Master's of Public Administration (MPA) degree program

The Master's of Public Administration (MPA) degree program is a flexible, professional program designed for those who wish to hold administrative positions in the wide range of executive environments within the public sector. Graduates are trained for employment with government agencies at the federal, state, or local level, and with regional or sub-state organizations. Opportunities are also available with nonprofit organizations, public interest groups or commissions, private corporations that work with government agencies, and international organizations.

The program serves both pre and in-service students. Pre-service students, without prior administrative experience, enjoy great success in obtaining valuable internships while pursuing their degree and challenging employment upon graduation. For in-service students the program is valuable for building essential skillsets beneficial for their present administrative positions, and career advancement.

Key Program Information:

Our Mission
Public Administration Faculty
Degree Requirements
Program Duration
Program Enrollment & Completion
Program Delivery Options
Careers & Internships
Advising
Application Process
Tuition Costs
Financial Assistance

Our Mission

The Master's of Public Administration (MPA) degree at Kansas State University prepares both pre and in-service students to serve the public interest and establish themselves as civic leaders. The program emphasizes a theoretically informed and research driven skills based approach to learning, designed to ensure that our students develop specific competencies that prepare them for the challenges of working in the public and non-profit sectors. Our faculty’s approach to education begins with a broad exposure to policy systems, political environments, administrative principals and research methods. Additionally, our students are required to think critically, apply knowledge and seek practical solutions to real world problems. Our low faculty-to-student ratio contributes to a student-centered learning environment in which we are able to instill in our students the ethics of public service and professional management that are critical to the diverse and changing modern workplace.

Alignment with the Kansas State University Next‑Gen Land‑Grant Mission

The Kansas State University Master of Public Administration (MPA) program advances the university’s Next‑Gen Land‑Grant mission by integrating professional education, engaged scholarship, and public service in support of democratic governance and the public good. This alignment reflects the priorities of the Next‑Gen K‑State Strategic Plan, which emphasizes student success, workforce development, engaged scholarship, and service to society.

The MPA program prepares students for leadership roles in public and nonprofit organizations through a rigorous curriculum in public management, policy analysis, public budgeting, and program evaluation. Emphasis on ethical leadership, evidence‑based decision‑making, transparency, and public accountability equips graduates with the competencies necessary to strengthen democratic institutions and promote effective and inclusive governance.

Consistent with the land‑grant tradition, the MPA program emphasizes applied, community‑engaged learning. Students participate in internships, capstone projects, and partnerships with local, state, and nonprofit organizations that address real policy and management challenges. These experiences connect academic training to community needs, enhance the capacity of public institutions, and promote civic engagement and trust in government. Through this work, the MPA program contributes to Kansas State University’s mission of translating knowledge into action while preparing public service professionals committed to democratic values and community well‑being.

Public Administration Faculty

The program boasts professional, award-winning faculty that publish in the most acclaimed journals of their field. Headed by the Director of Public Administration, Dr. Ethan Bernick, our faculty instill in our students the ethics of public service and professional management that are critical to the diverse and changing modern workplace.

Degree Requirements

The program requires 36 credit hours for in-service students and 37 credit hours for pre-service students. It typically takes full-time students 2 years to complete the program.

View degree requirements

Program Duration

Full-time Students

Full-time graduate enrollment is 9 credit hours each fall and spring semester. A typical full-time student can complete the program in two years.

This includes:

four semesters of full-time study; and
one internship semester*, usually taken in the summer after their first year of study. (*Pre-service students only)

Part-time Students

Students studying part-time must complete their coursework within six years, but are strongly encouraged to finish the program in six semesters (3 years).

As of the Spring 2026 semester, there are 24 students enrolled in the program. Of those, 7 are full-time and 17 are part-time.

Program Enrollment & Completion

Current Program Enrollment

MPA Degree Completion Data (2019-2020 Cohort)

degree completion 2019-2020

Assuming three courses (nine credit hours) per semester, the prescribed length of our program for full-time students is two years, including one summer session for pre-service student internships.

Ten students entered the program during this period. Seven were full-time students. Six of the full-time students in this cohort graduated in the prescribed length of time. The other full-time student withdrew from the program.

The remaining three students were part-time students (took less than nine credit hours during fall and spring semesters). One part-time student withdrew from the program before completion. The other two part-time students completed the program within three years. For a part-time student, five years is our benchmark for degree completion.

Program Delivery Options

The MPA program can be completed either in-person or online. All core courses and most electives are offered synchronously with the in-person course sections via Zoom. Distance students also have the option to complete the coursework asynchronously.

Careers & Internships

A degree in Public Administration prepares students for a wide variety of careers, from working with government agencies to international organizations. While completing their degree, our program provides students with the skills and experience necessary to be successful in the competitive career market, through professional internships.

Learn more about career and internship opportunities

Most recently, our students had internship experiences at:

Manhattan Housing Authority - Manhattan, KS
Flint Hills Breadbasket - Manhattan, KS
Kansas Department of Health and Environment - Topeka, KS
Manhattan Area Resettlement Team - Manhattan, KS
City Manager's Office - Topeka, Kansas

Below is employment data for the last five years from graduates of the MPA program, as well as information on degree completion during 2019-2020 (our program evaluates completion data five years after students enter the program to get the most accurate account of enrollment).

MPA Employment Data

2019-2024 Graduates

employment 2019-2024

2010-2025 Graduates

Employment 2010-2025 — Includes data from the 88 graduates who provided their current full-time positions.

The K-State MPA program is accredited by the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA).

Advising

Once admitted into the program, students will be assigned to one of our graduate academic advisors (Dr. Bernick, Dr. Heidbreder, or Dr. Zhang). Students are strongly encouraged to meet regularly with their advisor in order to plan course work, to map out the Area of Emphasis, and to make career plans.

Graduate Advisory Committee

Upon completing 9 credit hours of coursework, students should meet with their advisor and identify a Major Professor and Supervisory Committee. This committee shall be composed of at least three members (with two or more being MPA faculty).

Application Process

I. Application Standards

To be eligible to apply for the program, an applicant must have earned a bachelor’s degree (or is expected to earn by the time of enrollment) with a minimum of 3.0 GPA (on a 4.0 scale). Applicants with at least a 2.8 GPA may be admitted on "probationary," or on "provisional" category. The Master of Public Administration program considers applicants with bachelor’s degree from all majors.

For degrees earned from a college outside of the United States, please check with the K-State Graduate School (gradapply@ksu.edu) to make sure the degree(s) you earned is considered to be equivalent to a 4-year bachelor’s degree in the United States before applying.

Probationary and Provisional Admissions

Probationary and provisional students are advised of deficiencies and of other conditions to be met to achieve full standing. Their status is reviewed after completing 9 hours of course work at Kansas State University. Those who have earned grades of B or higher and GPAs of 3.0 or higher for the first 9 hours, exclusive of individualized study, and removed all deficiencies specified at the time of admission, will be placed in good standing.

Further information on the GPA requirements for admission to the KSU Graduate School and the probationary and provisional admission categories can be found in Section C1 of the K-State Gradaute Handbook

Graduate Record Exam (GRE) scores can be submitted for those applying to the program, but they are not required. **For applicants with a GPA below 3.0 at the institution at which they earned their bachelor's degree, GRE scores are particularly important in meeting the GPA requirements for admission to the KSU Graduate School.

II. Application Deadlines

Deadlines differ between domestic and international applicants, please observe the deadlines relating to your applicant type.

Applicant Type		Intended admission semester
	Fall (August start)	Spring (January start)	Summer (May start)
International	Jan 8	Aug 1	Dec 1
Domestic	Aug 1	Jan 1	May 1

Our program operates on a "rolling admission", meaning students with fully completed applications may know whether or not they have been accepted at any time before the admission deadline.

III. How to Apply

Those interested in applying for the Master's of Public Administration (MPA) program must:

Complete the Graduate School's online application for the Master of Public Administration program.
Pay the application fee ($65 for domestic applicants / $75 for international applicants).
- The Master of Public Administration program does not provide fee waiver codes.
Supply the following supporting materials:
- Undergraduate transcripts from all undergraduate institutions.
- Statement of your career objectives relative to pursuing the MPA degree.
- Three letters of recommendation particular to this application.

International applicants also will be asked to provide:

- An Affidavit of Financial Support.
- An English language proficiency test score.

Detailed information about the application materials:

Transcripts

Applicants, including current K-State students, must upload copies of transcripts. You can upload unofficial copies. Do NOT send or email transcripts to the Graduate School in place of uploading to your application. Official copies will be requested at a later time or along with an admission offer.

International applicants should upload copies of degree certificates along with transcripts. All documents should be in English or certified translations to English. Follow the prompts in the application.

Letters of recommendation

Three letters of recommendation are required for the application. Letters should reflect the academic and, if relevant, job capability and experiences of the applicant. The letters should speak to the applicant’s ability to excel in an academic professional program.

You will be prompted to enter the contact information of your referees in the online application. Your referees are automatically contacted and recommendations are added to your application as they are completed.
It is advisable to inform your referees that they will receive an email from Kansas State University once you submit the online application. It is the responsibility of the applicant to make sure letters of recommendation are completed by posted deadlines.
If your referees experience difficulties accessing the link or using the online system, please contact the K-State Graduate School Office directly at gradapply@ksu.edu.

Affidavit of Financial Support

Demonstration of funds to support your education: U.S. Immigration regulations require Kansas State University to verify that international students have the financial resources to pay for all educational, living, and other expenses. You must indicate the source of financial support after admission to the graduate program. Your admission letter will provide information about how to submit the Affidavit of Financial Support. The funds may be your own, provided by a sponsor, or from a scholarship or a combination of these. The estimated costs information shows the current minimum estimated funds an international applicant must show if admitted to a graduate program in order to receive required documents for travel.

English proficiency test scores

For admission purposes, English proficiency test scores are required if English is not your native language and you are not a US Citizen or Permanent Resident. See a list of countries exempt from this requirement. Valid scores accepted are TOEFL, PTE, and IELTS. We do not accept ‘Duo Lingo’ or TOEFL IPT. If your scores are below the required minimum, you may be eligible for the Pathway program. If you received a U.S. degree from an accredited U.S. university, English proficiency test scores are not required.

Test	Minimum Score
IBT TOEFL (internet based)	79*
IELTS academic test	6.5*
Pearson Test of English (PTE)	58

*Graduate Teaching Assistantship (GTA):
Please note that any non-native English speakers, whether a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or international student, offered a Graduate Teaching Assistantship (GTA) must meet the speaking requirements as specified in Chapter 1, Section G in the Graduate Handbook.

Tuition Costs

The Office of Student Financial Assistance publishes standard cost of attendance estimates for both on-campus and online graduate students. The estimates represent a student’s educational expenses for an academic year and are calculated using full-time enrollment rates -- 9 credit hours per semester, or 18 credit hours for the full year.

Graduate Manhattan Campus Annual Estimate
Graduate Online Annual Estimate

For an in-depth look at the costs, including a detailed breakdown of fees, please view the university's comprehensive fee schedule.

Financial Assistance

The Department of Political Science offers graduate scholarships/fellowships to support graduate students. These vary in terms of the amount of assistance and the exact requirements of each scholarship/fellowship. To learn more about our department's funding opportunities please visit our Scholarships page.

Graduate Scholarships/Fellowships

Questions?

Contact the Director of Public Administration, Dr. Ethan Bernick (emb0111@ksu.edu).

Department of Political Science
Kansas State University
802 Mid Campus Dr. South
101D Calvin Hall
Manhattan, KS 66506

785-532-6842
polsci@ksu.edu