Public Administration (M.P.A.)
Propel your career forward as a highly effective manager and leader in the public and nonprofit sectors with Illinois Tech’s customizable Master of Public Administration degree.
Develop the Skills to Reach Your Career Goals with a Master of Public Administration at Illinois Tech
Do your skills match your career goals? In the Master of Public Administration (M.P.A.) at Stuart School of Business, you can develop powerful skills and expertise in administration, policy analysis and implementation, public finance, and analytics that put you on the path to impactful management and leadership roles in government, nonprofit organizations, and consulting.
Choose a specialization or elective courses to tailor your degree to your specific career interests. Looking to master key quantitative skills? Check out our STEM-designated M.P.A. in Analytics program.
Program Overview
Wherever you are in your career, Illinois Tech’s M.P.A. program delivers a hands-on, applied approach and customizable curriculum that is your pathway to achieving your goals.
Flexibility for working professionals includes evening courses, our downtown Chicago location, a hybrid format that allows you to attend courses in person or online, and typical completion times of two years part-time or 12–16 months full-time. Chicago is a dynamic, global business center with government agencies at all levels and a thriving nonprofit community. With Illinois Tech’s connections, you’ll have exciting opportunities for networking and internships.
Career Opportunities
Careers for Master of Public Administration graduates range across government, nonprofits, and consulting, as well as with companies that interact with public entities. Here are a few of the many job opportunities you might consider:
- Government agency administrators
- Public policy directors
- Social and community service managers
- Compliance and regulatory affairs managers
With the Master of Public Administration program, you have the freedom to choose elective courses or a specialization to match your interests and career goals. Check out some of our courses.
PA 502—Organizational Behavior
Gain key insights into the behavior of individuals, groups, and organizations that can put you on the path to becoming an effective manager and leader. You’ll engage with topics such as motivation, perception, and learning style in individuals, as well as group dynamics and how organizational structure and culture impacts behavior. Case studies will help you practice management techniques in real-world situations.
PA 532—Public Financial Optimization and Management
Learn how to follow the money! Develop your understanding and skills in governmental budgets and budget processing, accounting, and fiscal administration. Coursework emphasizes best practices, case studies, and the practical challenges encountered in managing government resources.
PA 541—Performance Measurement in Nonprofit and Public Management
How do we know how well a policy or program is working? Performance management is an essential tool that nonprofit and government leaders and staff use to plan and manage the programs and services that they offer to customers, clients, and the public. You’ll learn how to develop performance measures and apply performance management techniques to solve problems and improve policies and programs.
- Completed Online Application
- Official transcript submission with a minimum cumulative undergraduate grade-point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
- No GMAT or GRE scores required
- A one-page statement of purpose, with goals and objectives
- English proficiency exam, if required
Have Questions? Connect with Us
For any questions about Stuart School of Business degree programs or the application and enrollment process, contact our Director of Student Recruitment Claire Johnson.
Learn More about M.P.A.: Ask a Professor
Virtual info sessions on Thursdays at 8–8:30 a.m. CT
Discover how a Stuart M.P.A. degree can open doors for you to a meaningful career in the public or nonprofit sectors by talking with Program Director Roland Calia.
Scholarships and Costs
Click on the buttons below to learn more about Stuart School of Business scholarship opportunities and tuition and fees.
Chicago Police and Fire Department applicants: Contact Stuart School of Business for information regarding scholarships and tuition deferment.
More M.P.A. Options
Choose a Specialization
Optional M.P.A. specializations include:
> Nonprofit and Mission-Driven Management
> Security, Safety, and Risk Management
> Economic Development and Social Entrepreneurship
M.P.A. with Emergency Planning Focus
Develop your managerial and leadership skills to implement effective emergency planning and preparedness programs.
M.P.A. Certificate Programs
Designed for mid-career professionals to build expertise and skills in a specific area. Each program is four courses (12 credit hours total), which can be applied toward an M.P.A. degree.
Dual-Degree Programs
Prepare for leadership positions by combining the M.P.A. with another graduate degree in business (M.B.A. or M.S. in Sustainability Analytics and Management), design (M.Des.), or law (J.D.).
Accelerated Master’s Program (AMP)
Current Illinois Tech undergraduates can earn both a bachelor’s degree and an M.P.A. in as few as five years through the AMP co-terminal option.
One-Year M.P.A. Program
An accelerated, three-semester M.P.A. program option is offered for international students. Choose among five concentrations. For more information, contact M.P.A. Program Director Roland Calia.
Seeking a new career path, Scott Greene combined his interest in government with a Stuart M.P.A. degree to land a position as a city budget analyst in Chicago, and the promotions have followed.
Scott Greene (M.P.A. ’16)
Ambika Sahay Verma chose a Stuart dual-degree program to gain the right combination of skills and hands-on experiences to launch her on a career path into tech company management.
Ambika Sahay Verma (M.B.A./M.P.A. ’22)
As a graduate student at Illinois Tech and then as a policy researcher at a think tank, Yinman Zhong’s vision of policymaking expanded, and so have her career goals.
Yinman Zhong (M.P.A. ’16)
Mental health treatment goes up, emergency calls go down. Stuart alumna Catherine Sanchez is leading the way to a win-win solution for Chicago police and the community.
Catherine Sanchez (M.P.A. ’17)
M.P.A. courses in policy analysis and quantitative research methods inspired Xi Chen to pursue a doctorate on the way to a potential academic career.
Xi Chen (M.P.A. ’17)Featured Faculty
Roland Calia
Joanne E. Howard
Weslynne Ashton
Wenchen Wang
Michael Fagel
Smriti Anand
Xiaoyun “Aarn” Cao
