Masters in Public Administration

The Master of Public Administration (MPA) program creates talented, rigorously trained professionals that are equipped to address real world problems in the public and nonprofit sectors. The program prepares students for their career through a combination of coursework, research, and experiential learning via public service and client-based projects.

The BGSU MPA program is accredited by the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs and Administration (NASPAA), and was reaccredited in 2022 for an additional seven years. NASPAA accreditation recognizes that our MPA program has undertaken a rigorous process of peer review conducted by the Commission on Peer Review and Accreditation (COPRA) and have successfully met the NASPAA Accreditation Standards.

Students in the program gain hands-on experience working on projects for local clients. Our faculty have great relationships with community partners in Northwest Ohio who regularly come to us with projects they want students to help with. This is a great way for students to gain professional development experience and give back to the community and for partners to get support with their needs. Past projects include strategic planning, program evaluation, community surveys, and more. Past clients include the City of Bowling Green, the National Park Service, the Toledo Symphony, NASA, the Glass City Marathon, and the City of Toledo.

MPA faculty members are renowned not just for their teaching but also for their research. The faculty has won awards for the quality of its academic publications and is frequently contacted by national media to provide their expertise on policy and politics.

Program graduates work at all levels of government, at international organizations, in academia, and in the private sector. The MPA Student Association (MPA) also provides students with professional development and socialization opportunities.

The MPA degree can be completed full-time in 1.5-2 years. Part-time students are welcome, and classes are available in the evenings. Almost all classes are in-person, with a few exceptions. All majors are welcome to apply, and there are no prerequisites. Current BGSU upper-level undergraduate students may be interested to learn about our Accelerated BA to MPA degree that allows you to take graduate courses as an undergraduate and earn credits toward both degrees at once.

For more information please see our frequently asked questions or contact the MPA Coordinator: Dr. Justin Rex (jmrex@bgsu.edu).