Online Master of Public Administration (MPA)
Help Individuals and Communities Become Their Own Advocates
100% Online
As Few As 12 Months
33 Credit Hours
$645 per Credit
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Complete this form to receive information about coursework, admissions, tuition and more.
Serve in Management Roles That Make a Difference
- Apply By: 08/14/2026
- Start Class: 08/25/2026
Prepare to become a leader whose decisions directly impact the well-being of others. Whether you’d like to influence positive change in government, nonprofits, public service institutions or other policy-related settings, the online Master of Public Administration program helps you shape communities and improve lives.
An online MPA is a powerful investment for career advancement. Many Delaware State University MPA graduates have qualified for senior positions in this field or transitioned into leadership roles within their organizations.
Program Details
- Develop administrative expertise regardless of your background
- Complete online courses where and when it’s convenient
- Gain experience through an internship
- Build a strong foundation for career growth
More Information About This Program
Click on each tab below to learn additional details regarding the program requirements and features.
Curriculum
Benefit From Comprehensive Coursework Plus Real-World Experience
33 Credit Hours
11 Courses
Throughout your MPA degree coursework, you’ll develop skills that support public trust and accountability, such as policy analysis, budgeting, strategic planning and complex problem-solving. You will also gain practical experience working directly with communities. Learn more about how our experiential, people-centered approach elevates your education.
What Makes DSU’s Online MPA Program Unique?
Civic Engagement and Empowerment
With each course, you’ll build valuable knowledge and discover ways to immediately apply your expertise to involve and empower communities.
Real-World Acumen
As you learn, you’ll have opportunities to engage with local nonprofit and government agencies who will offer their perspectives and advice.
Internship Experience
If you have less than three years of management experience, you will complete a transformative internship with placement assistance from Career Services.
Admission Requirements
Apply to the Online MPA Program – No Test Scores Required
Application Deadline 08/14/26
Start Date 08/25/26
When you’re ready to apply for the public administration master’s online, gather your materials and prepare to fill out the online application.
| Online Application Form | Apply Now |
|---|---|
| Degree and Minimum GPA | A baccalaureate or higher degree with a cumulative GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale |
| Transcripts | Send official transcripts from any institution you’ve attended |
| Transfer Credits | DSU accepts up to nine graduate credits in a related discipline within the last 10 years |
| Test Scores | Not required |
| Resume | Submit an up-to-date resume. Proof of three years of management experience can exempt you from the program’s internship requirement |
| Letters of Recommendation | Provide two letters of recommendation |
| Personal Statement | A statement in which you introduce yourself, show what you’ve accomplished, summarize your career goals and explain why you’re a strong fit for the online MPA program |
International Students
DSU offers an empowering community to students from around the world. In addition to the basic admission requirements, you’ll submit the following items with your application. Be sure to apply at least 90 days before classes start so that you have ample time to fulfill these requirements.
| Visa | Only F-1 visas are accepted for international admission to degree programs. If you’re an F-1 transfer student, we require a copy of your I-20 form upon admission |
|---|---|
| Financial Documentation | International applicants must submit proof of funds to cover at least their first year of study. If living with a friend or relative in the U.S., students must submit additional documentation such as an affidavit of free room and board with supporting documents. For financial documentation, international students must forward the required financial evidence to the Office of International Affairs |
| Transcript Evaluation | Transcripts must be evaluated by a recognized credential evaluation agency (such as WES or ECE) and sent to DSU |
| Standardized Test Scores | Acceptable tests include TOEFL, IELTS, SAT, ACT or ELI |
Begin Your Journey to Delaware State University
Each student follows a unique path to DSU, and we’re here to make your journey a success. Visit our Admissions Hub to explore the steps you’ll complete when applying for an online program. You can also learn about transferring credits, using military benefits and taking the next step as an international student.
AdmissionsTuition & Aid
Tuition and Fees for the Online MPA Program
Calculate your cost for attending Delaware State University Use our tuition calculator to help you estimate your total tuition costs.
Education is an important investment in your future, so at Delaware State University, we’re committed to transparency surrounding our tuition and fees. Please see the tuition breakdown for the online MPA program below.
| Cost per Credit Hour | $645 |
|---|---|
| Total Number of Credit Hours | 33 |
| Total Estimated Tuition | $21,285 |
| Additional Fees |
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| Other Costs to Budget For | The estimated tuition does not include expenses incurred during the online program |
Supporting the Ambitions of Military Students
DSU is proud to support the educational goals of active-duty and veteran service members. Here, you’ll receive guidance for your mission to continue your education, and you can make the most of the benefits available through the Department of Veterans Affairs. Plus, learn how you can receive credit for the knowledge and skills gained through your military service.
Tuition & Financial Aid
When you succeed professionally, your entire community rises with you. Knowing that education plays a central role in that success, DSU offers cost-effective tuition so that financial barriers don’t stand between you and your goals. Visit our Tuition and Aid page to learn how to make online education fit your budget.
Tuition Details
Grow Professionally. Give Back Purposefully.
An MPA is a smart choice for stable, purpose-driven work because it sets you apart in a growing sector. About 49% of public policy and social services professionals hold a master’s degree.1 With your MPA, you’ll show a commitment to lifelong learning and leadership.
The online MPA program can lead to a variety of roles including city manager, compliance officer, nonprofit director, policy analyst and more.
Rewarding Roles for Online MPA Graduates
Urban and Regional Planners $83,720 per year2
Social and Community Service Managers $78,240 per year3
What You’ll Learn
The DSU Master of Public Administration online program gives you the tools to make a measurable impact. Some of the skills you’ll learn are:
- Human resources management
- Leveraging technology for organizations
- Policy analysis
- Program evaluation
- Public and nonprofit budgeting
- Strategic planning and management
Program Outcomes
Upon completing the online MPA, you’ll be able to:
- Identify the historical, theoretical, legal and civic roots of public administration as a function of democratic governance and as an academic and professional discipline
- Demonstrate the technical and research skills to successfully evaluate problems, gather and interpret data, and make informed decisions
- Apply principles of strategic planning and management
- Assess contexts, analyze policy and evaluate programs as public administration scholars and practitioners
- Communicate policy and administration principles effectively to a diverse range of audiences in a variety of media
- Apply a working knowledge of the institutional, organizational and interpersonal networks of society to achieve goals
Learn From Faculty Who Believe in Your Potential
Our faculty will welcome you like family and provide personalized mentorship to bring your goals to life. They understand your perspective and experiences — after all, many of our instructors walked similar paths before becoming leaders in their fields. Rely on their professional expertise as you prepare to advance in the career that interests you.
Dr. Cynthia Newton, MPA Director
Faculty Spotlight: Dr. Cynthia Newton
Dr. Cynthia Newton is the director of partnerships and programs for the DSU Biomedical, Behavioral and Allied Health Center and is also the director for the MPA program.
Dr. Newton holds a PhD in Public and International Affairs from Northeastern University, an MPA in Nonprofit Management from Clark University, and a BA in Politics and Women’s Studies from Assumption College. She has over 20 years of teaching and higher education experience, and many years of starting and managing nonprofit organizations.
Dr. Newton is deeply involved in food systems, obesity and health policy. Her current primary area of research surrounds food insecurity.
Dr. Newton is a member of the Restoring Central Dover Advisory Committee and is part of the Dover Youth Committee. She served on the boards of the Dover Interfaith Mission for Housing, Dover Strong Foundation and Friends of the Delaware Public Archives. With these experiences and her current role at DSU, she draws on local organizations, community leaders and members to improve the quality of life, as all true change begins at this level.
Sources
- Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. Occupational Outlook Handbook. “Field of degree: Public policy and social services.” August 28, 2025. Retrieved February 20, 2026, from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/field-of-degree/public-policy-and-social-services/public-policy-and-social-services-field-of-degree.htm.
- Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. Occupational Outlook Handbook. “Urban and Regional Planners.” August 28, 2025. Retrieved February 20, 2026, from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/urban-and-regional-planners.htm.
- Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. Occupational Outlook Handbook. “Social and Community Service Managers.” August 28, 2025. Retrieved February 20, 2026, from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/social-and-community-service-managers.htm.