The North Carolina Central University Master of Public Administration (M.P.A.) program trains leaders in public service by enhancing their knowledge, skills and abilities through scholarship and professional development with a global lens. We advance diversity through truth and service to promote social equity. The M.P.A. is a professional graduate degree that enables graduates to be effective public sector and nonprofit agency leaders.
The Department of Public Administration offers two options to earn an M.P.A. degree through the traditional and executive tracks. Both tracks prepare students from diverse backgrounds to become professionals in government and the nonprofit sector. It equips each student with the ability to ethically apply the knowledge and skills required for leadership and management.
The M.P.A degree is a 14-course, 42-credit hour program. In the Traditional Track, with a normal three-course semester load, this degree is a two-year (five-term) program. Courses are primarily in-person on weekday evenings (6–8:45 p.m.), with a few hybrid and online course options. The Executive Track is an 18-month (five-term) program with a three-course semester load. The Executive Track is a hybrid program with one course offered 100% online, and in-person class meetings on Saturdays from 9 a.m to 4 p.m.
Specializations are offered in Law and Society, Human Resources, Non-profit Management, Public Health Policy and Urban and Regional Planning. M.P.A. students are not required to declare a specialization.
Dual-degree programs exist with the NCCU School of Law (for a J.D. and M.P.A. dual degree) and with the NCCU School of Library and Information Sciences (for an M.P.A. and M.I.S. dual degree).
The Executive Track is a hybrid program with two semesters Summer is offered 100% online and the Fall and Spring semesters will hold in-person class meetings on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.