Inspired to Lead and Serve

If you want to be an agent of change, here’s your chance! With The NSU Edge, you will be able to make lives better, help families, and strengthen communities on a state and local level. With the abundance of opportunities nationwide, professionals like you are in high demand.

Nova Southeastern University’s Master of Public Administration (M.P.A.) program will propel you into a successful career path, providing you with a foundation in advanced public administration skills intensely focused on state and local administration, as well as non-profit management. Our curriculum is designed to help you understand the social, economic, and political context in which public decisions are made. Our faculty members will tap into their thorough experience outside of the classroom to ensure that your learning experience is practical, useful, and powerful.

Upon completion of this program, you will possess the skills necessary to lead public and community agencies, raise the bar to better serve others, and advance your professional career. Make your leadership dreams a reality today.

Quick Facts

Curriculum

NSU’s M.P.A. program is 36 total credits and can be completed in 12 months (full time) or 24 months (part time). Download the degree plan.

Start Dates

The M.P.A. program is available to start in Fall/August and Winter/January semesters.

Delivery Options

Classes for the Master of Public Administration program are offered Saturdays, 8:00am-12:00pm and 12:30pm-4:30pm at NSU's Fort Lauderdale/Davie campus and online (synchronously). The course curriculum is available in a lock-step, executive format, designed to accommodate full-time working professionals. **Select software courses are offered asynchronously online.

Tuition

Visit the Tuition and Fees page for more information. Discounted rates are available through our employer tuition program.

Application Deadline

Fall: August 10
Winter: December 7

Tuition Award

Eligible government or non-profit employees qualify for a 50% government employee award. Contact a Business Development Specialist for more information.

Tuition Assistance for NSU Business Programs

professionals talking around conference table

Employer Tuition Assistance Program

NSU Business partners with more than 135 local and national organizations to offer discounted employee tuition of up to 20% through our employer tuition program.
Huizenga Business Center

NSU Alumni Tuition Discount

NSU alumni are eligible for a tuition award of 20% off any graduate degree or business certificate program. Alumni also receive an application fee waiver and access to a dedicated adviser to assist throughout the admission process.

Earning Potential

Political Scientist

$115,110 Average Salary Per Year

Program Director (Non-Profit)

$104,139 Average Salary Per Year

City Manager

$86,376 Average Salary Per Year

Emergency Management Director

$72,760 Average Salary Per Year

Source: Salary.com, Payscale.com, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Master of Public Administration Curriculum

M.P.A. Core Courses (33 credits)
Credits
PUB 5409
Public Administration in Theory and Application (PUB 5409 / Credits: 3 )
3
PUB 5429
Public Sector Statistical Analysis (PUB 5429 / Credits: 3 )
3
PUB 5438
Public and Non-Profit Strategic Management (PUB 5438 / Credits: 3 )
3
PUB 5439
Administrative Law and Ethics in the Public Sector (PUB 5439 / Credits: 3 )
3
PUB 5449
Public Policy Analysis (PUB 5449 / Credits: 3 )
3
PUB 5459
Managing Information and Technology in the Public Sector (PUB 5459 / Credits: 3 )
3
PUB 5469
Public Finance (PUB 5469 / Credits: 3 )
3
PUB 5926
Public Budgeting (PUB 5926 / Credits: 3 )
3
PUB 5932
Sustainable Community Development (PUB 5932 / Credits: 3 )
3
REE 5878
Real Estate Development Process: Part I (REE 5878 / Credits: 3 )
3
Select one of the following two courses: ( )
GIS 5866
Intro to Geographic Information Systems (GIS 5866 / Credits: 3 )
3
PUB 5925
Leadership Public Sector (PUB 5925 / Credits: 3 )
3
Capstone (3 credits - choose one from the following)
Credits
PUB 5945
Master of Public Administration Integrative Seminar (PUB 5945 / Credits: 3 )
3
PUB 5941
Public Administration Internship (PUB 5941 / Credits: 3 )
3

For a full list of all course descriptions, visit coursewizard.nova.edu.

Current students: Please consult your Academic Advisor for program requirements or access SharkLink for your Degree Works audit. Program requirements are subject to change, and your Academic Advisor or Degree works audit can provide you with the courses required for your catalog term.

NSU's M.P.A. is accredited by the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA) Commission on Peer Review and Accreditation and listed on the Annual Roster of Accredited Programs in conformity with NASPAA standards. Being part of a program that is accredited by NASPAA is widely considered the global standard in public service education.

NASPAA Accreditation Information

M.P.A. Program Mission

The mission of NSU's H. Wayne Huizenga College of Business and Entrepreneurship's Master of Public Administration program is to enhance local governance through teaching, research, and active public service. Our flexible course delivery options prepare our diverse student population to serve the local community with integrity, objectivity, and creativity. The program fosters critical thinking, analytical decision-making, and ethical leadership skills necessary to effectively address public sector challenges and opportunities.
In addition to embodying the Nova Southeastern University core values: Academic Excellence, Student Centered, Integrity, Innovation, Opportunity, Scholarship/Research, Diversity, and Community, the NSU Florida M.P.A. program is committed to:
  1. Transparency and accountability in teaching, research, and service that supports the local community and advances the public administration profession
  2. Demonstrating mutual respect among faculty, students, and the community to support diversity and inclusiveness
  3. Developing ethical, knowledgeable, and proficient public service leaders that serve with integrity, objectivity, and creativity
  4. Providing experiential learning opportunities to foster sustainability through critical thinking and analytical decision-making skills

PG 1.0: The MPA Program will maintain a mission, public service values, goals and outcomes that support the needs of local government and align with available resources
PG 2.0: The MPA program will maintain administrative and governance capacity sufficient to fulfill its mission
PG 3.0: The MPA Program shall maintain a diverse faculty who are effective teachers, are involved in academic research, participate in scholarly activity, and provide service to their community and profession
PG 4.0: The MPA Program will maintain enrollments that are diverse and reflect a commitment to public service that strengthens communities
PG 5.0: The MPA Program will provide a structure and support services (e.g., advising, career counseling, and job search assistance) that allow students to complete their degrees in a timely fashion and advance their careers in public service
PG 6.0: The MPA Program will provide a curriculum aligned with local government needs and maintain student learning outcomes in support of its mission.

LG1. Public Sector Knowledge: Our students will apply knowledge and skills in public policy and administration
LO1. Our students will demonstrate competence in applying public policy and administration theories, perspectives, and practices to enhance the policy process

LG1. Analytical Decision-Making: Our students will be analytical decision-makers
LO1. Students will apply financial, economic, statistical, and technological models to make evidence-based decisions on public sector projects

LG3. Communication: Our students will be effective communicators
LO1. Students will compose technically proficient and professional public sector documents appropriate for the intended audience
LO2. Students will arrange and deliver persuasive and productive oral presentations to convey information and findings on public sector projects

LG4. Critical Thinking: Our students will be critical thinkers
LO1. Students will apply critical thinking processes to evaluate complex social problems within the public sector

LG5. Ethical Leadership: Our students will be ethical leaders
LO1. Students will employ effective, ethical leadership skills and community welfare principles to public sector situations

“To be a change agent and see how physical improvements, beautification efforts, and economic development impact the way citizens feel about themselves and where they live is extremely rewarding.”

George L. Hanbury II, Ph.D., President and CEO of Nova Southeastern University, Professor of Public Administration, and former City Manager of Fort Lauderdale, FL

Admission Requirements

Ready for the Next Step?

We’re thrilled you’re applying to NSU’s Master's in Public Administration program.

This program accepts students in the fall and winter terms.

NSU recommends that you start the application process at least 1–2 months prior to the deadline date.

Have the following items ready to submit with your online application:

  • $50 non-refundable application fee
  • Official transcripts from all schools attended 
  • Admissions essay of 500–1,000 words
  • Two academic or professional letters of recommendation
  • Resume or curriculum vitae (CV)
  • TOEFL scores (if applicable)
You may also be asked to complete an interview for admission.

Required Admission Documentation:

  1. Completed Master's Application for Admission.
  2. $50 non-refundable application fee.
  3. Official transcripts from all colleges and universities previously attended. The applicant's bachelor degree transcript must show degree conferral date in order to be evaluated for admission consideration. Electronic transcripts can be sent to electronictranscript@nova.edu. Hard copies may be mailed to:
    Nova Southeastern University
    Enrollment Processing Services (EPS)
    Attn: H. Wayne Huizenga College of Business and Entrepreneurship
    3300 S. University Drive
    PO Box 299000
    Fort Lauderdale-Davie, Florida 33328-2004
  4. A current professional resume that demonstrates five or more years of public sector experience in positions with increasing levels of responsibility. 
  5. Two (2) letters of recommendation from employment supervisors.
  6. An essay of 500-750+ words explaining why you wish to pursue the Master of Public Administration degree and how it will help to fulfill their personal and professional goals. Also, describe in detail your accomplishments, experiences, value, potential for professional excellence and commitment to complete the degree program.

Optional Admission Documentation:

  • Phone or in-person interview with department chair and/or faculty
  • GRE/GMAT scores
  • A one-hour online diagnostic entrance test to be administered at no-cost by the department. Details will be provided to students once they have submitted all other application materials.

International Applicants

To be considered for acceptance into the M.P.A. program, international applicants must fulfill additional admission criteria.

Applications are evaluated as soon as the student's file is complete.

  • A conferred bachelor's degree earned from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or equivalent for international applicants, with a 3.1 GPA overall may be considered for admission.
  • For all applicants with an undergraduate GPA below 3.1, the M.P.A. Faculty Admissions Committee reserves the right to place conditions on the applicants' first terms, such as: remedial coursework in appropriate subjects, limit course enrollment to appropriate levels, suspend or dismiss such applicants based upon first term course grades or require GMAT scores of 450+ or GRE scores of 306+. The exam must have been completed in the past three years.
  • Applicants with a GPA between 2.25-3.09 overall or in the last 60 credit hours of their undergraduate program, and/or applicants with an undergraduate degree from a non-regionally accredited institution may be granted admission at the discretion of the Dean in consultation with the M.P.A. Faculty Admissions Committee. This consideration is based on an overall review of the application package.
  • A Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL or IELTS or PTE Academic) is required for any applicant whose native language is not English and whose bachelor's degree education was not completed in English. The minimum required scores are as follows: a TOEFL score of 550 (paper test) or 79 (Internet test), a score of 6.0 on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) exam, or a score of 54 on the PTE Academic exam. Test scores cannot be more than two years old. A letter on official letterhead from the applicant's prior university stating that all bachelor's degree course material was taught and studied in English may suffice for the TOEFL requirement.

Success Stories

Adriana Fazzano Ficano, M.P.A. 2015

Chief of Staff and Associate Vice President for Corporate Relations, Broward College

"If you are a public servant in a leadership capacity at any type of government entity, this is the program for you."

Bryant Walker, M.P.A. 2010

Director of Aviation, City of Brownsville, San Padre Island International Airport

"My field is fairly specialized, however the MPA prepared me in numerous ways for this position. I’m prepared for board meetings, commission meetings, and all aspects of my job."

Marjorie McNichols-Sealey, M.P.A. 2012

Assistant Chief of Quality & Systems Improvement, Veteran’s Affairs

After serving in the U.S. Air Force for 30 years, Marjorie embraced her dream of living in a small town and utilized her M.P.A. degree to gain the latest and greatest skills for her career.

Desiree Casanova, M.P.A. 2021

Assistant to the County Administrator

"I had the privilege of attending NSU as an undergraduate and wanted to continue my education in public service, where I could work to positively impact lives and make a difference in my community."

Master This Changing World and Fulfill Your Purpose

The world is changing more rapidly than ever and it’s not kind to those who settle for ordinary. Instead of chasing the paycheck, we say do it for the payoff. People, planet, then profit. That’s the triple bottom line. Do your best. Be your best. Because that’s how to be Best for Our World.™

Be an earth shaker. A risk taker. A barrier breaker. Be anything you want to be. As long as you become a Difference Maker.

About the NSU Edge

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Doctor of Public Administration (D.P.A.)

NSU's Doctor of Public Administration program will help you take your leadership skills to the next level while preparing you to tackle the social, economic, and political challenges of modern civic life.

The H. Wayne Huizenga College of Business and Entrepreneurship graduate enrollment office is located in the Carl DeSantis Building in Suite 1115 on NSU's Fort Lauderdale-Davie campus in Davie, Florida. Click here for a map.

Phone: (954) 262-5067 or Toll-Free: (800) 672-7223 x25067

Email: hcbeinfo@nova.edu

Schedule an Appointment

Hours of Operation

Monday – Friday
8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

 

Take The Next Step