Master of Public Administration (MPA)
Prepare to lead and serve with an MPA designed for working professionals seeking to advance their careers and make a meaningful impact in government, nonprofit and public-serving organizations.
- Hybrid Format: Online courses and face-to-face activities and courses in Dallas.
- 2 years full time
- 36 credit hours
Lead. Serve. Make an Impact.
Turn your commitment to public service into impactful leadership! The master of public administration program at East Texas A&M helps prepare you to lead, manage and make informed decisions in government, nonprofit organizations and other public-serving institutions. Designed for working professionals, our flexible hybrid program develops practical skills in public management, policy analysis, budgeting, research and ethical leadership to help advance your career and strengthen the communities you serve.
What Are My Job Opportunities?
The MPA program helps graduates for a wide range of leadership, management and analytical careers in local, state and federal government, nonprofit organizations and other public-serving institutions. Career opportunities vary according to professional experience, area of concentration and employment sector.
Career Possibilities
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
Program Details
The master of public administration program helps prepare you to lead public and nonprofit organizations, analyze policy and make informed decisions that strengthen communities.
What Will I Learn?
You will have the opportunity to gain experience in a number of key areas.
Public Management and Leadership
Develop the skills to lead organizations, manage people and resources and address complex challenges in government and public-serving organizations.
Policy Analysis and Program Evaluation
Learn to analyze public policies, evaluate programs, monitor performance and use evidence to improve public programs and outcomes.
Research and Data-Informed Decision Making
Build skills in quantitative and qualitative research and in collecting, analyzing and interpreting data to support effective public-sector decision-making.
Ethics and Professional Communication
Develop the ability to navigate ethical challenges and communicate clearly, professionally and persuasively with a wide range of audiences.
Taking Classes
You can complete your MPA in four semesters while building your expertise through a flexible hybrid format that combines online coursework with face-to-face classes and other enrichment activities at East Texas A&M University–Dallas.
36 Credit Hours
Complete 24 credit hours of required courses (including 3 credit hours of Capstone) and 12 credit hours of concentration in General, Non-Profit Management, Criminal Justice, Management, and Sociology.
Four-Semester Format
Designed for completion in four semesters at 9 credit hours per semester, the program helps you balance graduate study with your professional commitments.
Hybrid Delivery
Combine the convenience of online instruction with face-to-face classes and enrichment activities at East Texas A&M University–Dallas.
For an up-to-date list of current course offerings, please check the schedule of classes, which is subject to change.
Curriculum
Our hybrid program requires 36 semester hours, focusing on public management, policy analysis, research and ethical leadership to develop analytical and leadership skills. Completion of a capstone project is part of the curriculum. The program supports preparation for a range of professional paths in government, nonprofit organizations, public service and further study.
Adding Value with Certificates
Add value to your degree by earning a graduate certificate and enhancing your career prospects in the field of sociology.
Criminal Justice Management Graduate Certificate
This certificate is designed to attract student practitioners seeking to advance within the decision-making and leadership roles within their field. The courses in this plan focus on management and policy issues. This certificate is ideal for you if you wish to specialize in management issues, such as evaluating, planning, organizing, staffing, directing, coordinating, reporting and budgeting.
Criminal Justice Studies Graduate Certificate
If you are seeking to gain general knowledge in the field, whether you are new to concepts in criminal justice or are currently working in the criminal justice field, this might be the best fit for you. The flexibility of this certificate allows for a great deal of latitude in customizing courses to suit individual professional interests.
I’m Looking For Something Different
Is this program close, but still not right for you? Check out our related degrees!
Financing My Future
Financial Aid
Financial aid includes a variety of programs, like scholarships, federal and state grants, and federal and state work-study programs. Find out how you may be eligible for scholarships, grants, loans and/or a graduate assistantship.
On-Campus Employment Opportunities
Enhance your expertise through on-campus employment opportunities.
Graduate Assistant/Research/Teaching
Graduate assistant teaching (GAT), graduate assistant research (GAR), and graduate assistant non-teaching (GANT) assistantships at East Texas A&M offer financial support and professional development for graduate students. Assistantships are available in academic and non-academic departments.
Cost Before Financial Aid
East Texas A&M is one of the most affordable colleges around the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. Our tuition rates are some of the most competitive in Texas.
$3,851
for Texas residents
/
$7,703
For non-residents
Tuition and fees for graduate students taking nine credit hours are $3,851 for Texas residents and $7,703 for non-residents.
Additional Fees May Apply
- Online Courses ($50 per hour)
- Remote Locations ($20 per hour)
- Lab Fees ($5 – $30 per course)
How Do I Get Started?
If you have not already done so, complete the Request Information form. You will be connected with your enrollment specialist, who can answer your questions. When you’re ready, go ahead and follow the steps below to apply.
Admissions Requirements
To be considered for admission, you must first meet the following criteria.
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution
Admission Process
Note: This program is not currently available to International students.
Submit a graduate application here or create an ApplyTexas account or login if you already have one.
- Create an ApplyTexas account or login if you already have one
- Complete your profile section first once you log into your account
- Select “School Search” and select East Texas A&M
- Choose the semester you wish to begin
- Pay the $50 application fee.
Wait to receive an application confirmation email before proceeding to the next step.
- Within two business days of your application, the Graduate School will send a confirmation email to the personal email account you used for ApplyTexas.
Submit the following documents after you receive an application confirmation email.
- Upload your documents at myLeo > Apps > Check Admissions Application Status & Test Scores or email your documents to your graduate coordinator unless otherwise specified below.
Your Graduate Coordinator
Domestic Transcripts
Contact your previous institution(s) and request that they send your official transcripts to your Graduate Student Services Coordinator. We accept transcripts officially via email (directly from the institution), through Parchment, and any other official transcript providing agency. If your university does not offer an electronic transcript service, you may request them to be sent via regular mail to:
East Texas A&M University
Attn: Graduate School
2600 S. Neal St.
Commerce, Texas 75428
If your degree is from East Texas A&M University, you do not have to order a transcript. We will access your transcript.
If we already have your transcript, we will reuse it for a new application as long as it is still on file.
International transcripts
WES ICAP evaluations will be required for certain countries; those are listed below:
- Transcripts/Degrees from universities in Nigeria
- Transcripts/Degrees from universities in China that do not come from CSSD (formerly CHESICC)
- Any country where the official transcript is not in English
For all other countries, an evaluation is not initially required. Original official transcripts are required for admission consideration.
Please know that upon receipt of your official transcript, the Graduate School reserves the right to require an external evaluation at that time.
Contact your previous institution(s) and request that they send your official transcripts to:
East Texas A&M University
Attn: Graduate School
2600 S. Neal St.
Commerce, Texas 75428
We will need official/original documents.
If those documents are the only copies you have, the Graduate School can mail them back to you upon request. Contact your graduate coordinator for more information.
Answer these prompts in 500-1000 words:
- Why do you want to study that particular area? “I am interested in these types of theories because…”
- What do you hope this degree leads to?
- What are your short-term and long-term goals?
- Why are you a good fit for our university?
Submit a resume or curriculum vitae (CV) which includes your academic and professional history and achievements.
Submit an academic piece on any topic that demonstrates your ability to write at a graduate level (no more than 10 pages).
Request one reference contact, from a professional who can attest to your goals and ability to succeed in the program. That individual should:
- Email the letter to your graduate coordinator or
- Send the letter to you. Then, you will utilize the upload system: myLeo > Apps > Check Admissions Application Status & Test Scores
Look for application updates in myLeo > Apps > Check Application Status
- Once an admission decision has been made, you will receive an email to your student email account at myLeo > Apps > Leomail.
- Apply for scholarships and graduate assistantships once you are admitted.
- Apply for financial aid by submitting a FAFSA and sending it to school code 003565.
- Contact your financial aid advisor with any questions.
Once registration opens and you are eligible to enroll, your graduate enrollment specialist will contact you to complete registration.
- View your degree plan in DegreeWorks.
- To register for classes, go to myLeo > Student Resources > Registration Menu.
Contact your graduate enrollment specialist if you have any questions regarding your degree plan and registration.
Your Graduate Enrollment Specialist
I Still Have Questions
We are here to help! Send us an email. We can answer your questions and assist you in the application process.
Contact Us
- Department of Social Sciences
- [email protected]
- 1702 Education Drive
- Commerce, TX 75428
- P.O. Box 3011
- Commerce, TX 75429-3011