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Master of Public Administration (MPA)

The MPA at UNT is the premier degree program in Texas and the Southwest dedicated to preparing students for highly successful careers in public and nonprofit organizations throughout Texas, the United States, and the world.

The MPA at UNT is:

  • Nationally Ranked: The program is ranked #1 in Texas and #8 in the country in local government management, as well as #5 in the country in emergency management. This level of visibility gives students a competitive advantage on the job market for internships, promotions, and new jobs. It also provides opportunities for in-depth service learning projects in and out of the classroom as alumni seek to partner with the program.
  • The Most Cost Efficient: Among the MPA programs that call Dallas-Fort Worth home and carry NASPAA accreditation, UNT costs the least. Other programs – whether online or in-person – cost more on a per-semester-credit hour basis and for the program overall.
  • Well-Funded with Scholarships: Endowments from alumni and friends of UNT provide significant funding opportunities for MPA students. The Department of Public Administration awards more than $200,000 a year in scholarships. In addition, students from states and countries outside Texas who are awarded these competitive scholarships from the department are eligible for in-state tuition.
  • More Generous with Specializations: UNT allows students to take as many as half or more of the total required courses in targeted areas of specialization. This provides greater opportunities than some other programs for UNT students to deeply study areas within the field that will most help them achieve their long-term career objectives.
  • The Launching Pad for Highly Successful Leaders: Three of the big five cities in Texas are currently led by UNT alumni. This includes Dallas, Fort Worth, and Austin. In fact, many cities and community nonprofits in Texas have a UNT alum at the helm. And all MPA alumni are making lasting impacts in various organizations at all levels of leadership. The MPA doesn’t just provide opportunities for new jobs, it permanently changes long-term career trajectories.
  • Dedicated to Alumni Engagement: Many of the 1,600 alumni of the MPA program are highly engaged with UNT and the students here. The alumni provide guest lectures, hire interns and graduates, host an important conference and luncheon, mentor students and recent graduates, donate to scholarships, and work with faculty and students on practice-based research projects. There are few MPA programs in the country that match the level of engagement and commitment provided by UNT alumni.
  • Focused on In-Person Experiences: A primary focus on in-person classes gives students the opportunity to fully explore not only in-class learning, but also the opportunities that arise from collaborative interactions with fellow students, alumni, and faculty. In addition, select online and hybrid electives provide the opportunity for students to arrange their schedules to best fit their full-time and part-time jobs.
  • Steeped in Internship Opportunities: Students who are not already working full time in the public and nonprofit sector find that the UNT connections and deep program support aid in securing unparalleled internships. Alumni dedication and departmental support are key to making UNT’s MPA internship program among the top in the country.

If you are looking for a career that will empower others, make a lasting impact in the communities you care about, and provide unparalleled career advancement, the MPA at UNT will provide you with the very best opportunities at a competitive price. The program accepts applications for Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters, so apply today!

MPA Admissions

Admission to the MPA program is based on an assessment of an applicant's ability and potential to meet the demands of a rigorous graduate program. Each application is considered in a holistic approach. The only materials required for admissions are completion of the online application form and submission of all undergraduate and graduate transcripts from previous universities and colleges. Please follow the instructions provided by the Toulouse Graduate School, which administers the application process.

For applicants with a GPA of less than 3.0, admission will be considered by the program on a case-by-case basis. Applicants will be contacted after a review of the application for potential additional materials, which may include a written statement of interest from the applicant, letters of recommendation, or GRE scores.

Please also note that international applicants must meet language requirements as described by the Toulouse Graduate School. Please visit their website for more information.

Academic Advisor

Graduate students are advised by the MPA program coordinator. Incoming students contact the department with questions.

Master of Public Administration
mpa@unt.edu
940-565-2165
Chilton 204

Recent graduates are employed as:
  • City Manager
  • Assistant City Manager
  • Budget Analyst
  • Town Administrator
  • Chief of Police
  • Finance Director
  • Director of Human Resources
Recent graduates are employed by:
  • 100+ cities in the Dallas-Fort Worth region
  • 30+ Public Safety and Emergency Management organizations
  • 50+ Special Districts
  • 80+ Private firms
  • State of Texas agencies
  • Federal government agencies
  • County government agencies
  • Nonprofit organizations

Scholarships

Various forms of financial assistance are available to MPA students directly from the department or from external sources. The department awards approximately $50,000 to new MPA students each year. It is recommended that students interested in financial aid investigate available options at the time they apply to the program since most scholarship opportunities are offered to new students only. Other scholarships are available to students who have begun their program, especially from external sources. Please follow the instructions below to be eligible for departmental and college scholarships. Students can apply for multiple scholarships, but will be awarded only one departmental scholarship, whichever is the one of greatest monetary value.

Go the UNT scholarship application page and complete the “Eagle Scholarship Portal.” You will need an EUID to begin this process. UNT usually sends your EUID within a week or so of the admissions decision. Start by clicking the Sign In box at the upper right corner of the page. Please note that Edge browsers may have problems with the link. We recommend you use either Chrome or Firefox. You may choose to complete the College of Health and Public Service application for additional opportunities. You are not required to complete this application however.

 
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MPA Degree Requirements

Core Courses (18 hours)

  • PADM 5010 Public Administration and Society
  • PADM 5020 Leading and Managing Public Organizations
  • PADM 5030 Managing Human Resources
  • PADM 5400 Managing Financial Resources
  • PADM 5420 Revenue Policy and Administration
  • PADM 5500 Administrative Research Methods I

Specialization electives (18-21 hours)

  • Local Government Management
  • Nonprofit Management
  • Financial Management
  • Emergency Management
  • Human Resource Management
  • Public-Nonprofit Analytics

Internship for Pre-career Students (4 hours)

Internships arerequired for all students. Internships provide an opportunity to apply the classroom experience in a government agency or nonprofit organization. The internship requires 440 contact hours and it must be paid. This requirement may be waived by the MPA coordinator for students with sufficient public and nonprofit sector work experience. Usually, this requirement is met by those with appropriate full-time work experience of two years or more.

Comprehensive Exam

The final degree requirement is successful completion of a comprehensive exam. Students wishing to take the exam must have completed at least 30 hours of their graduate degree program and all core courses.

MPA Frequently asked Questions

Is this a good program and school?

U.S. News and World Report ranks the MPA program at UNT as the best in Texas and the Southwest, and 8th in the nation, in the area of city management and urban policy. Our MPA degree is also accredited by the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA), which is the national accrediting association for graduate public administration programs.

What is an MPA?

Our MPA degree provides you with a combination of time-tested management theories and state-of-the-art practice. The program's curriculum emphasizes such timely and critical developments as measuring organizational performance, evaluating public programs, working in teams, understanding up-to-date financial reporting requirements, operating in collaborative networks, planning for and managing disasters, leading nonprofit organizations, encouraging workplace diversity, and many others.

What is the graduation rate for the UNT MPA program?

Students who enter the MPA@UNT program have a high rate of successful completion. Students who do not complete the program choose a different academic program on campus or change work locations away from the DFW area, while some find the program to not be the right fit for them at that time. Of the 37 students in the 2019 cohort, 33 completed the program successfully. Because some students are working full time during the program while others are working part time, the time they take to complete the program can vary. It is possible for students attending full time to complete the program in two years, while those working full time typically take approximately three years.

Of the 37 in the 2019 cohort:

  • 17 finished in 2 years
  • 32 finished within 3 years
  • 33 were finished in 4 years

 

What are the job placement rates for graduates of the UNT MPA program?

Graduates of the MPA@UNT program work in a variety of organizations throughout the country and world. As an example, here is where recent graduates from the 2023-24 academic year are working:

  • Federal Government: 1
  • State Government: 2
  • Local Government: 20
  • Government Outside the U.S.: 2
  • Nonprofit (domestic): 4
  • Private Sector (not research or consulting): 1

Total number of graduates: 30

Do I have to quit my day job?

You won't have to put your life on hold while you get your MPA from UNT. We offer most of our courses in the evening or afternoon. We offer some courses online and in a hybrid mode. This is not an online only program. We believe that interaction with faculty and your colleagues is critical to developing knowledge, abilities, and networks that make our graduates successful.

Will I need a day job?

Pre-career students are required to serve an internship before graduating, but you will not be doing menial tasks for free. We want you to have a meaningful internship experience and we expect you to be compensated for the expertise you bring to the employer. We require all internships to provide income for the student, usually an hourly wage. You will also take a preparation course to assist you in resume development and interviewing skills.

How long will this degree take?

If you are a full-time student, you can graduate in 22 months. If you are a part-time student, you will be able to tailor your class schedule to fit into your busy schedule, but we expect all students to graduate within three years. Many students obtain full-time positions before the end of their program and change from full-time to part-time students. However, full-time students will have all the course offerings needed to complete the program in four long semesters and one summer session.

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About Us

Today the department's 13 faculty and two professional staff serve more than 350 majors in these four programs. Student-centered education is a hallmark of this dedicated faculty who take personal interest in every student's progress from the first day they enter and beyond graduation to their professional career.
padm.unt.edu
940-565-2165
Chilton Hall, Suite 204
410 Ave. C
Denton, TX 76201