Master of Public Administration

This accredited master's degree program is now offered in-person and online. 

• In-Person: No more than one core or elective course can be taken online per term. Availability of online coursework is not guaranteed.
• Online: Majority of coursework must be completed online. 

Learn more about the MPA-DC program.

This is a sample plan. Courses and timing are subject to change.

Year 1:

• Autumn Semester
  • PUBAFRS 6000: Public Policy Formulation and Implementation (4)
  • PUBAFRS 6030: Public Sector Economics (4)
  • PUBAFRS 6070: Public Affairs Statistics (4)
  • PUB AFRS 6500: (skills) Written and Oral Communication (2)
• Spring Semester
  • PUBAFRS 6010: Legal Environment of Public Organizations (4)
  • PUBAFRS 6040: Public Budgeting and Finance (4)
  • PUBAFRS 6080: Public Affairs Program Evaluation (4)
  • Elective (3 credits each)
  • Skills course(s) (1 credit each)
• Summer Term (Optional)
  • Elective (3 credits each)
  • Skills course(s) (1 credit each)

Year 2:

• Autumn Semester
  • PUBAFRS 6050: Managing Public Sector Organizations (4)
    OR
    PUBAFRS 7553: Nonprofit Management and Governance (4)
  • Elective (3 credits each)
  • Elective (3 credits each)
  • Skills course(s) (1 credit each)
• Spring Semester
  • PUBAFRS 6060: Managerial Leadership in Public and Nonprofit Organizations (4)
  • Elective (3 credits each)
  • PUBAFRS 79__: Capstone course (3)
  • Skills course(s) (1 credit each)

Review the MPA Advising Page for more information on curriculum and course requirements including prerequisite information and elective, skills and capstone course options.

This is a sample plan. Courses and timing are subject to change.

Year 1

• Autumn Semester
  • PUBAFRS 6000: Public Policy Formulation and Implementation (4)
  • PUB AFRS 6500: (skills) Written and Oral Communication (2)
  • Skills course (1 credit each)
• Spring Semester
  • PUBAFRS 6010: Legal Environment of Public Organizations (4)
  • PUBAFRS 6060: Managerial Leadership in Public and Nonprofit Organizations (4)
  • Skills course (1 credit each)
• Summer Term
  • PUBAFRS 6030: Public Sector Economics (4)
  • Elective (3 credits each)

Year 2

• Autumn Semester
  • PUBAFRS 6070: Public Affairs Statistics (4)
  • PUBAFRS 6040: Public Budgeting and Finance (4)
• Spring Semester
  • PUBAFRS 6080: Public Affairs Program Evaluation (4)
  • Elective (3 credits each)
  • Skills course (1 credit each)
• Summer Term
  • Elective (3 credits each)
  • Elective (3 credits each)

Year 3

• Autumn Semester
  • PUBAFRS 6050: Managing Public Sector Organizations (4)
    OR
    PUBAFRS 7553: Nonprofit Management and Governance (4)
  • PUBAFRS 79__: Capstone course (3)

Review the MPA Advising Page for more information on curriculum and course requirements including prerequisite information and elective, skills and capstone course options.

Students are expected to be familiar with basic concepts of statistics and economics, and knowledgeable about the workings of the U.S. government. Undergraduate courses in microeconomics, statistics and government are strongly recommended. 

Students are also required to have completed a four-year undergraduate degree from an accredited institution to enroll, with a minimum GPA of 3.0. If you do not meet the minimum requirements set by the university, but would still like to apply, contact the Glenn College to discuss additional options.

Most of our MPA students work 20 hours per week in addition to the full-time curriculum. The Glenn College Career Services staff is available to help students seeking options for gaining work experience while obtaining their master’s degree.

Please note that there are separate applications for online and in-person modalities.

Program Code: PUBADM-MPA

The status will first become available two to three days after your application is received. Visit the Applicant Center to check the status of your application during the admissions process.

Application Fee:

• $60 for domestic applicants
• $70 for international applicants
• This fee is nonrefundable

University Application Fee Waivers (U.S. applicants only)

If you feel you qualify for an application fee waiver based on your participation in any of the diversity initiatives through the Graduate School Program or Ohio State’s Office of Diversity and Inclusion, or if you feel you qualify because of economic hardship, please select the appropriate box(es) under the application fee waiver section of the online application. 

• You must submit proof in order to qualify for an application fee waiver. 
• Qualifying criteria are listed on the Graduate Admissions webpage.
• You cannot submit your online application until your application fee waiver request is approved or your application fee is paid. You will be notified if your application fee waiver request is not approved, at which time you should return to the online application and submit the application fee.

We seek to control cost, increase aid for low- and moderate-income families and enhance programs that support success in and out of the classroom. Ohio State is committed to making an excellent college education more accessible and affordable for Buckeyes everywhere.

University Tuition 

College and University Funding Information

Ohio State's ScholarshipUniverse

Indicate your academic and career goals, your interest in the John Glenn College of Public Affairs, and how your education and work experience qualify you for admission. There is no length requirement for the personal statement.

*If you are an internal transfer student who started an Ohio State degree that you do not plan to complete before entering the Glenn College, please describe why you do not plan to complete your current degree (e.g., unable to pass qualifying exams, change in research interests), and why you think that the Glenn College is a better fit.

Resume or CV: Be sure to include work experience, volunteer activities, academics and professional honors, honorary societies, extracurricular activities, offices held, any publications and other significant activities.

Three letters of recommendation are required and should reflect the academic and, if relevant, job capability and experiences of the applicant. The letters should speak to the applicant’s ability to excel in an academic professional program. 

Requirements:

• Letters must be submitted electronically using the online application (select “Public Policy and Management”).
• While completing your online application, please provide your recommender’s name and email address. The Office of Graduate & Professional Admissions will send an email to the recommenders instructing them to complete a short assessment and upload a PDF recommendation letter. 
• Inform your letter writers that they will receive an email from Ohio State once you submit the online application. It is the responsibility of the applicant to make sure letters of recommendation are completed by posted deadlines. 
• If recommenders experience difficulties accessing the link or using the online system, please contact the Office of Graduate & Professional Admissions directly at gpadmissions@osu.edu.
• Letters of recommendation sent directly to the Glenn College will not be accepted.

Upload transcripts from ALL of the universities and colleges you attended with your online application as an attachment. 

• Transcripts are required, even for classes transferred from another institution, including classes attended during high school or completed through a study abroad program.
• Transcripts are not required for coursework completed at Ohio State. 
• Submit copies (front and back) of official transcripts. Please submit only scanned images of official transcripts issued by your institution’s registrar. Ohio State will not accept web reports, advising reports, self-reported scores or transfer credit on another school’s transcript.

Transcripts submitted with the online application are considered unofficial and, if admitted, you will be required to submit an official set of transcripts with statement of degree (if appropriate) prior to enrolling at Ohio State.

GRE Scores are no longer required for any applicant to a master's level program at the John Glenn College of Public Affairs. Applicants with a GPA that fall below a 3.0 are encouraged to contact the Glenn College for further direction in strengthening their application.

Official GRE Codes:

• Institution Code: 1592
• Department Code: 2204

International Students:

• International students must submit TOEFL or IELTS test scores; scores should be above the equivalent of a TOEFL iBT Total Score of 100 for consideration.

All test scores (if needed), including GRE and English proficiency, must be sent directly to Graduate Admissions. The proof of English proficiency requirement is handled by the Office of Graduate and Professional Admissions. You can find out more information, including potential exemptions to this requirement, on their International Additional Requirements to Apply webpage.