cities. To learn more about the program and download a free brochure, please visit the Master of Public Administration (MPA) site.

Acquire hands-on experience through capstone projects, on-campus research labs and centers, and real-world work opportunities. A recent capstone group of students had the opportunity to create an innovative proposal addressing the needs of a local economic development agency. They earned second place at the 16th Annual Affordable Housing Development Competition.
Students can participate in a one-semester exchange program with the University of Amsterdam’s Urban Studies Research master’s program.
Students can conduct research outside of the classroom at The Dukakis Center for Urban and Regional Policy, Resilient Cities Lab, Boston Area Research Initiative, and The Social Impact Lab.
Students can earn a graduate certificate at no additional cost in these focus areas: nonprofit sector, public policy analysis, urban analytics, and urban studies.
Optional Concentration in Healthcare Management and Policy
This graduate concentration is available to students in the Masters of Public Administration program in the School of Public Policy and Urban Affairs. It is designed to enable students to develop a deeper understanding of the contemporary healthcare sector, including the intricacies of U.S. health policy and competencies in healthcare management. The concentration comprises three courses, one from each of three focus areas: health management, health policy, and health elective.

Requirements and Admission Criteria for Master of Public Administration at Northeastern University

Entry Requirements

Admissions Dates

Admissions decisions are made on a rolling basis.

Fall Term

Spring Term

Summer 1 Term

Summer 2 Term


Final deadline for international applicants:	June 15
Final deadline for domestic applicants:	August 15
Final deadline for Special Student applicants (non-international only):	August 25


Deadline for international applicants:	October 1
Deadline for domestic applicants:	December 15
Deadline for Special Student applicants (non-international only):	December 15


Domestic applicants only:	April 15


Domestic applicants only:	June 15

English Requirements

PTEMin 76
IELTSMin 8
TOEFLMin 108

English Program Requirements

Northeastern students will be exposed to not only a rigorous academic environment but also a fast-paced experiential one. In order to be successful in both, all first-year and transfer applicants, regardless of citizenship, must demonstrate proficiency in English to be considered for admission to Northeastern.

Once your application is submitted, received, and processed, you will be able to access your Application Status Check. If you are required to provide further information regarding your proficiency in English, you will be able to complete the requirement in several ways, depending on your familiarity with English, and the frequency with which you use English each and every day:

Non-native English-speaking applicants will be required to submit official and valid results from one of the following English Language Tests:
- C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency (Cambridge English)
- Duolingo English Test (DET)
- IELTS Academic
- PTE Academic
- TOEFL Internt-based Test (CEEB Code: 3667) Northeastern will accept either the in-person version completed in a test center, or the TOEFL iBT Home Edition
However, based on your academic environment and the primary instructional language in either your high school or university, you may be eligible for a waiver. All waivers must be submitted through your Application Status Check. For additional information and to determine whether or not you are eligible for a waiver, please read the section below on waiving the English proficiency requirement.

Please note: Northeastern’s Admissions Committee reserves the right to request proof of English language proficiency from any applicant, regardless of citizenship or first language, at any time during the evaluation process.

Career Opportunities after Completing Master of Public Administration

Our MPA graduates are empowered to make a difference across disciplines and around the world. They leave Northeastern with the theoretical and fundamental understanding needed to transition into their careers and to immediately participate in and contribute to the policy process in their chosen field. Our graduates go on to careers as town administrators, management analysts, research analysts, and program directors. A recent survey of MPA alumni concluded that 24% of recent graduates are working the nonprofit sector, 38% in the public sector, and 21% in the private sector.

Tuition and Fee Information for Master of Public Administration at Northeastern University

Application Fee 75

How to Apply for Master of Public Administration at Northeastern University

1.Create your application
Submit your application through The Common Application or the Coalition Application (both are accepted). Once you have created your application, please select Northeastern University to directly submit your application to us. Application fee of $75 or need-based fee waiver* *Northeastern accepts need-based fee waivers from the Common Application, the Coalition Application, as well as organizations such as the College Board and ACT, or in a written request from a school official.
2.Submit all required materials
Double check to make sure that you have submitted all required materials. Even if your application has been submitted, we cannot begin reviewing your file until all of your required materials have been received. For applicants applying for the 2022-2023 academic year, Northeastern University is test-optional and does not require standardized testing to complete an application for admission.
3.Check your application status
Within seven days of applying, you should receive a confirmation email containing your Northeastern University ID number and instructions for setting up your Application Status Check account. To ensure all of the necessary documents have been submitted, and for updates or information about your application, visit your application status check.