Master of Public Administration - CAPPA - The University of Texas at Arlington
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:14
Master of Public Administration - CAPPA - The University of Texas at Arlington
Master of Public Administration
The program strengthens public decision-making and the delivery of public services in a globalized and diverse society.
Request Information
Online MPA
The online MPA 39-credit hours (with internship waiver) provides a convenient, flexible way for working professionals or recent graduates to earn their MPA degree regardless of their schedule or location, without sacrificing academic quality.
Online MPA
City Cohort
The 39-hour city cohort program mixes daytime classes at city government locations with online learning tailored to city management and includes an emphasis in economic development and urban management.
Learn more about the City Cohort format
On-Campus MPA
The program is designed to be completed in five semesters by full-time students and either six or seven semesters by part-time students whether the student takes the capstone 5399 with two other courses their last semester.
On-Campus
MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of the Master of Public Administration program is to strengthen public decision making and the delivery of public services in a globalized and diverse society by educating students to lead and manage organizations at all levels of government and nonprofit institutions ethically, democratically, and effectively.
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
Our quality reputation and impact make the UTA MPA consistently among the Top 20 largest accredited U.S. programs and Top 2 in Texas.
1
With
seven full-time teaching faculty
, there are MPA modality options: campus, online, and a city cohort. Set in the dynamic Dallas-Fort Worth region, the on-campus and accelerated online programs offer tremendous opportunities for practice and learning. The unique intermix of city planning, public policy, and architecture in the program’s home college (CAPPA) creates significant unique opportunities for students to co-create urban, ecological, and social fabrics.
Program Director:
Dr. David Coursey
WHY PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION?
Public Administration is concerned with the formulation, analysis and implementation of public policy in urban institutions. With an interdisciplinary focus, this program gives special emphasis to the urban community and the special challenges of public managers who serve in urban areas.
The curriculum is designed to develop leadership capacity, understanding of the political, social, and economic characteristics of today's urban environment and the ability to apply current theories of management and analysis to difficult management issues.
The program is meant as preparation for those entering management careers in government for the first time or as career development for those already employed who are seeking upward mobility in public management.
UTA MPA RANKINGS
#1 Top 50 Online MPA Programs (intelligent.com, 2019)
#9 Top 30 Online MPA Programs (onlinecollegeplan.com, 2019)
#15 Best Value MPA Program (valuecolleges.com, 2019)
Top 38% Best Public Affairs Programs (U.S. News & World Report's, 2018)
Best MPA Careers in Urban Management (onlinemasters.com, 2018)
#23 Online Program Among Accredited Schools (onlinemasters.com, 2018)
#9 Most Affordable MPA Among Accredited Schools (onlineeu.org, 2018)
#41 MPA Ranking (topmanagementdegrees.com, 2018)
#10 Online MPA Program (greatvaluecolleges.net, 2018)
#11 Online MPA Program (mpadegree.org)
MPA Graduate Job Industry Examples from AY 23-24 Graduates (77 total)
Local/Regional Government (40)
Nonprofits (9)
Private Sector (15)
State government (5)
National government (2)
Military (0)
International government (0)
Unemployed (0)
Further education (2)
Unknown (4)
*Most of our students have existing jobs and obtain the degree towards seeking increased career opportunities.
As of Fall 2024, there were 183 students in the MPA program (27 campus, 110 online, and 46 city cohort) with approximately 90% part-time students (viz., taking fewer than 9 hours a semester). Most of our students have existing jobs and obtain the degree towards seeking increased career opportunities.
UTA is the 26th largest accredited MPA program in the world, 19th the United States, and the second largest in Texas.
1
For the 113 AY 18-19 initially enrolled students, 15% completed the degree within two years, 72% in 3 years, and 79% in 4-years (and 81% later or still in the program. A part-time student can finish the program in 6-7 semesters and, using summer classes, as early as two calendar years. In AY23-24, 88% of classes were taught by full-time faculty with no variation across campus, online, or city cohort modalities.
UTA MPA Graduate Median Salaries for Texas Residents reported by SeekUT:
$81,000: one-year post-graduation
$95,000: five years post-graduation
$112,000: ten years post-graduation
The median salaries are among the highest in all UT-system MPA/MPP/MPPA –
Source:
SeekUT.utsystem.edu
COST OF ATTENDANCE
Full-time campus students (9 hours in Fall and Spring, 6 hours in the Summer) can complete the degree for $23,973 as a Texas resident and $56,074 as a non-resident. A part-time campus student (6 hours Fall and Spring, 3 hours in the Summer) can complete the degree for $24,591 as a Texas resident and $56,908 as a non-resident. The city cohort and online programs are designed for part-time students and the part-time costs apply. It is very rare for an online student to go full-time and not possible with the city cohort.
Books and supplies should not total above $1,000 per academic year. Other costs, such as transportation and housing, depend on the individual student needs. See
UTA’s Average Cost
website for assistance with estimating these costs.
Note: tuition estimates from
UTA’s Tuition Estimator.
All cost of attendance data is estimated and unofficial.
ADMISSION INFORMATION
For more information about our graduate programs, please complete the
information request form
or email
info@pad.uta.edu
There are two different application forms depending on whether you are interested in the campus or online program. For more admission information, review the
Admissions Process form
.
>
1.
Source: Latest available NASPAA Data Center – Fall 2024 enrollments
Overview
Bachelor of Science in Interior Design
Student Achievement Data
Bachelor of Science in Architecture
Master of Architecture
Master of Science in Sustainable Building Technology
Faculty
Studio Culture Policy
First Year Competency
Graduate Studio Lottery
Accreditation
Overview
Bachelor of Science in Sustainable Urban Design
Master of Landscape of Architecture
Dual Master’s Degree with NTU
Design Playbook
Planter Project
Faculty
Overview
Advanced Standing MCRP Program
Master of City and Regional Planning
Dual Master Degrees
Ph.D in Urban Planning and Public Policy
Overview
Online MPA
City Cohort
On-Campus
Dual Master Degrees
Ph.D in Public Administration and Public Policy
Certificate Programs
Profile
Research Expertise
Jobs and Opportunities
Doctoral Student Research
Overview
Architecture History Minor
Environmental and Sustainability Studies Minor
Urban Affairs Minor
Overview
International Program Innsbruck
A+ FOR THE MASTER OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION PRORAM
CAPPA's MPA program is accredited by the NASPAA Commission on Peer Review and Accreditation and listed on the Annual Roster of Accredited Programs in conformity with NASPAA standards
15th LARGEST ENROLLED U.S. PROGRAM
CAPPA's MPA program is among the highest ranked program in the public administration field.
Address
College of Architecture, Planning and Public Affairs
601 W. Nedderman Drive
Suite 203
Arlington, TX 76019-0108
Connect with us
CAPPA Facebook
CAPPA Instagram
CAPPA LinkedIn
Twitter
Important Links
Give to CAPPA
News
CAPPA SharePoint
Contact
Master of Public Administration
The program strengthens public decision-making and the delivery of public services in a globalized and diverse society.
Request Information
Online MPA
The online MPA 39-credit hours (with internship waiver) provides a convenient, flexible way for working professionals or recent graduates to earn their MPA degree regardless of their schedule or location, without sacrificing academic quality.
Online MPA
City Cohort
The 39-hour city cohort program mixes daytime classes at city government locations with online learning tailored to city management and includes an emphasis in economic development and urban management.
Learn more about the City Cohort format
On-Campus MPA
The program is designed to be completed in five semesters by full-time students and either six or seven semesters by part-time students whether the student takes the capstone 5399 with two other courses their last semester.
On-Campus
MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of the Master of Public Administration program is to strengthen public decision making and the delivery of public services in a globalized and diverse society by educating students to lead and manage organizations at all levels of government and nonprofit institutions ethically, democratically, and effectively.
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
Our quality reputation and impact make the UTA MPA consistently among the Top 20 largest accredited U.S. programs and Top 2 in Texas.
1
With
seven full-time teaching faculty
, there are MPA modality options: campus, online, and a city cohort. Set in the dynamic Dallas-Fort Worth region, the on-campus and accelerated online programs offer tremendous opportunities for practice and learning. The unique intermix of city planning, public policy, and architecture in the program’s home college (CAPPA) creates significant unique opportunities for students to co-create urban, ecological, and social fabrics.
Program Director:
Dr. David Coursey
WHY PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION?
Public Administration is concerned with the formulation, analysis and implementation of public policy in urban institutions. With an interdisciplinary focus, this program gives special emphasis to the urban community and the special challenges of public managers who serve in urban areas.
The curriculum is designed to develop leadership capacity, understanding of the political, social, and economic characteristics of today's urban environment and the ability to apply current theories of management and analysis to difficult management issues.
The program is meant as preparation for those entering management careers in government for the first time or as career development for those already employed who are seeking upward mobility in public management.
UTA MPA RANKINGS
#1 Top 50 Online MPA Programs (intelligent.com, 2019)
#9 Top 30 Online MPA Programs (onlinecollegeplan.com, 2019)
#15 Best Value MPA Program (valuecolleges.com, 2019)
Top 38% Best Public Affairs Programs (U.S. News & World Report's, 2018)
Best MPA Careers in Urban Management (onlinemasters.com, 2018)
#23 Online Program Among Accredited Schools (onlinemasters.com, 2018)
#9 Most Affordable MPA Among Accredited Schools (onlineeu.org, 2018)
#41 MPA Ranking (topmanagementdegrees.com, 2018)
#10 Online MPA Program (greatvaluecolleges.net, 2018)
#11 Online MPA Program (mpadegree.org)
MPA Graduate Job Industry Examples from AY 23-24 Graduates (77 total)
Local/Regional Government (40)
Nonprofits (9)
Private Sector (15)
State government (5)
National government (2)
Military (0)
International government (0)
Unemployed (0)
Further education (2)
Unknown (4)
*Most of our students have existing jobs and obtain the degree towards seeking increased career opportunities.
As of Fall 2024, there were 183 students in the MPA program (27 campus, 110 online, and 46 city cohort) with approximately 90% part-time students (viz., taking fewer than 9 hours a semester). Most of our students have existing jobs and obtain the degree towards seeking increased career opportunities.
UTA is the 26th largest accredited MPA program in the world, 19th the United States, and the second largest in Texas.
1
For the 113 AY 18-19 initially enrolled students, 15% completed the degree within two years, 72% in 3 years, and 79% in 4-years (and 81% later or still in the program. A part-time student can finish the program in 6-7 semesters and, using summer classes, as early as two calendar years. In AY23-24, 88% of classes were taught by full-time faculty with no variation across campus, online, or city cohort modalities.
UTA MPA Graduate Median Salaries for Texas Residents reported by SeekUT:
$81,000: one-year post-graduation
$95,000: five years post-graduation
$112,000: ten years post-graduation
The median salaries are among the highest in all UT-system MPA/MPP/MPPA –
Source:
SeekUT.utsystem.edu
COST OF ATTENDANCE
Full-time campus students (9 hours in Fall and Spring, 6 hours in the Summer) can complete the degree for $23,973 as a Texas resident and $56,074 as a non-resident. A part-time campus student (6 hours Fall and Spring, 3 hours in the Summer) can complete the degree for $24,591 as a Texas resident and $56,908 as a non-resident. The city cohort and online programs are designed for part-time students and the part-time costs apply. It is very rare for an online student to go full-time and not possible with the city cohort.
Books and supplies should not total above $1,000 per academic year. Other costs, such as transportation and housing, depend on the individual student needs. See
UTA’s Average Cost
website for assistance with estimating these costs.
Note: tuition estimates from
UTA’s Tuition Estimator.
All cost of attendance data is estimated and unofficial.
ADMISSION INFORMATION
For more information about our graduate programs, please complete the
information request form
or email
info@pad.uta.edu
There are two different application forms depending on whether you are interested in the campus or online program. For more admission information, review the
Admissions Process form
.
>
1.
Source: Latest available NASPAA Data Center – Fall 2024 enrollments
Overview
Bachelor of Science in Interior Design
Student Achievement Data
Bachelor of Science in Architecture
Master of Architecture
Master of Science in Sustainable Building Technology
Faculty
Studio Culture Policy
First Year Competency
Graduate Studio Lottery
Accreditation
Overview
Bachelor of Science in Sustainable Urban Design
Master of Landscape of Architecture
Dual Master’s Degree with NTU
Design Playbook
Planter Project
Faculty
Overview
Advanced Standing MCRP Program
Master of City and Regional Planning
Dual Master Degrees
Ph.D in Urban Planning and Public Policy
Overview
Online MPA
City Cohort
On-Campus
Dual Master Degrees
Ph.D in Public Administration and Public Policy
Certificate Programs
Profile
Research Expertise
Jobs and Opportunities
Doctoral Student Research
Overview
Architecture History Minor
Environmental and Sustainability Studies Minor
Urban Affairs Minor
Overview
International Program Innsbruck
A+ FOR THE MASTER OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION PRORAM
CAPPA's MPA program is accredited by the NASPAA Commission on Peer Review and Accreditation and listed on the Annual Roster of Accredited Programs in conformity with NASPAA standards
15th LARGEST ENROLLED U.S. PROGRAM
CAPPA's MPA program is among the highest ranked program in the public administration field.
Address
College of Architecture, Planning and Public Affairs
601 W. Nedderman Drive
Suite 203
Arlington, TX 76019-0108
Connect with us
CAPPA Facebook
CAPPA Instagram
CAPPA LinkedIn
Important Links
Give to CAPPA
News
CAPPA SharePoint
Contact