Online MPA – State and Local Government Administration Concentration
Serve Strategically in the Public Interest
100% online coursework
Career-focused program
Global perspective
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- Duration 1–2 years
- Cost per Credit $673
- Credit Hours 36
Program Benefits
- Gain skills to advance in your career
- Become a transformative leader in any community
- 100% asynchronous online format, eight-week terms
- No application fee
Complete Customized Study in Government Administration
Earn a personalized master’s in public and nonprofit administration with a concentration in State and Local Government Administration from Calvin University. Supported by expert faculty with experience in the field, you’ll build the skills necessary for a successful career and graduate prepared to serve the public in local or state government. Gain a deeper understanding of economic development, strategic planning, and political processes through Calvin’s Christian, liberal arts curriculum.
With 100% online, asynchronous coursework, Calvin offers the flexibility to study on your schedule. Access the virtual learning environment to interact with learning materials from anywhere and experience online instruction that matches the quality of classroom learning.
Career Outlook: Advance as a Transformative Leader
Upon completion of your online MPA with a concentration in government administration, you may qualify for a number of jobs in public administration. Individuals with this specialty often work as city managers, public works directors, or social and community service managers. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, social and community service managers earn a median of $74,000 per year. Available jobs in this role are expected to grow 15% by 2030.1
Potential career opportunities for graduates of the online MPA in State and Local Government Administration:
- City Manager
- Public Works Director
- Government Program Manager
- Urban and Regional Planner
- Social and Community Service Manager
- Administrative Service Manager
Urban And Regional Planner
$78,500/year
Urban and regional planners have a critical role in the building of communities. These professionals produce land management plans and work with local communities and government officials to ensure developments meet the needs of local populations. People who work as urban or regional planners must be skilled in research, data analysis, and collaboration.2
Career OutlookCurriculum: Courses in Government Administration
The online MPA with a concentration in State and Local Government Administration requires the completion of 36 total credit hours, including 12 credit hours focused on topics in local politics, public management, and community development. Through this concentration, gain the ethical leadership skills necessary to advance your career in public administration.
Course Spotlight: PNA 522 Public Management
An examination of the relationship between politics and administration, defining public interest and differing public values. Topics include organizational leadership, budget and financing, human capital and staffing, ethics, strategic planning.
View CoursesCourse Spotlight: PNA 526 Local Politics and Government
An introduction to local politics and government in the United States, examining who is involved in local politics and how the political processes in cities shape policies. Topics include urban political institutions, machine politics, federal urban policy, race representation in cities, local elections, structure of local administrations and key policy areas within the local and metropolitan context, such as education, policing, and urban planning and development. The course will also examine the historical practices of cities with the United States.
More Specialization Options
Frequently Asked Questions
If you have a question we don’t cover here, request more information or call 1-855-474-8346.
No. The program is entirely online and asynchronous.
Prior work experience is not required. Explore admission to the program.
You’ll complete 12 credits to finish the concentration in State and Local Government Administration and 36 credit hours total to earn your MPA. Review our curriculum.
No field hours are required to complete the MPA concentrations. For more information on our curriculum, visit our courses page.
The MPA concentrations are only available online. This allows you to study in the times and locations best for you throughout the entire program without any requirements to come to campus.
Tuition is $673 per credit hour. To complete the MPA, you’ll need 36 credit hours for a total tuition of $24,228. Your concentration will fulfill 12 of these credit hours. Review our tuition page for more information.