Master of Public Administration
Prepare to Make a Difference in the Public Sector With a Master’s Degree in Public Administration
Public Administration professionals are essential to ensuring the government operates smoothly on a day-to-day basis. If you are passionate about positively influencing the economy and your community, Liberty University’s Master of Public Administration (M.P.A.) is an excellent degree option for you! With a degree from Liberty, you can become equipped with a well-rounded education that focuses on meeting your academic and spiritual needs.
Your success is our primary goal. We know that our students have diverse goals and big dreams. When you choose a master’s in public administration, you have the unique opportunity to customize your degree with an area of study. Some popular specializations include business and government policy, healthcare, and law and public policy.
What Will You Study in Our Master of Public Administration Online Degree?
- Public sector management
- Budgeting
- The implementation of public policy
In Liberty University’s Master of Public Administration program, you’ll study the core principles that guide effective leadership and governance in public service. You’ll explore topics such as public policy analysis, administrative ethics, budgeting and finance, organizational leadership, and strategic planning. Through these areas, you can gain insight into how government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and other public institutions operate, helping you develop the skills needed to navigate complex challenges and serve communities with integrity and purpose.
Highlights of the Master’s in Public Administration Degree Online at Liberty University
As a leader in distance education since 1985, we understand what it takes to create a flexible and affordable education for busy people. Since we have been investing in distance and online learning for decades, our experience has taught us how to streamline our degree options so you can focus on what really matters to you. While many schools offer online degrees, we believe Liberty stands out.
Here’s what sets us apart:
- Our online programs are backed by our brick-and-mortar campus – ranked as Niche.com’s #2 Best College Campus in America for 2026 – and that commitment to excellence extends to our online students as well. Earning your online MPA degree from a nonprofit university with this kind of recognition can help set you apart from others in your field.
- Most of our online tuition rates rank in the top 35% for affordability for 2025 when compared to our leading online competitors. As a nonprofit university, Liberty continues to strive to keep costs low for our students!
- Liberty University is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
Military Benefits
Service is important to us, so whether you’re currently serving in the Armed Forces, have served, or are married to someone who serves, we’re here to serve you. Liberty’s military benefits are available to:
- Active duty service members of the U.S. Armed Forces
- Reserve/National Guard
- Veterans/retirees
- Spouses of service members and veterans/retirees
- Current Department of Defense employees
We are proud to support you in your pursuit of a flexible and affordable online education by offering you the following benefits:
- Tuition discounts – $290 per credit hour for graduate courses.
- Additional discount for veterans who serve in a civilian capacity as a First Responder (less than $625 per course).
- 8-week courses, 8 different start dates each year, and no set login times (may exclude certain courses such as practicums, internships, or field experiences).
Potential Career Opportunities for M.P.A. Graduates
- Administrative officer
- Compliance manager
- Social and community service manager
Cited tuition rates are reflective of academic year 2025-2026. Tuition rates may change annually. For the most current information, please visit our LU Tuition Cost page.
Credit Hours
Available Online
Class Type
100% online, 8-week courses
Transfer Credits
Transfer in up to 50% of the degree total
Next Start Date
Jan 19, 2026
Accreditation
Liberty University is accredited by SACSCOC
