Master of Public Administration (MPA)
Make a Lasting Impact in Your Community and Beyond
The Master of Public Administration (MPA) at Florida Southern College equips you to lead effectively, influence policy, and drive meaningful change across the public and nonprofit sectors. Whether your goal is city management, nonprofit leadership, or public policy, FSC’s MPA will prepare you to step confidently into roles that shape communities—while our accelerated, flexible format allows you to complete your degree without stepping away from your career.
Upcoming Term Start Date
Fall 2026
High Demand
Strong ROI
Career Impact
Want to Learn More About FSC's MPA Program?
Why choose MPA at FSC?
Faculty Who Mentor and Inspire
At Florida Southern, you’ll be guided by faculty who are more than teachers; they are mentors, scholars, and practitioners who bring government, policy, and nonprofit leadership to life. Their commitment to personal attention ensures you feel supported, challenged, and prepared for the responsibilities of public service leadership.
Learning That Extends Beyond the Classroom
The MPA curriculum is intentionally designed to connect theory with practice. From policy analysis papers to evaluation projects and a culminating internship or thesis, every course pushes you to apply what you’ve learned in real-world contexts. This structure ensures you graduate not only with knowledge, but with the confidence and skills to address complex challenges in public administration.
A Return on Your Investment that Starts Sooner
We understand that aspiring public leaders can’t afford to put life or career on hold. FSC’s accelerated, flexible format allows you to finish your MPA in under two years, all while working full-time. You’ll advance your career faster, gaining both the skills and the credentials to step into higher-level roles that make a difference in your community and beyond.
Deep Connections to the Communities We Serve
Featured MPA Faculty
R. Bruce Anderson
MPA Program Details
Admission Requirements
- Completed application
- Earned a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution, verified by official transcripts of all undergraduate work
- Current résumé
- Personal statement (maximum 1,000 words) detailing interest in the MPA program and its connection to professional goals
- One letter of recommendation
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.
