Master of Public Administration

The Master of Public Administration (MPA) is a graduate program focused on public service, preparing students to address community challenges. It features core coursework in ethical leadership, data-driven decision-making, and public budgeting, often taught from an interdisciplinary perspective. Students can specialize in compelling topics and apply their skills through a capstone project involving real-world scenarios.

Focus areas include Environmental regulation, Criminal justice, Educational policy, Parks and recreation.

Graduates work in government agencies and nonprofit organizations, serving as a link between policy and reality, managing public funds, streamlining processes, and taking on leadership roles in public service.

Founded in Albany in 1971, Excelsior University focuses on educational opportunity, lifelong learning, and degree completion. Its mission serves students of every age, background, and type of experience, including adults returning to college, full-time professionals, parents, career changers, and learners who have faced barriers in higher education. The institution is not-for-profit and has a main campus in Albany, New York, alongside an educational site in St. Petersburg, Florida.

Excelsior’s academic programs cover business, health care, liberal arts, nursing, and technology. Its online offerings include degrees and certificates, with courses beginning every eight weeks. A business degree can support study in project management, marketing strategy, and data analysis. Computer science students prepare for technology work in areas such as data science, artificial intelligence, and networks. Hybrid nursing and technology programs in St. Petersburg combine online learning with in-person labs.

Students choose a study model designed around flexible access and career goals. Academic advisors, faculty, and staff provide support to students finishing a degree, earning a first degree, or beginning another one. Excelsior also offers scholarships and financial-aid guidance. Its worldwide alumni network includes more than 200,000 graduates, creating a broad community for students studying online from different locations.