Master of
Public Administration
A career that can create change.
The NASPAA-accredited LSU Master of Public Administration (MPA) program provides students with a comprehensive understanding of what is needed to be an effective public service leader.
The MPA prepares students to work in government, non-profit organizations, and private entities that deal with governmental agencies and public entities on public policy issues. Graduates leave the program with the ability to articulate and apply a public service perspective and interact productively with a diverse workforce and communities.
On-Campus MPA Program Admissions Update
The Department has temporarily paused new admissions to the on-campus Master of Public Administration (MPA) and JD/MPA programs. The online MPA, administered in partnership with LSU Online, continues to accept new students as normal.
What You'll Learn
The Master of Public Administration is offered as a 36-hour program that includes 27 hours of core courses and nine hours of electives. As an MPA student, you will learn how to analyze policy and manage government and non-profit programs. The MPA program emphasizes policy implementation, program management, and ethical leadership through relevant coursework. Core courses include studies in economics, budgeting, finance, organizational behavior, data analytics, and human resource management. Students will link coursework to real-world experience either through an internship, or the practicum if they are currently working in the public sector. Pre-service students will acquire and complete an internship.
The online Master of Public Administration is a flexible, NASPAA-accredited program, offered through a collaboration between the LSU E. J. Ourso College of Business and LSU Online. The program offers highly flexible pacing and can be finished in as little as one year.
| Course Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| PADM 5600 Microeconomic Theory for Public Administration | 3 |
| PADM 7009 Data Analytics for Public Administration l | 3 |
| PADM 7010 Data Analytics for Public Administration ll | 3 |
| PADM 7852 Practicum | 1 |
| PADM 7901 MPA Capstone | 2 |
| PADM 7902 Seminar in Public Policy | 3 |
| PADM 7910 Public Administration Theory and Practice | 3 |
| PADM 7911 Organizational Analysis for Public and Nonprofit Organizations | 3 |
| PADM 7912 Public Human Resource Management | 3 |
| PADM 7914 Budgeting & Financial Management | 3 |
| CORE HOURS | 27 |
| 3 Elective Courses | 9 |
| TOTAL + ELECTIVES | 36 |
Career Paths & Employment Outcomes
A degree from the LSU Department of Public Administration opens a variety of doors in your career. Our Master of Public Administration program prepares students to work in all levels of government, non-profit organizations, universities, healthcare, and private entities that deal with governmental organizations and policy issues. With a broad alumni network and small program size, the Department of Public Administration can cultivate each student’s professional goals and needs using one-on-one consultations, advisement, and career development. Students are encouraged to arrange a consultation with the program advisor.
Employment Data
For MPA Graduates in the 2022-2023 academic year:
- Public Sector (Federal, State & Local Government): 64.7%
- Private Sector: 15.7%
- Non-profit Sector: 15.7%
- Military Service: 2%
(The total number of students in this time period was 96.)
Completion Data
- 55% of the 2018 MPA cohort graduated within two years
- 91% of the 2018 MPA cohort graduated within four years
Possible careers for an MPA graduate
- City manager
- Urban and regional planner
- Economist
- Chief executive officer
- Public relations manager
- Human resources manager
- Education administrator
- Financial analyst
- Consultant
Notable employers of LSU MPA graduates
- American Cancer Society
- Department of Housing and Urban Development
- Johnson & Johnson
- Louisiana Office of the Governor
- Louisiana Senate and House of Representatives
- Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals
- Louisiana Department of Education
- Marathon Petroleum Corporation
- National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration
- New York City Economic Development Corporation
- Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center
- Sasol
- Texas Children’s Hospital
- U.S. Chamber of Commerce
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Recent MPA Student Internships
- Front Rank Solutions
- St. Jude Research Hospital
- St. Tammany Corporation, Economic Development
- Baton Rouge Criminal Court
- World Strides
- US Department of Agriculture
- Louisiana State Employees' Retirement System
- The Black Family Initiative
- Bureau of Governmental Research
- The Baton Rouge Youth Coalition/ Mid City Redevelopment Alliance
- Governor's Fellows Program
- Cambiar Education
- Volunteer Louisiana
- LSU Social Research and Evaluation Center
Earning my MPA from LSU opened many career avenues and advancement opportunities in nonprofit work, public finance, and project management. The MPA program emphasized how budgeting, politics, existing laws, and the public all impact if and how a policy or project is implemented, which certainly holds true in the real world.
Mason Hess, Senior Advisor in Operations, New York City Mayor's Office of Climate & Environmental Justice
Application
The MPA Program evaluates applicants based on the following items:
- Undergraduate academic performance
- Three letters of recommendation
- Statement of purpose, which can include but not limited to: work experience, activities indicating an interest in public management/public policy, and other experiences that may indicate the ability to complete a professional program.
Each student and their portfolio will be evaluated on an individual basis. GRE scores are not required for this program, but scores are welcome as additional evaluation information. Applications for the online MPA are handled through LSU Online.
Contact Us
Department of Public Administration
3000 Business Education Complex
501 South Quad Drive
Baton Rouge, LA 70803
225-578-6743
pa@lsu.edu
Apply Now