Metropolitan State University

What you'll study

Coursework is structured to move from core foundations to applied practice. Components include:

• Program fundamentals — foundational concepts and skills that underpin the MPA.
• Strategic skills and knowledge — core competencies for public and nonprofit professionals, such as strategic management of human resources, revenue generation, and budgeting and financial management.
• Focus areas — required sequences in Public Policy Analysis and Public Budgeting and Finance, supplemented by electives in specialized practice areas.
• Analytic methods — techniques for public policy analysis, program evaluation, economic and statistical reasoning, and information management to support management decisions.
• Capstone seminar — an integrative final project that synthesizes program learning.

Entry requirements

All applicants must submit an admissions essay that also serves as a writing assessment. Applicants who have completed the GMAT or GRE may submit official scores to bypass the quantitative admissions assessment. Applicants without GMAT/GRE scores must complete the program's free online quantitative tutorial/assessment (ALEKS) if their cumulative undergraduate GPA is below 3.0 in the last two years of study. The quantitative assessment (when required) and admissions essay must be finished before a final admission decision and prior to enrolling in any graduate-level classes.

Career prospects

The program prepares graduates for roles requiring management, budgeting, policy analysis, program evaluation, and ethical leadership. Alumni hold positions across local, state, federal, nonprofit, and private sectors. Sample jobs held by alumni include:

• City Manager
• County Administrator
• Finance Director and Chief Budget Officer
• Grants Management Specialist
• Parks and Recreation Director
• Deputy Director at county or state agencies
• Executive Director of nonprofit organizations
• U.S. Department of State diplomat

Scholarships & funding angle

Metro State participates in AmeriCorps National Service benefits: AmeriCorps alumni in the Public and Nonprofit Leadership department are eligible for a 20% tuition discount. The Nellie Stone Johnson Scholarship provides financial assistance to racial or ethnic minority union members pursuing postsecondary education. Additional departmental or university financial aid may be available but is not detailed on the course page.