Master of
Public Administration

A career that can create change.

The LSU Master of Public Administration (MPA) program provides students with a comprehensive understanding of what is needed to be an effective public service leader.

The Master of Public Administration prepares students to work in government, non-profit organizations, and private entities that deal with governmental agencies and public entities on public policy issues. Graduates leave the program with the ability to articulate and apply a public service perspective and interact productively with a diverse workforce and communities.

What You'll Learn

The Master of Public Administration is a 36-hour program that includes 27 hours of core courses and nine hours of electives. Classes on both public policy and public management are offered. As an MPA student, you will learn how to analyze policy and manage government and non-profit programs. The MPA program emphasizes policy implementation, program management, and ethical leadership through relevant coursework.

Core courses include studies in economics, budgeting, finance, organizational behavior, data analytics, and human resource management. Students will link coursework to real-world experience either through an internship, or the practicum if they are currently working in the public sector. Pre-service students will acquire and complete an internship. 

The 16-month full-time MPA program is designed for individuals who recently earned an undergraduate degree or have one to two years of work experience and are ready to jump-start their careers.

MPA Full-Time Course Schedule
Fall - Year 1
  • PADM 7910 PA Theory and Practice 
  • PADM 7912 Public Human Resource Management
  • PADM 7009 Data Analytics for Public Administration I
  • PADM 7914 Public Budgeting and Financial Management
Spring - Year 1
  • PADM 7902 Seminar in Public Policy
  • PADM 5600 Microeconomic Theory for Public Administration
  • PADM 7010 Data Analytics for Public Administration II
  • PADM 7911 Organizational Analysis for Public and Nonprofit Organizations
Summer - Year 1
  • PADM 7852 Practicum
Fall - Year 2
  • PADM 7901 MPA Capstone 
  • Elective 1
  • Elective 2
  • Elective 3

The 27-month part-time program is ideal for working professionals who desire to move up into leadership roles within their current organizations or would like to change professional industries.

MPA Part-Time Course Schedule
Fall - Year 1
  • PADM 7910 PA Theory and Practice
  • PADM 7914 Public Budgeting and Financial Management
Spring - Year 1
  • PADM 7902 Seminar in Public Policy
  • PADM 5600 Microeconomic Theory for Public Administration
Summer - Year 1
  • Elective 1
Fall - Year 2
  • PADM 7009 Data Analytics for Public Administration I
  • PADM 7912 Public Human Resource Management
Spring - Year 2
  • PADM 7010 Data Analytics for Public Administration II
  • PADM 7911 Organizational Analysis for Public and Nonprofit Organizations
Summer - Year 2
  • PADM 7852 Practicum
  • Elective 2
Fall - Year 3
  • PADM 7901 MPA Capstone
  • Elective 3

 

The online MPA program is a flexible, NASPAA accredited path to earning an MPA offered through the LSU E. J. Ourso College of Business and LSU Online. 

Learn More at LSU Online

Career Path

An LSU MPA opens a variety of doors in your career. The LSU MPA program prepares students to work in all levels of government, non-profit organizations, universities, healthcare, and private entities that deal with governmental organizations and policy issues.  With our broad alumni network and small program size, the Department of Public Administration can cultivate each student’s professional goals and needs using one-on-one consultations, advisement, and career development. Students are encouraged to arrange a consultation with the program advisor.

Possible career paths for an MPA graduate:

  • City manager
  • Urban and regional planner
  • Economist
  • Chief executive officer
  • Public relations manager
  • Human resources manager 
  • Education administrator
  • Financial analyst
  • Consultant

Notable employers of LSU MPA graduates include:

  • American Cancer Society
  • Department of Housing and Urban Development
  • Johnson & Johnson
  • Louisiana Office of the Governor
  • Louisiana Senate and House of Representatives
  • Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals
  • Louisiana Department of Education
  • Marathon Petroleum Corporation
  • National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration 
  • New York City Economic Development Corporation
  • Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center
  • Sasol
  • Texas Children’s Hospital
  • U.S. Chamber of Commerce
  • U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Recent MPA Student Internships

  • Front Rank Solutions
  • St. Jude Research Hospital
  • St. Tammany Corporation, Economic Development
  • Baton Rouge Criminal Court
  • World Strides
  • US Department of Agriculture
  • Louisiana State Employees' Retirement System
  • The Black Family Initiative
  • Bureau of Governmental Research
  • The Baton Rouge Youth Coalition/ Mid City Redevelopment Alliance
  • Governor's Fellows Program
  • Cambiar Education
  • Volunteer Louisiana
  • LSU Social Research and Evaluation Center

 

Earning my MPA from LSU opened many career avenues and advancement opportunities in nonprofit work, public finance, and project management. The MPA program emphasized how budgeting, politics, existing laws, and the public all impact if and how a policy or project is implemented, which certainly holds true in the real world.

Mason Hess, AVP in Funding Agreements, New York City Economic Development Corporation

 

Additional Program Details

Application Process

The MPA Program evaluates applicants based on the following items: 

  • ​Undergraduate academic performance
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • Statement of purpose, which can include but not limited to: work experience, activities indicating an interest in public management/public policy, and other experiences that may indicate the ability to complete a professional program.

Each student and their portfolio will be evaluated on an individual basis.

GRE scores are not required for this program, but scores are welcome as additional evaluation information.

Students may apply as either a full-time or part-time student. Applications will be accepted through the Pinkie Gordon Lane Graduate School for admission in the fall semester. 

The Department of Public Administration offers assistance in the form of graduate assistantships. If you would like to be considered for an appointment, fill out a Public Administration Graduate Assistant application. This along with your application to the program and the Graduate School will be taken into consideration when graduate assistants are chosen. Appointments are merit based, and contractual hours determine stipend amounts.

Periodically, opportunities may arise in other departments. When the Department of Public Administration learns of these opportunities, they are forwarded to students.​

LSU offers the Ronald E. McNair Research Scholars program. Please visit the website for more information. 

LSU also provides information about scholarships, grants, and need-based aid through the Financial Aid & Scholarships website.

Contact Us

Department of Public Administration

3000 Business Education Complex
501 South Quad Drive
Baton Rouge, LA 70803
225-578-6743
pa@lsu.edu