Master of Public Administration
About the Master of Public Administration
The University of Dayton Master of Public Administration Program, offered since 1967, prepares responsible public-servant leaders who advance the common good by working to improve the quality of public service locally, nationally, and globally. Our program, which is housed in the Department of Political Science (College of Arts and Sciences), typically enrolls about two dozen students each semester, including MPA and BA-MPA students.
The program consists of 39 semester hours with 27 hours of core courses. Students without current employment in the public or nonprofit sectors are encouraged to participate in an internship program, while those students currently working in relevant jobs often engage in a public service project to expand their career options. Additionally, many students opt to graduate with a second credential, a graduate certificate, by taking their four elective courses in Nonprofit and Community Leadership or Sustainability Studies, among other fields, with no additional cost or time commitment. Core and most elective classes are offered during the evening, one night per week, from 6-8:40 p.m with an average of 12 students per class. Additional options may be offered online or earlier in the day.
Please contact the Program Director, Dr. Joshua Ambrosius, to make an inquiry or ask any questions.
Affordability of the MPA Program
The University of Dayton MPA program is cost competitive with other MPA programs in Ohio and the region. With 2024-25 tuition at $750 per semester hour, the 39-hour program tuition cost is $29,250. This tuition is lower than the rate for other University of Dayton Master’s degrees and essentially matches the in-state cost at nearby public institutions.
Graduate Assistantships
Graduate Assistant (GA) positions are available to MPA students within a variety of college and university offices and centers. MPA applicants should consult the list of open positions, which also describes basic duties and benefits. While the program admits new students on a rolling basis, students wishing to obtain a GA position should apply as early as possible. If interested in a GA, please contact the office offering the position directly.
Mission and goals of the MPA Program
To advance the common good by preparing responsible public-servant leaders who work to improve the quality of public service locally, nationally, and globally.
In partnership with community, public, and nonprofit organizations, the University of Dayton MPA Program serves the common good by preparing responsible public-servant leaders who value, understand, and apply the ethics, theories, and skills of public administration.
- Training and educating students for careers as public-servant leaders of public and nonprofit organizations.
- Building mutually respectful and reciprocal partnerships with organizations in local, regional, and state communities.
- Addressing issues of concern for the public and nonprofit sectors across all levels of government by engaging in applied and academic research activities.
The University of Dayton MPA Program espouses the Catholic and Marianist traditions of our university. As such, the program expresses a commitment to similar values to the University as a whole. The foundation of the University of Dayton curriculum is seven institutional learning goals—called the Habits of Inquiry and Reflection: Scholarship, Faith Traditions, Diversity, Community, Practical Wisdom, Critical Evaluation of Our Times and Vocation.
Our MPA Program - that prepares responsible public-servant leaders who serve the common good - similarly pursues dimensions of these learning goals that we call our public service values.
We value:
- Public Service as a Vocation
- Inclusive and Representative Community Engagement and Participation
- The Development and Demonstration of Practical Wisdom in Addressing Human Needs and Problems
- Transparency and Accountability of Public Institutions
You can complete the program in as little as two years with full-time study or approximately three-to-four years with part-time study. Full-time study, in this context, is defined as three courses per semester with one additional course added along the way, such as in the summer term. Part-time study is one-to-two courses per semester in the fall, spring or summer.
Students should work with the program director to design a course of study that is appropriate for their professional and personal schedules.
Of the student cohort beginning in AY 2018-19 (N=12), 50% (6) completed the MPA degree within two years, 83% (10) completed the program within three years, and 83% (10) graduated within four years.
Our graduates find employment in the U.S. government (especially at Wright Patterson Air Force Base); State of Ohio government (as well as other states); city, county or other local governments; and nonprofits or NGOs (including social services and faith-based organizations, educational institutions, and foundations). Some pursue further education including Ph.D. degrees in public administration or related fields. Employment by sector for 2022-23 (most recent) and 2018-23 (past five) cohorts is below:
2022-23 Graduates (most recent cohort)
- City, County or other local government: 3
- U.S. Government: 1
- Domestic Nonprofit: 3
- Private Sector (non-consulting): 1
- Unemployed/unknown: 0
TOTAL: 8
2018-23 Graduates
- City, County or other local government: 11 (22%)
- U.S. Government: 5 (10%)
- State Government: 6 (12%)
- Domestic Nonprofit: 25 (50%)
- Continuing education: 2 (4%)
- Private Sector (non-consulting): 1 (2%)
- Unemployed/Unknown: 0
TOTAL: 50