Public Administration, M.P.A.
Contact Us
School of Public and Nonprofit Administration
Grand Valley State University
401 Fulton Street West
Grand Rapids, Michigan 49504
Telephone: (616) 331-6575
Email: hoffmanm@gvsu.edu
Master in Public Administration Overview
Grand Valley State University’s Master of Public Administration (M.P.A.) is offered through the School of Public and Nonprofit Administration and develops both the general knowledge and specific abilities needed for leadership in a fast-changing world.
About the M.P.A. Degree
The M.P.A. curriculum is designed to prepare students to act ethically and effectively in public management, urban/regional policy and planning, nonprofit management and leadership, criminal justice, and health administration, and to transcend traditional boundaries in the pursuit of prosperous, safe, and healthy communities.
- Versatile. Choose from concentrations in public management, urban and regional policy and planning, health administration, nonprofit management and leadership, and criminal justice.
- Convenient. Courses are offered at the Richard M. DeVos Center in downtown Grand Rapids.
- Accredited. Accredited by the National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration (NASPAA), an institutional membership organization that exists to promote excellence in public service education.
- Flexible. Available to full- or part-time students. Many classes are offered at times to accommodate working professionals, including evening and weekend courses and workshops, and Internet-enhanced learning.
The M.P.A. degree consists of a minimum of 39 credit hours of coursework. Precareer students must take three credit hours of internship in addition to the 39 required hours of coursework for a total of 42 credit hours. Students must meet with an advisor upon entry into the program to develop a program of study.
Related Programs
- Master of Science in Criminal Justice
- Master of Social Work (M.S.W.)
- Master of Health Administration (M.H.A.)
- Master of Business Administration (M.B.A)
- Master of Business Administration with Health Sector Management Emphasis (M.B.A.)
Admissions
M.P.A. degree requirements and application for admission are available online. The $30 application fee is waived for undergraduate alumni of Grand Valley.
Cost
Grand Valley offers an excellent education at a reasonable cost and a number of ways to finance your graduate degree.

