Master of Public Administration at University of Pittsburgh

Programme overview

The MPA prepares leaders for public service in nonprofit agencies, government offices and private businesses worldwide, building a flexible skill set in neighborhood development, data interpretation, advocacy for effective local government, ethical leadership, responsible business practices and critical problem solving.

Faculty: School of Public and International Affairs | Department: Master of Public Administration | Intake: Fall and Spring terms | Location: Pittsburgh, PA, United States

What you will study

Concentrations: Energy & Environment, Public & Nonprofit Management, Governance & International Public Management, Social Policy, Policy Research and Analysis, and Urban Affairs & Planning. Experiential learning includes collaborative research and learning abroad, and area studies certificates are available. Joint degrees: JD, MPH, MSIS, MSW, MQE and a joint degree with Kobe University in Japan.

Career pathways

Class of 2024 employment: 29% local/state government, 10% federal government, 38% nonprofit/NGO, 14% private. MPA accreditation cohort data (Fall 2018): 71% graduated in two years and 91% in four years.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

School of Public and International Affairs graduate admissions (master's programmes): online application via GradCAS; resume or CV; personal essay (5,000 characters) on motivation for public and international affairs, skills contributed and fit with SPIA; optional additional essay; unofficial transcripts from all institutions attended (official final transcript after admission); two letters of recommendation from professors or supervisors; non-refundable $50 application fee (waivers case by case). GRE and GMAT are optional and not required. International applicants: TOEFL minimum 80 iBT (90 or above strongly preferred; on the new 1-6 scale from January 21, 2026 the minimum is 4.0 overall and in every subscore), IELTS 6.5 overall and in each subsection, or Duolingo English Test 120; exempt with a degree from a regionally accredited US institution or citizenship of certain English-speaking countries. Deadlines: Fall (US citizens and permanent residents) first priority February 1, second April 15, third June 1; Spring November 1; international applicants January 15 (Fall) and August 1 (Spring).

Requirements published at faculty level.

Domestic applicants: USD 27,412 a year (2026-27). Pennsylvania-resident graduate tuition, School of Public and International Affairs, full-time two terms (fall and spring). Tuition only; mandatory fees and other expenses excluded. Source

International applicants: USD 49,272 a year (2026-27). Out-of-state (non-PA resident) graduate tuition, School of Public and International Affairs, full-time two terms (fall and spring). Tuition only; mandatory fees and other expenses excluded. Source

Entry terms (Fall, Spring, Summer) and deadlines are set by each school or department; the University's graduate catalog lists Fall, Spring and Summer terms for new graduate students.

Graduate and professional applications are made online to the school or department of intended study, with deadlines set by each school or department; official English-test results are required from applicants from countries where English is not the official language.

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