Master of Public Administration (MPA)

earn an MPA from the Biden School

The Master of Public Administration (MPA) in the Joseph R. Biden Jr. School of Public Policy & Administration at the University of Delaware is a professional degree program that prepares diverse, motivated students to become leaders, managers, analysts, front-line workers, and subject matter experts in government and the nonprofit sector.

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Biden School

program outcomes

UD's MPA program teaches you to contribute solutions to the public challenges of our times through research and public service projects that involve you in experiential learning.

You will:

- Lead and manage in public governance

- Participate in and contribute to the policy process

- Analyze, synthesize, think critically, solve problems and make decisions

- Articulate and apply a public service perspective

- Communicate and interact productively with a diverse and changing workforce and citizenry

The Biden School MPA program is accredited by the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA) Commission on Peer Review and Accreditation and listed on the Annual Roster of Accredited Programs in conformity with NASPAA standards.

Ranked #27

in the 2025 Best Public Affairs Programs by U.S. News & World Report

Earn your mpa on campus or online

Consistent with NASPAA accreditation standards, the MPA curriculum is designed to focus on the acquisition and development of five universal competencies:

To lead and manage in public governance
To participate in and contribute to the policy process
To analyze, synthesize, think critically, solve problems and make decisions
To articulate and apply a public service perspective, and
To communicate and interact productively with a diverse and changing workforce and citizenry.

The 36-credit Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree is designed to provide professional training for public or nonprofit management careers. The curriculum is divided into four areas:

Core Courses - 24 credits
Specialization Area - 9 credits
Internship Experience - 1 credit
Capstone Project (or Thesis) - 2 credits

MPA CURRICULUM

During academic year 2024 – 2025, total number of instructional faculty members teaching required and elective classes in the MPA program was 17, including both nucleus and non-nucleus faculty.

MPA students choose an area of specialization prior to the third semester of full-time study. There are five specialization options available in the in-person MPA modality and two options in the online modality, and students may also design their own specialization:

Nonprofit Management (in-person)
Public Management (in-person)
Public Policy Analysis (in-person)
Emergency Management (in-person)
Health Systems Management (in-person and online)
General Specialization (online)
Individualized Specialization developed by the student in conjunction with their mentor and with the approval of the MPA Director (in-person and online)

Each specialization area consists of a minimum of nine credit hours, including a required three-credit threshold course and an additional six credits approved by the academic advisor. The MPA faculty have designated the following as required threshold courses:

Nonprofit Management – UAPP 673 Governing Nonprofit Organizations (3 credits)
Public Management – UAPP 684 Performance Management and Program Evaluation (3 credits)
Public Policy Analysis – UAPP 701 Public Policy (3 credits)
Health Systems Management – UAPP 657 Health Policy (3 credits)
Emergency Management – DISA 650 Overview of Disaster Science and Management (3 credits)

MPA Graduation within Program Length

Our MPA students have a high success rate of graduating on time. Our academic year 2019-2020 cohort, as measured by NASPAA, indicates the following:

24 students were initially enrolled
4 students graduated within two years
8 students graduated within three years
12 students graduated within four years
16 total students graduated and persisting to graduation

In-person modality:

6 students were initially enrolled
4 students graduated within two years
4 students graduated within three years
4 students graduated within four years
4 total students graduated and persisting to graduation

Online modality:

18 students were initially enrolled
0 students graduated within two years
4 students graduated within three years
8 students graduated within four years
12 total students graduated and persisting to graduation

MPA Graduate Placement

Biden School graduates work in academia, politics, government, law, policy, activism, nonprofits, and the private sector.

Our 2024 graduating class was placed in the following sectors:

Federal Government: 2
U.S. City/State/Local Government: 6
Nonprofit: 6
Private Sector: 7
Obtaining Further Education: 1
Unemployed (Seeking Employment): 1
Status Unknown: 2

MPA CAREER OUTCOMES

What Can I do with an MPA?

Consistent with NASPAA accreditation standards, the MPA curriculum is designed to focus on the acquisition and development of five universal competencies:

To lead and manage in public governance
To participate in and contribute to the policy process
To analyze, synthesize, think critically, solve problems and make decisions
To articulate and apply a public service perspective, and
To communicate and interact productively with a diverse and changing workforce and citizenry.

MPA Courses & Curriculum

The 36-credit Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree is designed to provide professional training for public or nonprofit management careers. The curriculum is divided into four areas:

Core Courses - 24 credits
Specialization Area - 9 credits
Internship Experience - 1 credit
Capstone Project (or Thesis) - 2 credits

MPA CURRICULUM

During academic year 2024 – 2025, total number of instructional faculty members teaching required and elective classes in the MPA program was 17, including both nucleus and non-nucleus faculty.

MPA Specializations

Nonprofit Management (in-person)
Public Management (in-person)
Public Policy Analysis (in-person)
Emergency Management (in-person)
Health Systems Management (in-person and online)
General Specialization (online)
Individualized Specialization developed by the student in conjunction with their mentor and with the approval of the MPA Director (in-person and online)

Nonprofit Management – UAPP 673 Governing Nonprofit Organizations (3 credits)
Public Management – UAPP 684 Performance Management and Program Evaluation (3 credits)
Public Policy Analysis – UAPP 701 Public Policy (3 credits)
Health Systems Management – UAPP 657 Health Policy (3 credits)
Emergency Management – DISA 650 Overview of Disaster Science and Management (3 credits)

Career Outcomes

MPA Graduation within Program Length

Our MPA students have a high success rate of graduating on time. Our academic year 2019-2020 cohort, as measured by NASPAA, indicates the following:

24 students were initially enrolled
4 students graduated within two years
8 students graduated within three years
12 students graduated within four years
16 total students graduated and persisting to graduation

In-person modality:

6 students were initially enrolled
4 students graduated within two years
4 students graduated within three years
4 students graduated within four years
4 total students graduated and persisting to graduation

Online modality:

18 students were initially enrolled
0 students graduated within two years
4 students graduated within three years
8 students graduated within four years
12 total students graduated and persisting to graduation

MPA Graduate Placement

Biden School graduates work in academia, politics, government, law, policy, activism, nonprofits, and the private sector.

Our 2024 graduating class was placed in the following sectors:

Federal Government: 2
U.S. City/State/Local Government: 6
Nonprofit: 6
Private Sector: 7
Obtaining Further Education: 1
Unemployed (Seeking Employment): 1
Status Unknown: 2

MPA CAREER OUTCOMES

start your application

Apply online with the UD Graduate College
Fill out the Biden School supplemental form below
Gather relevant documents to upload
Submit your application

mpA Admissions Deadlines

Fall: December 15 (priority); August 15
Spring: December 15 (priority); January 15
Summer: April 15 (priority); May 15

UD Graduate College Tuition & Fees >

Biden School Scholarships & Funding >

ADMISSIONS FAQs

Admissions Requirements

Our graduate application system is designed to put you in control of not only the application but all documents associated with it. We have designated areas within the application where each required document should be uploaded. Please note that the online MPA program requires two years of professional experience.

You’ll need:

- A completed online application

- A bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year university

- A current résumé

- Unofficial copies of your transcripts (we’ll need official versions once you’re admitted)

- Letters of recommendation: You provide names and email addresses for your recommenders, and recommendation forms are emailed directly to them from the online application. Instructions are included as to how to return the completed forms electronically. You can submit your application before your letters of recommendation are complete.

- A personal statement

- Biden School supplemental application form (linked below)

- No GRE required

supplemental application form (Pdf)

supplemental application form (DOC)

Test Scores

The Biden School does not require the GRE for admission.
The Biden School accepts the minimum English proficiency test scores listed in the Graduate Admissions Test scores section.

Application Fee Waivers

The UD Graduate College and the Biden School cannot waive fees solely based on financial hardship.

UD Graduate College Application Fee Waiver: Please see if you qualify for a Graduate College fee waiver here.

Scroll down the page until you come to Application Fee Waivers. Click the “+” sign for more information.
Questions regarding applying for a Graduate College-issued application fee waiver should be directed to Graduate Admissions at gradadmissions@udel.edu.

Biden School Application Fee Waivers: If you do not meet Graduate College criteria for an application fee waiver, then you may be eligible for a fee waiver through the Biden School.

Waivers are granted based on the Biden School goals below:

Recognizing exceptional student achievement and merit.
Increasing social mobility by supporting first-generation college students.
Expanding the diversity of our student body by encouraging applicants who bring unique perspectives shaped by life experiences.
Expanding our cultural and experiential diversity by enrolling individuals with significant work experience, applied expertise, international perspectives, or military service.

ALUMNI IN ACTION

Biden School alumni are a community of problem solvers and “fixers” committed to helping communities here in Delaware, the nation, and around the world. Our alumni work in academia, politics, government, law, policy, activism, non-profits and the private sector.

ALUMNI SPOTlights

Pursuing LGBTQ+ equality

Top 11% in the Nation

The Biden School's graduate programs are ranked highly by the U.S. News and World Report.

NASPAA Accredited

We maintain accreditation by the Network of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration.

Fund your Education

We're committed to affordability. Learn about funding and scholarships available.

From Delaware to the World

Real World Experience

The Hallmark of a Biden School education is the “Delaware Model” where education and experience meet. Our students are impacting the issues and causes they care about right now through paid fellowships, internships, and research assistantships.

student opportunities

Biden School Study Abroad

The Biden School offers international study abroad for its students to complement its classroom-based curriculum. Past programs traveled to Belgium, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, Denmark, England, France, Germany, India, Italy, Romania, Scotland, Sweden, South Africa, South Korea, and the Netherlands.

study abroad opportunities

4+1 accelerated MPA degrees

Complete your bachelor's degree and a master's program in just five years! Students complete a traditional four-year undergraduate program in four years and then pursue a master's program in the fifth (+1) year saving time and money.

get to knoW the biden school faculty and their work

Biden School faculty embraces the “Delaware Model” of integrating research, teaching, and public service to prepare graduates to impact communities locally and globally. Our faculty are productive scholars, excellent teachers, and skilled practitioners with decades of experience in their field.

FACULTY PROFILES