Online MPA Public Administration and Nonprofit Administration Certificates
Advance in Your Career with a Personalized, Online MPA 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
- Complete your Public Administration or Nonprofit Administration Certificate in just one year.
- Continue your master’s program by applying course credit earned from the certificate programs.
- Experience a Christian, liberal arts education.
Become a Transformative Community Leader
Personalize your studies with an online Public Administration or Nonprofit Administration Certificate from Calvin University. Build a deeper understanding of the public and nonprofit sector and complete your MPA graduate certificate in just one year.
Guided by Calvin’s mission of renewal, MPA certificate programs feature a liberal arts foundation and Christian curriculum taught by experts. Advance in your career with a 100% online, flexible, and affordable MPA certificate.
Qualify for Advancement Opportunities
Graduates of Calvin’s MPA certificate programs are highly qualified for top roles in public and nonprofit 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 Two Certificate Options
The online MPA program offers two certificates 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 MPA certificates will apply to the full master’s program.
Personalize Your MPA
14 – 16 credits
8-week terms
Earn a customized MPA certificate that will help you meet your goals. Complete your certificate in one year and continue your master’s program with foundational skills in leadership, ethics, and communication.
The MPA certificates require five courses and require 14-16 total credit hours depending on the certificate. Study is 100% online and asynchronous, providing flexible and affordable instruction in eight-week terms.
Public Administration Certificate Course Highlights (16 total credit hours):
- PNA 501 Foundations of Public Service
- PNA 502 Foundations of Public and Nonprofit Administration
- PNA 524 Economic and Community Development
Nonprofit Administration Certificate Course Highlights (14 total credit hours):
- PNA 501 Foundations of Public Service
- PNA 502 Foundations of Public and Nonprofit Administration
- PNA 524 Economic and Community Development
- NOPM 608 Nonprofit Financial Management
- NOPM 607 Nonprofit Boards and Community Leadership or NOPM 609 Designing an Effective Nonprofit Organization
Online MPA Certificate Program Admission Details
9 transfer credits accepted
No application fee
The online MPA certificate programs are now enrolling and have six start dates each year. To apply for a 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
$9,240 – $10,560 total tuition
Calvin University’s online MPA certificate programs offer students an affordable, effective education that builds upon existing knowledge to offer a valuable return on investment. Gain skills in public and nonprofit administration through a flexible, financially competitive program.
Learn MoreWhat You’ll Learn
The Public Administration and Nonprofit Administration certificate programs provide 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 programs will demonstrate ability to:
- Articulate and apply a Reformed 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 Science (BS) – 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
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 programs 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.
Credits differ by certificate. You’ll complete 16 credits to earn the Public Administration Certificate and 14 to earn the Nonprofit Administration Certificate. Review our curriculums .
The MPA program is seeking accreditation through the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA).
Tuition is $660 per credit hour. You’ll need 16 credits to earn the Public Administration Certificate and 14 to earn the Nonprofit Administration Certificate. Review our tuition page for more information.