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MPA Program Fact Sheet

  1. UNO
  2. School of Public Administration
  3. Academic Programs
  4. MPA Program Fact Sheet

  • Related Resources

  • MPA Curriculum
  • Scholarships
  • Student Resources
  • NASPAA Accreditation
  • Online MPA
  • MPA Alumni

NASPAA Accreditation

The Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA) is the membership association of graduate programs in public administration, public policy and public affairs. The Commission on Peer Review & Accreditation is the accreditor of these master degree programs. NASPAA is considered the global standard in public service education.

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MPA Program Self-Study

UNO's MPA program completed its Self Study Report for review by the Commission on Peer Review and Accreditation (COPRA) of NASPAA in 2018 and is reaccredited through 2026. Programs that are accredited by NASPAA have been determined to be in substantial compliance with the Standards set forth by the field. UNO's MPA Program completes the Annual Accreditation Maintenance Report each year.

NASPAA Program Data

UNO’s MPA Program values transparency, accountability and truthfulness. The faculty and staff believe in the value of public service and strive to provide information and data that reflect our strengths and limitations. You will learn more about the program through the recommended framework of the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA).

Degree Title: Master of Public Administration (MPA)

Organizational Relationship: MPA resides in the School of Public Administration housed in the College of Public Affairs Community Service

Modes of Delivery: In-Person (in Omaha), Online

Number of Credit Hours: 39

Length of Degree: 2.5 years or seven semesters

Dual Degrees: MPA/MSW (Master of Social Work), MPA/MIS (Master of Information Systems), MPA/MA Gerontology, MPA/MS in Criminology and Criminal Justice

Concentrations/Specializations: Nonprofit Management, Public Management, and Public and Social Policy, Management Information Systems, Criminology & Criminal Justice, Management Information Systems

Number of Students: 128

Number of Full Time Nucleus Faculty: 13

Mission Statement: To strengthen the public service in a democratic and diverse society by educating students to manage and lead public and nonprofit institutions effectively, ethically, and democratically.

Admission: The general prerequisite for admission to the MPA program is a four-year bachelors' degree with a minimum of a 3.0 GPA of the junior-senior year (last 50-60 credit hours). Under extenuatingcircumstances an average below 3.0 will be considered. The following factors will be considered in determination of a student's admission status:

  • Grade point average for the junior-senior year
  • Grade point average for the undergraduate degree
  • Work history
  • Writing skills (based on the applicant's admissions essay)
  • References (based on two written letters of recommendation)

See the complete list of admission requirements: Public Administration, MPA < University of Nebraska Omaha

Fast Track Option: The School of Public Administration has developed a Fast Track program for highly qualified and motivated students providing the opportunity to complete a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in an accelerated time frame. With Fast Track, students may count up to nine (9) graduate hours toward the completion of their undergraduate program as well as the graduate degree program. The specifics of the Fast Track option can be found here: Public Administration, MPA < University of Nebraska Omaha

Enrollment for Academic Year 2024-2025

Total: 37 New MPA Students

Tuition Rates for Academic Year 2025-2026

Cost of Degree On Campus

Tuition for Resident On-campus: $383/credit

Tuition for Non-resident On-Campus: $922/credit

Tuition for Omaha Urban Rate On-Campus: $575/credit

Cost of Degree Online

Resident Online: $421/credit

Non-resident online: $890/credit

OUR tuition rate: $632/credit

Omaha Urban Rate (OUR) Tuition Students who live in 15 nearby midwest states can qualify for this discounted rate: assessed at 150% of the resident tuition rate.

Financial Aid Information: Many UNO students utilize FASFA for their financial aid. Visit UNO's Office of Financial Support and Scholarships here.

Assistantships: The MPA program does not have graduate assistantships available. However, students can view the UNO Human Resources website to view available graduate assistantships here.

Internship Placements:

City of Omaha (Human Rights and Relations, Planning Department)

City Administrator (Nebraska City, NE)

Blue Cross Blue Shield (Nebraska)

Greater Omaha Chamber (Omaha, NE)

Omaha Performing Arts (Omaha, NE)

University of Nebraska Medical Center (Omaha, NE)

Graduate Placement for 2023-2024:

Employment Statistics
Total Number of Graduates
National or central
government in the same
country as the program
8
State, provincial, or
regional government in
the same country as the
program
9
City, County, or other
local government in the
same country as the
program
8
Government not in the same country or program/
international quasi-government
0
Nonprofit domestic oriented
14
Nonprofit/NGOs
internationally-oriented
2
Private Sector-research/consulting
3
Private Sector but not
research/consulting
4
Obtaining further
education
1
Military Service
0
Unemployed (not seeking employment)
1
Unemployed (seeking employment)
0
Status Unknown
0
Total
50

Graduation Completion:

Initially Enrolled Graduated within 2 Years Graduated within 3 Years Graduated within 4 Years Total students graduated and persisting to graduation
Students in the 2019-2020 Cohort 63 12 (19%) 32 (51%) 39 (62%) 47 (75%)

Faculty Contribution: Click here to see an index of faculty publications.

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Contact Us

  • 6001 Dodge Street
  • Omaha, Nebraska 68182
  • Phone: 402.554.2625
  • Fax: 402.554.2682

Related Resources

  • MPA Curriculum
  • Scholarships
  • Student Resources
  • NASPAA Accreditation
  • Online MPA
  • MPA Alumni

School of Public Administration

CONTACT US
  • College of Public Affairs and Community Service
  • 111 CPACS
  • 6001 Dodge Street
  • Omaha, NE 68182
  • 402.554.2625
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Academic Programs
  • Master of Public Administration
  • Master of Science in Urban Studies
  • Master of Science in Urban Studies - Fast Track
  • PhD in Public Administration
  • Aviation Institute
  • Emergency Management and Disaster Science
  • Graduate Certificates
  • Undergraduate Minors
Professional Programs
  • Nebraska Certified Public Manager Program
  • Certificate in Fundraising Management
  • Certificate in Emerging Nonprofit Leadership
  • Nebraska Municipal Clerks Institute and Academy
  • The Great Plains Government Finance Officers Association
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