MPA Public Administration (Nonprofit Administration) at Arizona State University

Programme overview

ASU ranks No. 5 for best graduate nonprofit management program by U.S. News & World Report, 2025.

What you will study

42 credit hours including the required capstone course (PAF 509) Required Core (27 credit hours) PAF 501 Public Service Research I (3) PAF 502 Public Service Research II (3) PAF 503 Public Affairs (3) PAF 504 Microeconomics of Public Policy I (3) PAF 505 Public Policy Analysis (3) PAF 506 Public Budgeting and Finance (3) PAF 507 Public Human Resource Management (3) PAF 508 Organization Behavior (3) PAF 574 Diversity, Ethics and Leading Public Change (3) Concentration (9 credit hours) NLM 510 The Nonprofit Sector (3) NLM 520 Financial and Resource Management (3) other approved course (3) Electives or Research (3 credit hours) Culminating Experience (3 credit hours) PAF 509 Public Affairs Capstone (3) Additional Curriculum Information Students should see the academic unit for a complete list of approved electives as well as the list of courses that may fulfill the concentration requirement.

Career pathways

Graduates are prepared to pursue a career in a field related to public administration or public policy. Possible positions include manager or policy analyst in a local, state or federal agency; nonprofit organization; or private organization that interfaces with the public sector.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions. Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a bachelor's or master's degree from a regionally accredited institution in a related field. Related fields include social science disciplines, although the department may accept applicants with degrees from all educational backgrounds, provided the minimum requirements for the degree program are met. Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program. All applicants must submit: graduate admission application and application fee official transcripts two letters of recommendation written statement proof of English proficiency Additional Application Information An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency.

Domestic applicants: USD 13,327 a year (2026-27). Arizona resident tuition. Tuition only for the graduate on-campus (Tempe/Downtown Phoenix/Polytechnic/West Valley) rate band in the ASU tuition estimator, 2026-27: Fall 2026 plus Spring 2027 term tuition summed (full-time flat rate; part-time credit loads Source

International applicants: USD 24,780 a year (2026-27). International tuition. Tuition only for the graduate on-campus (Tempe/Downtown Phoenix/Polytechnic/West Valley) rate band in the ASU tuition estimator, 2026-27: Fall 2026 plus Spring 2027 term tuition summed (full-time flat rate; part-time credit loads ar Source

Entry terms: Fall, Spring and Summer; the terms available for each programme are listed in Degree Search.

Graduate application deadlines are set by each programme office and listed in Degree Search; the application opens almost a year before the start term. The nonrefundable application fee is $75 for U.S. citizens, permanent residents, DACA and international online students outside the U.S., and $120 for international students on a nonimmigrant visa studying in the U.S. Apply with ASU's graduate application (Law applicants use the law college's site); GRE/GMAT requirements vary by programme.

Apply through the official page: https://admission.asu.edu/apply/graduate/admission

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