College of Arts and Sciences
Public Administration (M.A.)
College of Arts and Sciences
Public Administration (M.A.)
From Vision to Service — Master Public Administration at NMSU.
The Master of Public Administration at NMSU is a professionally oriented, practitioner-focused graduate program accredited by NASPAA, designed to prepare you for leadership in public and nonprofit sectors. With a minimum of 42 credit hours covering a core curriculum of public management, policy analysis, budgeting, ethics, and human-resource management, students also complete either an internship or thesis. The program emphasizes critical thinking, ethical decision-making, and real-world problem solving — delivered in a small-cohort environment that encourages close student-faculty collaboration.
Admission Deadlines
March 1st for Fall admission, October 1st for Spring admission
Delivery Format
In-person
Career Pathways
Graduates of the MPA program at NMSU graduate ready to assume roles across local, state, national and nonprofit sectors where leadership, policy insight and management skills matter. Possible career paths include:
- Public sector program manager or director in city, regional or state government
- Nonprofit executive or program leader focused on community services, social justice, or advocacy
- Policy analyst or government affairs specialist for public agencies or legislative bodies
- Budgeting, finance or human resources administrator in the public or nonprofit sector
- Safety, security or criminal justice administrator (especially via dual MPA–MCJ)
- Urban/regional planner or economic development coordinator
- Consultant or strategist in public-service management, governance reform or cross-sector partnerships
Degree questions, answered
Have questions about the Master of Arts in Public Administration? Fill out our inquiry form.
Why choose this program?
Selecting NMSU’s MPA means joining a program distinguished by national accreditation, a faculty committed to public service and social equity, and a curriculum tailored for both practice and analysis. The small size of the cohort encourages personalized mentorship and meaningful interactions between students and faculty. The program is especially strong in preparing students to act as change agents in border-region contexts, diverse communities, and service environments that demand cultural competence and ethical leadership. With flexible options (full-time, part-time, accelerated or dual-degree) and a clear mission to prepare public-service professionals, you’ll graduate equipped not just with knowledge, but the capability to lead and transform in your field.
Program Format Summary
- Standard Full-Time Track (approx. two years/five semesters): For students entering the MPA program with any bachelor’s background — designed for completion in approximately two years of full-time study.
- Part-Time/In-Service Track: For working professionals or those with ongoing commitments, many students attend part-time. The department balances enrolment between full-time and in-service students annually.
- Dual/Dual-Degree Options: Students may pursue joint degrees such as the MPA-MCJ (Master of Criminal Justice) or MPA-MA Public History, enabling completion of two graduate degrees in fewer credits than pursuing them separately (e.g., 57 credit hours for the MPA-MCJ dual vs. higher if pursued separately).
No GRE Required
We’re removing barriers to graduate education, which is why we don’t require the GRE.
Accreditation
The MPA program is accredited by NASPAA. a distinction enjoyed by only about one-fourth of all Master’s programs in public administration in the United States
Because students have divergent career goals, a thesis or internship option is offered. The thesis option requires an additional 18 credits of course work, six credits of thesis (POLS 599 Master's Thesis), and a written examination covering the thesis and course work. The internship option also requires an additional 18 credits of course work, three credits of internship (POLS 510 Internship), and a written examination covering the internship and course work.
Take classes like:
- POLS 502 - Research Methods in Government
- POLS 547 - Government Organizations
- POLS 549 - Ethics in Government
- POLS 544 - Public Policy Analysis
- POLS 519 - Proseminar in Public Administration
- POLS 528 - Public-Private Partnerships
Students may pursue the Master of Public Administration (MPA) and Master of Criminal Justice (MCJ) degrees simultaneously through the joint MPA-MCJ program. Students interested in the joint MPA-MCJ program must apply separately to the two departments and declare intent to pursue the joint degree program with NMSU Graduate Student Services. The MPA-MCJ program requires completion of a minimum of 57 credits of approved coursework from the two departments.
Take classes like:
- POLS 502 - Research Methods in Government
- POLS 547 - Government Organizations
- POLS 549 - Ethics in Government
- CJ 511 – Nature of Crime
- CJ 514 – Race, Crime and Justice
- CJ 525 – Issues in Ethics, Law, and CJ
The Department of History and the Department of Government offer a dual degree in which students who are accepted into both of these programs may simultaneously earn both a Master of Arts in History degree with the Public History specialization, and a Master of Public Administration degree. The dual degree requires 57 total credits, while students who pursued both degrees as separate degrees would need to pass at least 72 credits. Students earning the dual degrees must pass a joint oral examination after passing required courses and completing internship credits in both programs.
Take classes like:
- POLS 502 - Research Methods in Government
- POLS 547 - Government Organizations
- POLS 549 - Ethics in Government
- HIST 598 – The Craft of History
- HIST 594 - Public History Seminar
Application Deadlines
March 1 for fall admission
October 1 for spring admission
Admission Requirements MPA-MCJ
Three (3) Letters of Reference; A Personal Statement; A Writing Sample; and A Current Resume Listing Work Experience. GRE Scores (if applicable) The GRE is required if an applicant’s bachelor’s degree is less than five years old AND if an applicant’s GPA is less than 3.0. The minimum requirements for admission into the MCJ program are: 1) a minimum overall undergraduate cumulative GPA of 3.000 or a minimum 3.500 cumulative GPA for your last 60 hours of earned credit; 2) three letters of recommendation from individuals who are able to comment upon your ability to complete graduate work; and 3) a three to five page essay that introduces you and discusses the following topic, “The most important change needed in the criminal justice system is …” Remember, this essay is your sample of written work and will be evaluated by the MCJ Admission Committee.
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Scholarships and Financial Aid
At NMSU, we strive to offer competitively priced tuition to keep your tuition costs affordable. If you need financial aid, we’re ready to work with you to determine the best ways to finance your education.
Financial assistance includes loans, grants, and scholarship opportunities. To apply, use NMSU’s convenient Scholar Dollar$ one-stop scholarship application, which serves all students in the NMSU system.
NMSU students are also eligible for loans and grants. The first step in applying for financial aid is to complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Learn more about financial aid opportunities at NMSU.
Contact Financial Aid
Phone: 1-888-729-6678
Email: financialaid@nmsu.edu
Accreditation
New Mexico State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Specialized accreditation from other accrediting agencies is also granted for some programs. NMSU’s accreditation ensures that your education meets high-quality standards and that your credits are transferable.