Online MPA Certificate Program
Advance in Your Career with a Personalized Online Public Administration Certificate
100% Online
Finish in 12 months
Affordable Tuition
Learn More Today
Complete the form to learn more about this program.
- Duration 12 Months
- Cost per Credit $660
- Credit Hours 16
Program Benefits
- The Public Administration Certificate program can be completed in just one year with 13 – 16 credit hours.
- Explore topics in public policy, leadership, and communication.
- Experience a Christian, liberal arts education.
Become a Transformative Community Leader
Personalize your studies with Calvin University’s online Public Administration Certificate program. Build a deeper understanding of public service and complete your MPA graduate certificate in just one year.
Guided by Calvin’s mission of renewal, the Public Administration Certificate features a liberal arts foundation and Christian curriculum taught by experts. Advance in your career with this 100% online, flexible, and affordable MPA certificate program.
Qualify for Advancement Opportunities
Graduates of Calvin’s MPA certificate program are highly qualified for top roles in public administration. With skills in leadership, ethics, communication, and finance, you’ll be sought after by top employers in the field.
Top positions for MPA certificate holders include Social and Community Service Manager ($74,000/year)1 and Urban and Regional Planner ($78,500/year).2
Explore CareersChoose from Five Concentrations and a Certificate Option
The online MPA program offers five concentrations and a certificate for a personalized degree that furthers each student’s individual career goals. The full MPA is scheduled to begin Fall 2023, and courses from the Public Administration Certificate will apply to the full master’s program.
Personalize Your MPA
13 – 16 credits
8-week terms
Earn a customized degree that helps you meet your goals with an online MPA certificate from Calvin University. Complete your certificate in one year and continue your master’s program with foundational skills in leadership, ethics, and communication.
The Public Administration Certificate requires five courses totaling 16 credit hours. Study is 100% online and asynchronous, providing flexible and affordable instruction in eight-week terms.
Course Highlights:
- PNPA 501 Foundations of Public Service
- PNPA 502 Foundations of Public Administration
- PNPA 524 Economic and Community Development
Online MPA Certificate Program Admission Details
9 transfer credits accepted
No application fee
The online Public Administration Certificate program is now enrolling and has six start dates each year. To apply for this program, you will need:
| A completed application |
| Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university |
| Official transcripts of all post-secondary academic coursework to demonstrate a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale |
| A personal statement, one letter of recommendation, and a CV or resume |
Take the next step toward achieving your goals today. Apply now.
Learn MoreEstimated Tuition
$660 per credit hour
$10,560 total tuition
Calvin University’s online MPA certificate program offers students an affordable, effective education that builds upon existing knowledge to offer a valuable return on investment. Gain skills in public administration through a flexible, financially competitive program.
Learn MoreWhat You’ll Learn
The Public Administration Certificate program provides opportunities for students to develop and apply leadership and management skills to specific areas of public and nonprofit administration, including communication, critical thinking, and problem solving.
Program Outcomes
Graduates of Calvin’s MPA program will demonstrate ability to:
- Articulate and apply a Christian vision for public service across government, society, and the church.
- Participate in, and contribute to, the policy process.
- Analyze and synthesize data and think critically to solve problems and make evidence-informed decisions in a complex and dynamic environment.
- Lead and manage in the public interest.
- Communicate and interact productively and in culturally responsive ways with a diverse and changing workforce and society at large.
Faculty Spotlight
Mark Hessler, Program Director
Education
- Bachelor of Arts (BA) – Criminal Justice – Grand Valley State University (1993)
- Master of Public Administration (MPA) – Grand Valley State University (1999)
Academic Interests
- Public and Nonprofit Administration
- Public Management and Policy
- Local Politics and Government
- Management and Leadership
- Law Enforcement Policy and Practice
- Law Enforcement : Leading Organizations, Structure, Culture, and Change
- Security Studies
- Criminal Justice
Teaching Focus
- Public and Nonprofit Administration
- Local Politics and Government
- Public Policy
- Criminal Justice – Law Enforcement Leadership, Policy and Practice
Research and Scholarship
- Public and Nonprofit Leadership: Service, Influence, and Transformation
- Issues in Law Enforcement policy and practice
- Criminal Justice and Security Studies
Your Support Network
All of our instructors and staff are dedicated to your success. With diverse experience and a commitment to students, our faculty will support you every step of your journey. Their real-world experience is reflected in the classroom curriculum, ensuring that you’ll graduate prepared for the challenges and opportunities of public and nonprofit administration.
Online Learning That Fits Into Your Life
The program engages all areas of life. At Calvin, we believe that learning comes from doing, and we maintain our commitment to practical, hands-on application and experience for online students.
Embrace the flexibility of an online program coupled with individualized instruction.
- Asynchronous format
- Engaging course content
- 8-week terms
Frequently Asked Questions
If you have a question we don’t cover here, request more information or call 1-855-474-8346.
Prior work experience is not required. Explore admission to the program.
No, the MPA certificate does not require an entrance exam. Learn more about admission to the program.
Most students complete the MPA certificate in approximately one year. For more information, contact an admissions counselor or call 1-855-474-8346.
You’ll complete 13 – 16 credits to finish the certificate and 36 credit hours total to earn your full MPA. Review our curriculum.
The MPA is seeking accreditation through the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA).
Tuition is $660 per credit hour. To complete the MPA certificate, you’ll need 16 credit hours for a total tuition of $10,560. Review our tuition page for more information.