Online Master of Public Administration

LSU Online offers several ways to help you pay for your degree including credit for prior learning (PLA), financial aid, and veteran education benefits. Learn More.

Total credit hours for program: 36 credit hours

Cost per credit hour: $697

Total cost with fees: $25,092

Cost per credit hour and fees are subject to change. Exact fees may vary by program. Please consult an Enrollment Concierge for the final program cost.

The Master of Public Administration requires the completion of 36 credits distributed as follows:

Core Requirements: 27 Credit Hours

• PADM 5600 Microeconomic Theory for Public Administration | 3 Credit Hours
• PADM 7009 Data Analytics for Public Administration l | 3 Credit Hours
• PADM 7010 Data Analytics for Public Administration ll | 3 Credit Hours
• PADM 7852 Practicum | 1 Credit Hour
• PADM 7901 MPA Capstone | 2 Credit Hours
• PADM 7902 Seminar in Public Policy | 3 Credit Hours
• PADM 7910 Public Administration Theory and Practice | 3 Credit Hours
• PADM 7911 Organizational Analysis for Public and Nonprofit Organizations | 3 Credit Hours
• PADM 7912 Public Human Resource Management | 3 Credit Hours
• PADM 7914 Budgeting & Financial Management | 3 Credit Hours

Elective Requirements: 9 Credit Hours

• PADM 7925 Non-Profit Management | 3 Credit Hours
• PADM 7970 Fundraising and Grant Writing | 3 Credit Hours
• Elective* | 3 Credit Hours

*Students can take 4000-level and higher courses as electives from any other College/department with approval. The course must be taught by a member of the LSU Graduate Faculty.

Admission to graduate study is a two-fold evaluation process. The Office of Graduate Admissions determines eligibility and the Department of Public Administration determines admissibility to the degree program. Final admission to the university is subject to approval by the Office of Graduate Admissions. Students are eligible for admission to the Department of Public Administration once they have successfully submitted the following requirements. Each student and their portfolio will be evaluated on an individual basis.

Admission Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree from accredited U.S. or equivalent from a foreign institution
• GPA – 3.0 on all undergraduate work (or last 60 hours) and a 3.0 on any graduate work already complete
• Official transcripts of all previous college or university work
• Statement of purpose – motivation to pursue an MPA degree, personal and career goals, your commitment to excellence, etc.
• 3 letters of recommendation
• Resume

Additional Admission Considerations:

• Work experience
• Standardized test scores (GRE, GMAT, LSAT, etc.)
• Activities indicating an interest in public management/public policy
• Other experiences that indicate the ability to complete a professional program

• public manager
• management analyst
• public policy analyst
• budget analyst
• lobbyist
• development officer
• non-profit manager