Mission

The Master of Public Administration at Arkansas State University exists to enhance individual, organizational, social and governmental capacity in the public and non-profit sectors by equipping preservice and mid-career students with sound management skills and a public/non-profit philosophy to lead public institutions of the future with integrity, innovation, excellence and professionalism.

Admission Requirements

To be considered for admission to the MPA program, in addition to meeting Graduate Programs admission requirements applicants must provide:

• Three letters of recommendation
• A statement of purpose indicating why the student wishes to undertake the MPA

Moreover, an applicant’s undergraduate background must include courses with grades of “C” or higher in U.S. government, principles of economics, and research methods, or their equivalents. If the student is deficient, these courses must be taken in addition to the graduate course requirements specified below. Such undergraduate deficiencies must be completed prior to or during the first graduate enrollment period.

Any potential graduate transfer credits must be from another NASPAA (National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration)-accredited program to be eligible for consideration. Per Graduate Admissions guidelines, to gain unconditional admission a student must also have a 3.0 GPA for any prior graduate courses or programs. Only 9 hours of transfer work will be accepted.

For unconditional admission, a student must have a minimum cumulative undergraduate grade point average of 3.2.

For conditional admission, academic proficiency must be established by a minimum cumulative undergraduate grade point average of 3.0.

Students who earn “D” or “F” grades in graduate work elsewhere will not be admitted to the program. Students who earn “F” grades in the MPA at Arkansas State University will not be re-admitted to the program.

4+1 (Accelerated) Master’s Program

Qualified undergraduate students may be eligible to enter the program in their junior and senior year of study.