Aurora University

What you'll study

The program requires 36 credit hours: 21 credits of core courses and 15 credits of electives. Core course topics include economics, administration of public institutions, public policy and analysis, government and community relations, public finance and budgeting, applied research and evaluation, and an advanced seminar in applied public administration.

• MBA6130 Economics – 3 hours
• MPA6110 Administration of Public Institutions – 3 hours
• MPA6120 Public Policy and Analysis – 3 hours
• MPA6130 Government and Community Relations – 3 hours
• MPA6140 Public Finance and Budgeting – 3 hours
• MPA6170 Applied Research, Insights, and Evaluation – 3 hours
• MPA6200 Advanced Seminar in Applied Public Administration – 3 hours

Electives (15 hours) let you focus on nonprofit leadership, grant writing, public safety, public sector law, community and economic development, selected topics, or an internship. Up to 6 elective hours may be taken from MBA courses.

• MPA6350 Nonprofit Management and Leadership – 3 hours
• MPA6360 Grant Writing, Philanthropy, and Advancement – 3 hours
• MPA6450 Public Safety Administration – 3 hours
• MPA6460 Public Sector Law and Civil Liability – 3 hours
• MPA6640 Principles of Community and Economic Development – 3 hours
• MPA6810-9 Selected Topics in Public Administration – 3 hours
• MPA6940 MPA Internship – 3 hours

Entry requirements

Applicants must submit a completed Graduate Application for Admission, official transcripts, a resume/CV, and a personal statement. A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution with a minimum 3.0 GPA is required; applicants with GPAs below 3.0 may be considered case-by-case and may need to provide additional materials or an interview. Students must have unrestricted access to a computer or mobile device with high-speed internet; AU uses Brightspace for online course delivery.

Career prospects

Graduates are prepared for leadership and analytical roles in government and nonprofit sectors. Aurora University lists potential job titles supported by U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics state data for Illinois, including budget analyst, emergency management director, management analyst, and urban planner. These roles reflect the program’s emphasis on budgeting, policy analysis, evaluation and community engagement.

Scholarships & funding angle

AU notes several cost-related features that may affect funding needs: instructors use OER to lower textbook costs, the program charges a $100 Technology Fee per semester, and the university does not require GRE/GMAT scores or an application fee for this program. Aurora also accepts up to graduate-level transfer credit (grades of B or better) from regionally accredited institutions, which can shorten time-to-degree and reduce overall tuition expense.