Master of Public Administration in Urban Planning

What Will You Study in Liberty University’s M.P.A. in Urban Planning?

• Financial, legal, and political implications of urban planning and public administration
• Foundational principles of public administration
• How to use geographic information systems (GIS) as an urban planner

This degree program’s curriculum is designed to be multifaceted in order to help you gain a holistic understanding of what it takes to work as an urban planner. Under the guidance of our esteemed professors, you can develop a diverse skill set that encompasses best practices for public administrators and city planners alike. Choosing Liberty means choosing a school that’s committed to helping you grow academically and professionally.

Benefits of Pursuing Your M.P.A. in Urban Planning with 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 M.P.A. 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!
• You’ll be able to access a wide variety of scholarly resources through our top-notch library portal.

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
• 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 Careers for M.P.A. in Urban Planning Graduates

• City or town planner
• Conservation officer
• Housing officer
• Local government officer
• Transport planner