Shaping the Future of Communities and Local Governance

Academic Rigor Meets Real-World Application

With a team of 12 full-time faculty members and three practitioners-in-residence, we offer a dynamic blend of theory and practice that prepares our students for impactful careers in public service.

Nationally Recognized Education

Graduate students have the opportunity to pursue an MPA, respected nationally for its excellence—ranked #5 in Homeland Security and Emergency Management and #8 in Local Government Management by U.S. News and World Report. For those aiming to delve deeper into research and leadership, our Ph.D. program in Public Administration and Management also offers a nationally ranked robust pathway.

Undergraduates can choose from degrees in Urban Policy and Planning (UPOP) or Nonprofit Leadership Studies (NPLS), with additional minors and certificate programs in volunteer management and conflict resolution. In addition, our in-house internship coordinator is dedicated to helping students bridge the gap between academic study and professional success.

Active Student Leadership and Professional Engagement Across Campus and Beyond

Our students are active leaders both on campus and in the professional world. With vibrant student associations like the Nonprofit Student Association and the Public Administration Student Association (PASA), our students engage in networking, professional development, and community service. PASA also hosts a student chapter of the International City/County Management Association, connecting students with national and state-level conferences. Our Ph.D. students are equally active, contributing to scholarly discourse through conferences and guest presentations.

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Centers & Programs

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Faculty & Staff

The Robert Bland MPA Scholarship Endowment

This newly established scholarship honors Dr. Robert Bland’s dedication to student success and his outstanding contributions to the University of North Texas Department of Public Administration. He served for 22 years as the founding chair of the Department of Public Administration, helping grow that fledgling enterprise from a single graduate degree with six faculty to adding a Ph.D. program in 2005, a baccalaureate in emergency administration, and subsequent service as chair, baccalaureate degrees in urban policy and planning and in nonprofit leadership. He also established a training and applied research arm of the college—the Center for Public Management (CPM).

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UNT MPA Alumni Hub

The Department of Public Administration has an incredibly engaged network of over 1,000 alumni who give back to the department in their own ways: board service, financial support, volunteerism, and mentorship. We now have a centralized hub for all MPA alumni to find information about how they can stay engaged with the department!

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