Online Master of Public Administration

Application

Online application and a non-refundable application fee of $75

Transcript

Official transcripts of all post-secondary coursework at a college or university where nine or more credits were completed. Bachelor’s degree or equivalent is required to apply

Resume or Brief CV

Include employment and academic history; volunteerism and community service; honors; publications; leadership roles; professional association memberships; and other activities related to the applicant’s career goals. Resumes should be no more than two pages.

Two Letters of Recommendation

Applicants to all graduate programs who will register recommenders via the online application. Recommenders may complete the entire process online. If a recommender cannot complete the process online for any reason, they may submit their recommendation directly by email. The recommendation letter should be on official letterhead and accompanied by the recommendation form, which is available in PDF format in the recommendation section of the online application. Please be in touch if your recommenders encounter challenges submitting online or by email attachment.

Essay

A 500-1,000 word required personal statement explaining how the degree will advance the student’s career ambitions and what problems the student is committed to solving

Optional Statement

In evaluating the application, the admissions committee considers applicants’ professional experience, overall academic record, quantitative skills, and writing ability. Some applicants’ transcripts and resumes may not fully reflect their challenges or abilities in these areas. In this separate, optional statement, provide any additional information the admissions committee should consider when making its decision. This statement should be addressed directly to the faculty admissions committee, and no longer than one page.

International Applicants

International applicants may be required to submit language exam scores. Please note, students in fully online programs are NOT eligible for F-1 visas.

The Baruch online master’s requires a minimum of 42 credits for those with at least 1 year of administrative experience and 45 credits for those required to complete a 3-credit internship.

The degree requires the following components:

• 8 core classes (24 credits)
• 5 electives (15 credits)
• 1 internship course (if required; 3 credits)
• Capstone (3 credits)

Students in the Baruch online MPA can have the opportunity to take classes in public and nonprofit management, ethics and public decision making, race, inequality and public policies, and many other areas.

All courses are delivered asynchronously, but students will have multiple opportunities for synchronous engagement with instructors and classmates via optional bi-weekly Zoom “office hours” and one-on-one appointments. Asynchronous course content will be available in weekly modules, and will include recorded lectures, readings, discussion boards, and other teaching modes. Though the program is asynchronous, group work, including synchronous project meetings, are expected, as an important part of developing skills as a public administrator. 

Fall Cohort Sample Schedule*

* Schedule subject to minor changes

** Taken together over 10 weeks | Italicized courses are electives

Spring Cohort Sample Schedule*

* Schedule subject to minor changes

** Taken together over 10 weeks | Italicized courses are electives

Management 

Use management and leadership theories to analyze the design, operation, and governance of public and nonprofit organizations. 

Develop recommendations, based on multiple analytical frames, to improve the management of public and nonprofit organizations and achieve the organizational mission. 

Policy 

Identify alternative policy options; assess their potential feasibility and effectiveness; describe how the policy options are expected to affect outcomes (mechanisms). 

Analyze and Think Critically 

Use social science methods to analyze, evaluate, and draw valid conclusions from data that is relevant to public policy questions, and/or decision-making situations, and/or issues of public concern. 

Public Service Perspectives 

Demonstrate an understanding of the public interest in an assignment. 

Communication 

Exhibit an awareness of strengths and weaknesses in verbal and written communication and articulate a plan to maximize communication effectiveness.

For the latest tuition and fees, visit the Office of the Bursar