MPA

Exterior view of UNO’s College of Public Affairs building at sunset, with bold text reading “Master of Public Administration.”

Lead Where it Matters Most

At the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO), we believe a Master of Public Administration (MPA) is more than just a professional degree, it's a gateway to transforming society through a career in public service. Our program educates students to manage and lead public and nonprofit institutions effectively, ethically, and democratically.

UNO’s MPA program ranks in the top 15% of more than 200 NASPAA-accredited public service education programs nationwide. The 2025 U.S. News & World Report national ranking reaffirms UNO’s longstanding reputation as a leader in public service education—and its commitment to empower professionals to lead where it matters most.

MPA Program at a Glance

39

TOTAL CREDIT HOURS

$

COMPETITIVE TUITION PRICING

3

CONCENTRATIONS

100%

ONLINE OPTION

Why Choose UNO’s MPA?

A man smiles while working at a desk with a laptop, accompanied by a potted plant and a University of Nebraska Omaha mug.

FLEXIBLE LEARNING

Earn your MPA online or in person with a schedule that fits your life.

A student stands confidently in a campus hallway with a backpack at her feet, representing the flexibility and focus of the MPA curriculum at UNO.

SERVICE-DRIVEN CURRICULUM

Develop strategic insight in policy implementation, budgeting, organizational theory, leadership, and more through a service-driven curriculum.

Three professionals walk together on campus, symbolizing the strength of the UNO MPA professional network and community engagement.

EXPAND YOUR NETWORK

Expand your sphere of influence with a strong network of public service professionals.

aculty members from the UNO School of Public Administration stand together outside, representing the program’s nationally and internationally regarded scholars and leaders.

EXPERT FACULTY

Learn from nationally and internationally recognized faculty who are regarded as scholars, practitioners, and leaders with real-world expertise in public administration.

MPA Curriculum

**Core Courses**

The core courses consist of equipping students with a solid foundation in key areas of public service, including leadership, policy development, and budgeting.

**Elective Courses**

You’ll have six credit hours to choose electives from our list of approved electives. View the list of MPA electives for more information. Possible electives are not limited to but can include additional graduate courses in aviation, public administration, emergency management, or urban studies. Students work with their advisor to select electives that best match their career and academic goals.

**Concentrations**

There are three MPA concentrations to choose from:

Public Management

Nonprofit Management

Public & Social Policy

The School of Public Administration

The School of Public Administration, located on the UNO campus, is a national leader in public service education, with multiple of its programs receiving high rankings by U.S. News & World Report. We rank highly in public finance and budgeting, nonprofit management, and local government. Our mission is To strengthen public service in a democratic and dynamic society. If you think public service is in your future, you’ll find that our programming can complement your interests and provide a strong orientation to the field.

School of Public Administration

Choose from 3 Concentrations

Public Management

The Public Management concentration provides students with knowledge, skills, and competencies that can be applied broadly in administrative leadership positions across government, nonprofit, and private sectors.

Public Management Concentration

Nonprofit Management

The Nonprofit Management concentration is intended for students who work with or desire to work with nonprofit organizations locally, nationally, or internationally.

Nonprofit Management Concentration

Public & Social Policy

The Public & Social Policy concentration provides a foundation for understanding the policy process and gaining policy-relevant skills such as policy analysis, policy evaluation, strategic planning, and research methods.

Public & Social Policy Concentration

Interested in a Dual Degree?

The School of Public Administration offers 4 hybrid dual degree programs in:

Master of Public Administration | Master of Social Work

Master of Public Administration | Master of Managing Information Systems

Master of Public Administration | Master of Arts in Gerontology

Master of Public Administration | Master of Science in Criminology and Criminal Justice

Dual Degree Options

Lead Where it Matters Most

MPA Program at a Glance

39

$

3

100%