Master of Public Administration

Our program is one of fewer than 300 programs in the nation accredited by the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA). Our graduates work in a wide variety of leadership positions across all levels of government, as well as diverse nonprofit and private organizations. Our alumni are making a real difference throughout Ohio and beyond as city, county, and township administrators, planners, department and program managers, nonprofit executives, entrepreneurs, community developers, and fundraising professionals. If you are an experienced professional seeking career advancement or a student planning to begin your career in public service, our engaged faculty members will help you plan your program of study to best meet your professional needs, develop or enhance your management skills, and deepen your understanding of the dynamic context and operations of diverse organizations. The Master of Public Administration program (M.P.A.) prepares you to be successful public and nonprofit administrators and leaders in our diverse and multicultural regional environment and beyond. We achieve our mission by - emphasizing critical thinking, professional writing, and analytical skills, balancing theory and practice, exemplifying public service values through teaching, research, and community engagement, and, promoting core values, including: accountability, democratic participation, ethical behavior, fairness, equity, and transparency.

Regular Admission: 3.0-grade point average or 2.7-grade point average and at least a 3.2 for the last 50 percent of your credit hours.
Conditional Admission: 2.7-grade point average or 2.5-grade point average and at least a 3.0 for the last 50 percent of your credit hours.
Non-degree Status: Promising M.P.A. applicants who do not meet the requirements for regular or conditional admission to the M.P.A. program may apply for non-degree status through the Wright State Graduate School. However, non-degree status does not guarantee future admission to the M.P.A. program. M.P.A. applicants in non-degree status must be accepted by the Graduate School and complete nine credit hours (three semester courses) of approved M.P.A. coursework with a minimum grade of at least 3.0 (B) in each course. When students in non-degree status meet these requirements, they must then apply or petition for admission to the M.P.A. program.
You must submit an official transcript accompanied by a translation into English if needed. If your credentials cannot be evaluated by the Office of International Admissions, you are required to submit your academic credentials to an evaluation service and pay the cost of the evaluation.
If your native language is not English and you do not have a degree from a regionally accredited U.S. college or university, you must have a minimum score on one of the following exams:
A score of 79/120 on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (T.O.E.F.L.)
A band 6 or higher through the International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
A score of 57 or higher on the Pearson PTE
Students who show proof of successful completion of an Intensive English Program from an accredited Institution or program accepted by international admissions are exempt from the requirement to take an approved English Proficiency exam.
Several departments or programs have set higher requirements for English proficiency. Visit the graduate programs page for more information.
You may be required by your academic advisors to take an English writing placement test. If you do not pass this test, you may be required to take more on-campus classes to improve your English. If you have earned a degree from a regionally accredited U.S. college or university, you are exempted from the TOEFL requirement.