North Carolina MPA Programs

Click for more online MPA programs that are taking applications for 2024.

There are 12 regionally and NASPAA accredited MPA programs in North Carolina (online included). Click to jump to the list of North Carolina MPA programs.

Many schools offering an MPA degree in North Carolina will focus on local, state, and federal policy writing throughout many of their courses. However, some schools will dive into international affairs like North Carolina State University. Their MPA program mentions that they have an extensive alumni network in Washington DC which could be appealing for those looking at federal or international public administration work.

We have compiled a comprehensive list of all the school programs offering an MPA degree in the state of North Carolina along with state-specific information and data. We aim to make your decision-making process as painless as possible since we know just how many options you have throughout the state.

University / School	Online Program	Admissions
Syracuse University	Executive Master of Public Administration (Executive MPA) Earn an MPA for Executives from the #1-ranked Maxwell School. Complete in as few as 15 months.	No GRE Required Website
Grand Canyon University	Online MPA - Government and Policy 100% online, 38 credit hours. MPA degree with a government and policy emphasis focuses on law and administrative processes, public governance and strategic solutions. Additional emphasis available in Health Care Management and Nonprofit Management.	No Application Fee Website
American University	Online MPAP - Master of Public Administration and Policy Top-ranked school for public affairs. NASPAA-accredited. Online MPA, MPAP, MPP.	Website
Ohio University	Online Master of Public Administration MPA equips you for leadership roles in government, nonprofit organizations, and the public sector. Project Management Certificate option available.	No GRE Required Website
Arizona State University	Online Master of Public Administration 100% online, 14 total classes (42 credits). NASPAA Accredited. Prepare for high-impact roles in government, the nonprofit sector, more.	Website

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Appalachian State University: Master of Public Administration (MPA)
Duke University: Master of Public Policy (MPP)
East Carolina University: Master of Public Administration (MPA)
North Carolina Central University: Master of Public Administration (MPA)
North Carolina State University at Raleigh: Master of Public Administration (MPA)

Click here to jump to the full list, or view the list of the best online MPA degrees.

Common MPA Degree Concepts

There are several schools in North Carolina that don’t require an undergraduate degree in public administration for entrance into the master’s program. So many future students might be unfamiliar with some of the core concepts taught in public administration. Here are a few of those theories broken down so you have an idea of what the different MPA courses might be teaching:

• New Public Management Theory: This theory looks at how open market concepts are starting to push their way into what many consider non-capitalist areas of the public. This seems to be a much more current and developing theory that have some experts claiming it is only a temporary one.
• Postmodern Public Administration Theory: A more all-encompassing look at every part of every agency that makes up “public administration” and the various roles they play. A big focus of this theory resides in ethics and the right/wrong aspects of government.

Sponsored Online MPA Programs

Consider a sponsored online MPA program currently accepting applications.

University / School	Online Program	Admissions
Syracuse University	Executive Master of Public Administration (Executive MPA)	No GRE Required Website
Grand Canyon University	Online MPA - Government and Policy	No Application Fee Website
American University	Online MPAP - Master of Public Administration and Policy	Website
Ohio University	Online Master of Public Administration	No GRE Required Website
Arizona State University	Online Master of Public Administration	Website
University of Texas Permian Basin	Online Master of Public Administration	Website
Johns Hopkins University AAP	Master of Arts in Public Management	Website
Johns Hopkins University AAP	Master of Arts in Government	Website
Aurora University	Online MPA (one year)	Website
Drake University	Online MPA	Website
Johns Hopkins University AAP	MA in Non-Governmental Organization Management	Website
Anna Maria College	Master of Public Administration	Website

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Best North Carolina MPA Programs - Online and Campus

Appalachian State University

Master of Public Administration (MPA)

Boone | NASPAA | SACSCC Accredited

Multiple campus based program concentrations and tracks in Administration of Justice, Not-for-Profit Management, Public Management, and Town, City, and County Management. The MPA Program is located at three places: On-campus in Boone and off-campus in Winston-Salem and Hickory.

Duke University

Master of Public Policy (MPP)

Durham | SACSCC Accredited

The MPP program at Duke offers individuals the knowledge to become analysts, leader and managers at government, nonprofits and corportations. Students can choose their focus on Development Policy, Environment and Energy, Health Policy, Global Policy, National Security, Population Studies and Social Policy.

East Carolina University

Master of Public Administration (MPA)

Greenville | NASPAA | SACSCC Accredited

MPA program focuses on a problem-solving approach to public management issues and the analysis of public policy. Two areas of emphasis are available within the ECU MPA program: Management, and Public Policy. Graduate certificate programs are also available.

North Carolina Central University

Master of Public Administration (MPA)

Durham | SACSCC Accredited

NCCU offers students an MPA program that enables them to be successful in the public and non-profit sectors. Students can choose from the Traditional MPA or the Executive MPA.

North Carolina State University at Raleigh

Master of Public Administration (MPA)

Raleigh | SACSCC Accredited

The 40-hour MPA program at NCSU prepares students for careers in public and nonprofit agencies. Specializations within the program include public management, nonprofit management, urban management, financial management, organizational leadership, public policy, and justice administration.

Strayer University-North Carolina

Masters Degree in Public Administration

Morrisville | MSCHE Accredited

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Master of Public Administration (MPA)

Chapel Hill | SACSCC Accredited

The UNC MPA program assists students in attaining leadership positions in government and in public interest organizations. Online classes and Dual Degree programs are also available. MPA program teaches the skills necessary to assume leadership positions within government and nonprofit organizations. Areas of concentration include Community & Economic Development, International Relations, Local Government, Nonprofit Management, and Public Health.

University of North Carolina at Charlotte

MPA

Charlotte | SACSCC Accredited

UNC Charlotte's MPA Program is accredited by the NASPAA and has been named the second best value college for earning an MPA degree. The program offers concentrations in the following areas: urban management & policy, nonprofit management, emergency management, public budgeting & finance, and arts administration.

University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Master Of Public Affairs (MPA)

Greensboro | SACSCC Accredited

University of North Carolina at Pembroke

MPA

Pembroke | SACSCC Accredited

The MPA program at UNC Pembroke provides studies for students in the public and non-profit sectors. Concentrations are available in Public Management, Emergency Management, Criminal Justice, and Health Administration.

University of North Carolina Wilmington

Master of Public Administration (MPA)

Wilmington | SACSCC Accredited

The Master of Public Administration program at UNCW is accredited by the NASPAA and provides professionals advanced career opportunities in leadership and management. The available concentrations are Public Management, Nonprofit Management, Public Policy Analysis, Urban and Regional Policy & Planning, Coastal Management, Environmental Policy & Management, and Marine Policy.

Western Carolina University

Master of Public Affairs (MPA)

Cullowhee | NASPAA | SACSCC Accredited

WCU offers an MPA program for students pursuing public policy careers. Graduates find advanced work in the government, private and nonprofit fields.

Some of the courses you might expect to see (we pulled these directly from various North Carolina MPA degree curriculum):

• Organizational Theory: Trying to organize a large organization or even coordinate a small one with many different challenges can be tough. In this course, you’ll likely understand different organizational theories to both companies and government entities as well as how to properly scale as the need arises.
• Law and Public Administration: Law and government go hand in hand and this course looks to explore how policies can take on the form of law. You’ll likely also learn about how it is the role of public administration officials to convey those policies effectively to the public as they’re made.
• County Management: MPA graduates may find a career in their local city or county government agencies. Typically, each one of those agencies will have their own budgets and initiatives that try to make an impact on their local communities. This course will look at ways to organize those local resources and ways that the public may perceive those efforts.

This is just a small sampling of example courses you might see in the MPA program. As a large part of the courses you take are electives, the sampling could vary.

Overview of MPA Public Administration Degrees in North Carolina

Obtaining a Master’s in Public Administration can lead graduates into many diverse professional fields. Some students choose to pursue careers as public leaders in public and nonprofit organizations, while others may choose to focus more on policy and regulation improvement in society.

Regardless of which type of career you choose, there may be online MPA programs available in North Carolina to help you get started on your journey. Our team of educational experts has reviewed the degree offerings within this state and found 2 online and NASPAA-accredited programs for you to choose from.

Benefits of the MPA

The benefits of accredited MPA programs may extend beyond what you might think. Accreditation can contribute to a more thoroughly reviewed curriculum, more accurate data and better application of knowledge in the career field. Careers that require certification may also require students to complete accredited degree programs, since the quality of these programs goes beyond the standard MPA degree.

If you are interested in pursuing accredited options for your MPA degree, you may consider MPA programs offered by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Northeastern University. Both of these universities are open to N.C. residents and can be a reputable option for pursuing a higher degree.

There Are Online MPA Programs in NC

Residents of the state of North Carolina may be more inclined to choose an online degree program offered through universities within their area.

The most popular city for online MPA programs is currently Chapel Hill, which is home to one of the leading universities in the state. The online MPA program offered in this area may include virtual lectures, online testing and submission of assignments through online upload tools. The ease of access of online courses can allow students more time for a full-time job or even to simply engage in personal recreation.

Online MPA Programs in North Carolina

• The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill: Chapel Hill, North Carolina is currently home to one of the most preferred universities in the state. The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill can provide students with a well-rounded educational program in public administration, with their online MPA program containing available specializations in Economic Development, Nonprofit Management, City/Local Management and Public Health. Students taking part in these programs can engage with their instructors via a helpful online email tool, submit assignments through virtual drop boxes and sit in on exams from their very own home.
• Northeastern University: There are several reasons why N.C. residents may choose Northeastern University for their degree program. This university currently offers a NASPAA-accredited degree program in Public Administration that contains high-quality elements for upcoming professionals. Students choosing this degree program can choose from specializations in General Public Administration, Nonprofit Management, Policy Analysis, Urban Informatics and Data Analytics. These accredited degree programs can help to shape a career in many diverse public fields.

Top North Carolina MPA Related Careers

There are a variety of different options you can entertain once you’ve completed your MPA degree. You could look at places like the University of North Carolina to see if they have any assistant professor positions teaching public administration.

If you’re looking to get into the non-profit sector, you could look at places like the United Way of Greater Greensboro or the Bethesda Center for the Homeless. All could be potential options for MPA graduates.

It’s also important to know salary and job-related statistics for the state of North Carolina to help set expectations upon graduate. We pulled government BLS data (source) for various job roles that MPA graduates may have in the state of North Carolina.

We encourage you to utilize our full list of North Carolina MPA degrees to begin the start of your new life in public administration!