Master of Public Administration Program Mission Statement
Lead the way to a better future for all.
The M.P.A. program at the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs seeks to enhance knowledge and develop skills essential to careers in public service. It is grounded in a comprehensive view of public service education that appreciates the need for three areas of mastery:
- Formulating, implementing and evaluating policy
- Leading and managing organizations with diverse stakeholders
- Applying rigorous and evidence-based analysis to inform decision making.
To accomplish this mission, the Maxwell School M.P.A program is designed with several distinctive features including a 12-month intensive cohort experience; a broad cross-section of domestic and international students; productive and accessible faculty who are engaged in applied interdisciplinary research; and a focus on citizenship in teaching, scholarship and service.
The M.P.A. program begins each July and ends the following June. There is an option to extend the program to 18 months and complete an optional internship. This is not declared on your application, rather students can decide after matriculation.
Retention to Graduation
The Maxwell School has near perfect retention to graduation rates for its M.P.A. program students. In data reported to the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration, the vast majority of our students complete the M.P.A. program in the expected 12-month time frame. Most of our joint degree students are expected to complete their programs over two years of full-time study, and J.D./M.P.A. students require three years of full-time study. Annual enrollment for the on-campus residential MPA program can be anywhere from 75-120 students.