Public Administration

Public Administration at 麻豆精品视频 is about preparing you to lead, manage, and make a difference in your community and beyond. You鈥檒l learn how government, nonprofit, and public safety organizations work鈥攁nd how you can help them serve people better. Whether you鈥檙e interested in emergency management, public policy, or organizational leadership, this area of study gives you the tools to solve real-world challenges and build a safer, more effective society.

About Public Administration at FAU

Florida Atlantic鈥檚 School of Public Administration stands out for its strong connections to South Florida鈥檚 dynamic communities and its commitment to hands-on learning. You鈥檒l study with faculty who are active researchers and experienced professionals, and you鈥檒l have opportunities to intern with local governments, nonprofits, and public safety agencies. The school offers flexible online and in-person options, nationally ranked programs, and a curriculum that blends theory with practical skills鈥攕o you graduate ready to lead in a rapidly changing world.

Degrees Offered at Florida Atlantic

Undergraduate Degrees

  • Bachelor of Public Safety Administration (BPSA)
  • Concentrations: Law Enforcement and Corrections, Disaster Management
  • Bachelor of Public Management (see program page for details)

Graduate Degrees

  • Master of Public Administration (MPA)
  • Master of Nonprofit Management (MNM)
  • Ph.D. in Public Administration

Minors and Certificates

  • Minor in Public Management
  • Minor in Nonprofit Management
  • Interdisciplinary Minor in Disaster Management

Graduate Certificates

  • Nonprofit Executive Leadership
  • Public Ethics and Leadership
  • Public Procurement
  • Public Policy

Explore Degree Programs in Public Administration

Educational Objectives & Student Outcomes

1. Prepare students for leadership and management roles in public, nonprofit, and safety organizations.
2. Provide a strong foundation in public policy, budgeting, ethics, and organizational behavior.
3. Foster analytical, technical, and practical skills for effective decision-making.
4. Encourage lifelong learning and professional development.
5. Promote ethical public service and community engagement.

1. Demonstrate knowledge of public administration theory and practice.
2. Apply critical thinking and problem-solving skills to real-world public sector challenges.
3. Communicate effectively in professional settings.
4. Analyze and interpret public policies, budgets, and organizational processes.
5. Exhibit ethical decision-making and leadership in diverse environments.
6. Engage in research, internships, or service projects that connect classroom learning to community needs.

photograph of Efraim Ben-Zadok

Efraim Ben-Zadok, Ph.D., M.P.A.

Professor Emeritus

Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts & Letters

School of Public Administration

mailbenzadok@fau.edu
location_on

Boca Raton Campus | SO 202

Photograph of Ronald C. Nyhan, Ph.D.

Ronald C. Nyhan, Ph.D.

Associate Professor

Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts & Letters

Public Administration

mailrcnyhan@fau.edu
location_on

Boca Raton Campus | FL 33301

Matilda Veillard

Program Assistant

Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts & Letters

Public Administration

mailmveillard@fau.edu
call(561) 297-2330
location_on

Boca Raton Campus

witowski

Kaila Witkowski, Ph.D., M.P.A., M.S.W.

Assistant Professor

Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts & Letters

Public Administration

mailkwitkowski@fau.edu
call561-297-1564
location_on

Boca Raton Campus | FL 33431-0991 278

Frequently Asked Questions

All admission materials must be submitted by the established deadline date:

February 1 f or summer admission
M ay 1 for fall admission
October 1 for spring admission
Materials received after the established deadlines are not considered; therefore, make sure all application materials are in order before applying to the MPA program.

Currently we are not requiring the GRE even if the minimum GPA threshold is not met for the MPA degree program.

Bachelors degree (does not have to be related to public administration)
GPA: 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for your undergraduate degree and completion of an undergraduate statistics course
Three letters of recommendation
A personal essay
Current resume
We are currently WAIVING THE GRE requirement in those circumstances. Your application is considered on the totality of documents you submit, sans GRE test scores.

Most of our MPA program courses are hybrid, which means that there may be a 鈥渓ive session鈥� component in some of our courses. This requires that students come to campus on a particular evening periodically during the semester to meet in-person with the professor and student colleagues. During other weeks, there are asynchronous interactions using our online platform Canvas.

We allow students to schedule their own classes, so they choose whether to attend full- or part-time.

MPA, 36 credit hours:

Typically, a part-time student taking two courses per semester in Fall, Spring and Summer can complete their MPA degree in just over two years (7 semesters).

A full-time student taking three courses per semester can complete their MPA degree in one and a half years (4 semesters).

Please visit FAU鈥檚 webpage for the current tuition breakdown: /financial-aid/cost-of-attendance/

The School of Public Administration has very competitive Assistantships available. Once admitted, students can be considered for this part-time appointment.

Please visit FAU鈥檚 webpage 鈥� there are numerous resources to assist students financially plan for their education: /financial-aid/

The MPA program requires electives, which are great opportunities for students to take courses tailored to their interests. We do not generally restrict students鈥� electives (as long as they are at the 5000- or 6000-level), so students can customize their degree program.

For students in the MPA program, an internship is required if the student does not have relative experience in the public sector.

Taken as an elective, the internship requires the student to work 15 to 20 hours per week throughout the semester, applying what they learned in the program to routine agency operations or to special projects.

MPA alumni are working in federal, state, and local government agencies, and in non-profit organizations. Our graduates serve in such capacities as program managers, city officials, community and economic development specialists, directors of non-profit agencies, and government liaison specialists. For more information:

The Bureau of Labor Statistics offers some important information: .
The ICMA also offers some good information to consider:

Our graduate students hold undergraduate degrees in political science, social work, criminal justice, economics, business administration, marketing, psychology, and many others. We do not require or prefer any particular undergraduate degree, since we value the variety of knowledge and experience of our diverse student population.

Students must complete the 36 credit hour course work, earning no grade below a C. A GPA of 3.0 or higher is required to complete the MPA degree.

A faculty committee reviews applications, and applicants are notified usually within two weeks of the deadline.

Please visit the Graduate College鈥檚 International Student website for more specific information: /admissions/graduate/apply/full-time/

Official Transcripts: must be sent from the Registrar of each college you have attended.

Transcripts from U.S. institutions or English-speaking Canadian institutions should be sent directly to the centralized application systems (CAS). For more information on how to send transcripts, please visit the Help Center.


Please Note: Applicants who previously attended 麻豆精品视频do not need to send their 麻豆精品视频transcripts.

There is a non-refundable application fee due at the time the online application is started.

Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters

The College of Arts & Letters offers degree programs and certificates in the performing arts, fine arts, languages and social sciences.