Texas MPA Programs

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Consider a sponsored online MPA program currently accepting applications.

University / School Online Program Admissions
University of Texas Permian Basin
Online Master of Public Administration
Complete in as little as 12 months, six start dates a year, cost-effective tuition.
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Click for more online MPA programs that are taking applications for 2024.

There are 36 regionally and NASPAA accredited MPA programs in Texas (online included). Click to jump to the list of Texas MPA programs.

There are several options to earn your Master of Public Administration degree in the state of Texas. We know it is a daunting task with both campus-based programs, online options, and even hybrids of both.

We’ve compiled a directory of all the different MPA programs in Texas to make your search easier and wanted to provide some state specific information relevant to those aiming to earn their MPA.

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Consider a sponsored online MPA program currently accepting applications.

University / School Online Program Admissions
Northeastern University
Online Master of Public Administration
Finish in as little as 1.5 years, No GRE required. NASPAA Accredited.
NASPAA Accredited
American University
Online MPAP - Master of Public Administration and Policy
Top-ranked school for public affairs. NASPAA-accredited. Online MPA, MPAP, MPP.
NASPAA Accredited
University of Texas Permian Basin
Online Master of Public Administration
Complete in as little as 12 months, six start dates a year, cost-effective tuition.
Ohio University
Online Master of Public Administration
MPA equips you for leadership roles in government, nonprofit organizations, the public sector and emergency and crisis management.
No GRE Required
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
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Here is a quick list of Texas MPA Programs:
  • Baylor University: Masters of Public Policy and Administration (MPPA)
  • Lamar University: Master of Public Administration (MPA)
  • Midwestern State University: Master of Public Administration
  • Rice University: Master of Public Administration
  • Sam Houston State University: Master of Public Administration (MPA)

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

Overview of MPA Public Administration Degrees in Texas

Seeking out the right type of MPA program can be an exciting task that introduces you to new realms of higher education. In the past, online master's programs were few and far between, making traditional programs the only reliable option.

As technology has grown into such an influential aspect on educational program, students may be seeing more and more reliable online programs introduced in their areas.

Sponsored Online MPA Programs

AD

Consider a sponsored online MPA program currently accepting applications.

University / School Online Program Admissions
Northeastern University
Online Master of Public Administration NASPAA Accredited
American University
Online MPAP - Master of Public Administration and Policy NASPAA Accredited
University of Texas Permian Basin
Online Master of Public Administration
Ohio University
Online Master of Public Administration No GRE Required
Syracuse University
Executive Master of Public Administration (Executive MPA) No GRE Required
Johns Hopkins University AAP
Master of Arts in Public Management
Johns Hopkins University AAP
Master of Arts in Government
Aurora University
Online MPA (one year)
Drake University
Online MPA
Johns Hopkins University AAP
MA in Non-Governmental Organization Management
Anna Maria College
Master of Public Administration
Johns Hopkins University AAP
MS Energy Policy & Climate
sponsored

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Best Texas MPA Programs - Online and Campus

Baylor University

Masters of Public Policy and Administration (MPPA)
Waco | SACSCC Accredited

Baylor University offers a Master of Public Policy and Administration (MPPA) degree. The components offers in the MPPA program include Core Courses, Elective Courses and Professional Internship.

Lamar University

Master of Public Administration (MPA)
Beaumont | SACSCC Accredited

Lamar University offers students a 36 hour MPA program. Some required courses for the degree include Administrative Theory, Human Resource Management, Fiscal Administration, Public Policy Formulation and Research Methods.

Midwestern State University

Master of Public Administration
Wichita Falls | SACSCC Accredited

Rice University

Master of Public Administration
Houston | SACSCC Accredited

Sam Houston State University

Master of Public Administration (MPA)
Huntsville | SACSCC Accredited

Sam Houston State offers an MPA that is online for student flexibility. The program has a concentration in disaster and emergency management.

St Mary's University

Master of Public Administration
San Antonio | SACSCC Accredited

St. Mary's offers an MPA with a specialization in Urban Management for individuals in the Texas and Southwest government region.

Stephen F Austin State University

Master of Public Administration (MPA)
Nacogdoches | SACSCC Accredited

SFA's MPA program provides online classes, research projects and internships as part of their curriculum. Students can continue working as they complete night classes on campus as well.

Strayer University-Texas

Master of Public Administration (MPA)
Austin | MSCHE Accredited

The MPA program at Strayer - North Austin offers courses online, on campus or both. Students gain knowledge in the nonprofit and government fields.

Sul Ross State University

Master of Arts in Public Administration
Alpine | SACSCC Accredited

Sul Ross offers an MA in public administration for students pursuing a degree in public service. Courses are offered online, on campus and on evenings and weekends.

Tarleton State University

Master of Public Administration (M.P.A.)
Stephenville | SACSCC Accredited

The M.P.A. program at Tarleton State prepares students for careers in the public sector. The program also adopts skills in smart cities initiatives.

Texas A&M International University

Master of Public Administration Degree (MPA)
Laredo | SACSCC Accredited

The MPA program at Texas A&M International is for students with baccalaureate degrees and interested in a career in the public or nonprofit field.

Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi

Master of Public Administration (MPA)
Corpus Christi | SACSCC Accredited

The MPA program at Texas A&M Corpus Christi prepares students for careers in the public and not for profit sectors. Specialized tracks available include public management, non-profit management, security studies, health care administration, and environmental science.

Texas A&M University, College Station

Master of Public Service and Administration (MPSA)
College Station | NASPAA Accredited

The Master of Public Service and Administration (MPSA)at The Bush School helps graduates face issues and challenges in the public sectors. The following concentrations are available: Analytical Methods (AM), Education Policy and Management (EDPM), Energy, Environment, and Technology Policy and Management (EETPM), Health Policy and Management (HPM), International Nongovernmental Organizations (INGO), Security Policy and Management (SPM), and State and Local Government Policy and Management (SLGPM).

Texas Southern University

Master of Public Administration (MPA)
Houston | NASPAA | SACSCC Accredited

The MPA program at Texas Southern University is for professionals seeking careers in the public sector.

Texas Southern University

Master of Public Policy
Houston | NASPAA | SACSCC Accredited

Texas State University

Master of Public Administration (MPA)
San Marcos | NASPAA | SACSCC Accredited

Texas State offers students an MPA using the DegreeWorks report as the official course of study. Concentration areas include public management, state and local government management, environmental policy and management, urban policy and planning, public finance, and non-profit sector management.

Texas Tech University

Master of Public Administration (MPA)
Lubbock | NASPAA | SACSCC Accredited

Texas Tech's MPA program provides students with managerial and analytical skills needed to advance their careers. Areas of concentration within the program include Public Management, Health Care Administration, Nonprofit Management, and Environmental Policy and Administration.

The University of Texas at Arlington

Master of Public Administration (MPA)
Arlington | NASPAA | SACSCC Accredited

UT Arlington's Master of Public Administration degree is for individuals pursuing management level careers in public services. The program focuses on Urban challenges and areas.

The University of Texas at Arlington

Master of Public Policy (MPP)
Arlington | NASPAA | SACSCC Accredited

UTA's MPP program offers knowledge in urban issues and solutions. Areas of concentrations include: Healthcare Policy, Environmental Policy or Economic and Community Development Policy.

The University of Texas at Austin

Master of Public Affairs (MPAff)
Austin | NASPAA | SACSCC Accredited

The MPAff program at LBJ teaches courses on theory and relevant analytical skills. The program offers specializations in the following areas: International Affairs, Natural Resources and the Environment, Nonprofit and Philanthropic Studies, Public Management and Leadership, Social and Economic Policy, Technology, Innovation, and Information Policy, and Urban and State Affairs.

The University of Texas at Austin

Master of Public Administration (MPA)
Austin | NASPAA | SACSCC Accredited

Master of Public Affairs is mainly focused on policy and management at the city, state, and federal levels as well as the non-profit and private levels.

The University of Texas at Brownsville

Master in Public Affairs (MPA)
Brownsville | SACSCC Accredited

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley offers an MPA for professional public service workers. Concentration areas are in Public Administration and Public Policy and Management.

The University of Texas at Dallas

Master in Public Affairs (MPA)
Richardson | NASPAA | SACSCC Accredited

The MPA program at UT Dallas teaches students creative solutions for financial, leadership and human resource challenges.

The University of Texas at Dallas

Master in Public Affairs (MPA)
Dallas | NASPAA | SACSCC Accredited

The MPA program at UT Dallas teaches students creative solutions for financial, leadership and human resource challenges.

The University of Texas at Dallas

Master in Public Affairs (MPA)
Dallas | NASPAA | SACSCC Accredited

The MPA program at UT Dallas teaches students creative solutions for financial, leadership and human resource challenges.

The University of Texas at Dallas

Master of Public Policy
Richardson | NASPAA | SACSCC Accredited

Program is designed to
prepare students to build competencies and
develop creative solutions for challenges in finance,
leadership, human resource and project
management.

The University of Texas at El Paso

Master of Public Administration (MPA)
El Paso | NASPAA | SACSCC Accredited

The Master of Public Administration (MPA) program at the University of Texas at El Paso is accredited by the NASPAA and provides instruction to students pursuing careers in the management of government and nonprofits.

The University of Texas at San Antonio

Master of Public Administration (MPA)
San Antonio | NASPAA | SACSCC Accredited

The University of Texas at Tyler

Master of Public Administration (MPA)
Tyler | SACSCC Accredited

The MPA degree at UT Tyler assists students to succeed in management and leadership roles within government, public and nonprofit organizations. Students can choose concentrations in Generalist MPA and Health Care Administration.

The University of Texas of the Permian Basin

Master of Public Administration
Odessa | SACSCC Accredited

UTPB's Master of Public Administration program focuses on middle and upper level management and leadership positions. Coursework includes public management and organization, human resources, public policy-making, and more.

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

Master in Public Affairs (MPA)
Edinburg | SACSCC Accredited

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley offers an MPA for professional public service workers. Concentration areas are in Public Administration and Public Policy and Management.

University of Houston

Master of Public Administration (MPA)
Houston | SACSCC Accredited

The UH MPA program is accredited by the NASPAA and offers students high levels of training in the public service fields. Specializations include: Oil & Gas Policy and Administration, Healthcare Policy and Administration, Public Management (local/State/Federal), Emergency Management, Non-profit Organizational Management, Educational Policy and Administration, Environment Policy and Administration, and Urban Planning.

University of North Texas at Dallas

M.S. in Public Leadership
Dallas | SACSCC Accredited

The M.S. in Public Leadership program at UNT Dallas offers students knowledge to change social issues. The main concentration available for this program is public leadership.

University of North Texas

Master of Public Administration (MPA)
Denton | NASPAA | SACSCC Accredited

UNT offers an MPA program for students working in all types of public service. Students can choose to specialize in Emergency Management, FInancial Management, Local Government Management, Nonprofit Management, and Human Resources Management.

University of St Thomas

Master of Public Policy and Administration (MPPA)
Houston | NCACSHLC Accredited

The Master of Public Policy and Administration degree program at UST provides students study in leadership and management roles. Concentration areas include: Generalist, Public Management, and Public Policy.

Wayland Baptist University

Master of Public Administration (MPA)
Plainview | SACSCC Accredited

Wayland Baptist University offers an MPA for students pursuing a career in public administration. Concentration areas are government administration, homeland security/emergency management, and justice administration specializations.

In the state of Texas, students can choose from 3 online MPA programs currently accredited by the NASPAA. Each program consists of its own contribution to the field of public administration, which can help you to become a better professional after engaging in them.

Online MPA vs. Campus-Based

The difference between online and traditional MPA programs can be found within the delivery. Online MPA programs typically consist of courses that allow students to complete work at their own pace, all while providing ample resources and learning opportunities to make this experience easier. Online MPA programs may also consist of concentration options that can assist students in gaining a specialty within their field.

Some popular cities for online MPA programs in Texas may be Arlington and College Station. These cities are home to universities such as Texas A&M University and the University of Texas at Arlington – both homes to accredited online MPA programs.

If you can see yourself working as a public service leader, within politics or even policy development, public administration degree programs may be the right choice for you. This field can have increasingly important influences on society, how well it operates and how effective it is at providing support to its members. Online MPA programs can help you gain the necessary skills for professionals within these positions.

Online MPA Programs in Texas

  • Texas A&M University: One of the most well-known universities in the state of Texas may be Texas A&M. This school offers a diverse set of degree programs for students with varying desires for their future. The online MPA program at this school can cater to the needs of upcoming management professionals, which concentration options in General, Public and Nonprofit Management. Depending on what you desire as a student, there is likely a MPA program to match. The asychronous nature of the courses at this university can allow students to complete courses at their own pace, which can contribute to overall success throughout their experience.
  • The University of Texas at Arlington: In Arlington, Texas, students can take part in a diverse online learning experience through the University of Texas at Arlington. This school offers part-time and full-time enrollment options for upcoming students, which could be great for students with busy work schedules or ample home responsibilities. Current concentration options for this program may include Budgeting/Finance, Economic Development, Human Resources and Nonprofit Management. The estimated completion time for this degree program is 2-3 years.

MPA Degree Core Concepts

The aim of any MPA degree will be to prepare students for a future career as leaders in the public service sector. Students can expect to see a lot of courses that review how to effectively communicate public policy programs in writing (something Texas State University specifically points out about their program).

You’ll also learn about different theories within public administration. A theory like Classical Public Administration Theory will look at how government can be run like a business and seeing things in an almost non-political light. New concepts are being hashed out every day so you can expect to see a wide array of new subject-matter coming into these degrees.

Top Texas MPA Related Careers

The different areas one can enter the workforce is dynamic with MPA graduates. You can choose a career path in the government sector, non-profits, or even something looking at environmental related policy. We pulled some of the career paths that could be options for those earning their MPA and some of the Texas related BLS data associated with those careers (source).

Job Classification 2016 National Median Annual Salary National Estimated Job Growth (2014 – 2024) Estimated Jobs in Texas Annual Mean Salary in Texas
Top Executives
$103,950
+6%
5,890
$218,880
Advertising, Promotions, and Marketing Managers
$127,560
+9%
1,210
$108,120
Public Relations and Fundraising Managers
$107,320
+7%
3,680
$129,060

You’ll have a lot of job options when looking across the different industries a career might be available. Here are a few common areas in Texas to start your potential public administration career:

  • Texas A&M, University of Texas and other schools in Texas could be hiring MPA graduates as professors.
  • Springtown, Olney, and other cities in Texas may have City Administrator roles available.
  • Shaping Destiny is a non-profit poverty alleviation organization in Round Rock. Foster Angels is a non-profit located in Austin that aims to help foster children. Looking at available jobs in non-profits like these could also be an option.