Master of Public Administration (MPA)
Make a lasting impact in your community and beyond.
The Master of Public Administration (MPA) at Florida Southern College prepares you to lead, influence policy, and create positive change in the public and nonprofit sectors.
Upcoming Term Start Dates
Fall 2026
Why choose MPA at FSC?
Expert Faculty with Real-World Experience
Learn from experienced professionals who have actively researched American political institutions and U.S. foreign policies, providing valuable insights and practical knowledge.
Growing Industry Demand
The public sector is constantly evolving, creating strong demand for professionals with expertise in public policy, budgeting, and administration. This degree prepares students for leadership roles in a range of public service fields.
Diverse Career Opportunities
Graduates can pursue careers in city management, policy analysis, nonprofit leadership, public finance, and more, serving in roles that shape communities and improve governance.
Hands-On Learning Experience
The curriculum incorporates Portfolios, Analysis Papers, Evaluation Projects, and an Internship or Thesis experience, giving students the practical skills needed to navigate complex public administration challenges effectively.
Featured MPA Faculty
R. Bruce Anderson
MPA Program Details
Admission Requirements
- Applicant must have earned a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education as verified by an official transcript of all undergraduate work completed.
- Applicant must provide official transcripts of all previous academic work at other colleges, universities, or professional schools.
- Applicant must provide a resume or CV detailing work and educational experience.
- Applicant must compose a personal statement of no more than 1000 words detailing their interest in the MPA program and its relationship to their professional goals.
- Applicant must provide two letters of reference.
International Student Requirements
- Official Translated Transcripts With Course By Course Evaluation**
- Bank Letter Verifying Funds of Sponsor***
- Sponsor's Guarantee Form
- Valid Passport
- Official TOEFL/IELTS Score****
** SpanTran (discount available), Academic Evaluation Services, Inc., Josef Silny, or World Education Services or another similar approved transcript evaluation agency.
*** A bank letter is a written statement on bank letterhead and signed by a bank official.
**** Must have completed an English language training program or at least one year at an English speaking institution to waive the TOEFL/IELTS testing requirement.
Course Delivery
Hybrid
Courses are offered in a hybrid format, a combination of online and in-class meetings. One class will be offered on campus in the evening and one course will be offered online.
Curriculum
| POS 6100 | Foundations of Public Administration and Public Service in the U.S. | 4 |
| POS 6200 | Federalism & Intergovernmental Relations | 4 |
| POS 6300 | Research Methods for Public and Nonprofit Organizations | 4 |
| POS 6400 | Public Policy Analysis | 4 |
| POS 6500 | Leadership in Public Administration | 4 |
| POS 6600 | Program Evaluation | 4 |
| POS 6700 or POS 6800 | Thesis or Internship | 6 |
Program Costs
2025-2026
| Tuition Per Credit Hour | $875/pending approval |
Graduation Requirements
To earn the MPA degree, a student must achieve a cumulative GPA of 3.0 in all coursework and cannot receive a grade below C in any course. Students must successfully complete either a thesis or an internship as a culminating experience.
Early Admission 4+1 MPA Program
During the second semester of their junior year, all Florida Southern College undergraduate students are eligible to be considered for early admission to the MPA program. Admitted students will be allowed to complete a maximum of 12 credit hours of graduate work prior to undergraduate graduation.
These credits will count towards the requirements for the undergraduate and MPA degree. Any MPA courses attempted before receiving the undergraduate degree will be charged at the traditional undergraduate full-time tuition rate. After the student receives their undergraduate degree, graduate courses will be billed at the current MPA per credit hour rate.
SACSCOC Accreditation
Florida Southern College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees. The Master of Public Administration is currently pending approval by SACSCOC. Applicants selected for the program will receive an offer of admission promptly upon notification of approval from SACSCOC.