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.
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 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
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
Enrollment for Academic Year 2024-2025Total: 37 New MPA Students
Tuition Rates for Academic Year 2025-2026
Tuition for Resident On-campus: $383/credit
Tuition for Non-resident On-Campus: $922/credit
Tuition for Omaha Urban Rate On-Campus: $575/credit
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.
Assistantships: The MPA program does not have graduate assistantships available. However, students can view the UNO Human Resources website to view available graduate assistantships.
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:
| Cohort Year | 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: see the index of faculty publications.