MPA Online Program

Accreditation  ♦  Mission  ♦  Assistantships, Scholarships, & Awards  ♦  Scholarship Information  ♦  Program Outcomes    ♦  MPA FAQs  ♦  Accreditation Maintenance Reports

NASPAA Accreditation

We have received national reaccreditation by the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA). NASPAA is the only accrediting body for US programs in public administration, public policy, and public affairs, and has recently moved into international accreditation.

Accreditation demonstrates our commitment to the highest quality education in public administration. It also means that we consistently identify and track the knowledge, skills, and abilities we expect our students to achieve.

Below, you may access our reaccreditation materials. First, we have made our official reaccreditation letter available for 2014. You will also find our 5-year Self-Study Report in support of reaccreditation by the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA) for 2010. We also include our annual reports back to 2013.

The EKU MPA Program makes a report to NASPAA every year which provides information about the program, the success of students -including job placements and graduation rates as we report them to NASPAA. The reports are linked below for you to read. You can find more information about our program in the MPA FAQs. Summary tables for graduation rates and job placement are below.

Mission Statement

The mission of the Master of Public Administration Program at Eastern Kentucky University is to maintain and build upon our tradition of national distinction as an exemplary MPA Program by:

• providing a high quality education for a diverse body of public and nonprofit practitioners and pre-service students in the theories that inform the field of public administration;
• providing the tools and techniques of public service and administrative practice that enhance performance in the public interest through professional expertise, technical skills and ethical behavior; and
• supporting the practice of public administration and its ability to serve the public interest, with emphasis on the local, state and regional level.

Graduate Assistantships, Scholarship & Award Opportunities

Graduate Assistantships

Eastern Kentucky provides a limited number of graduate assistantships to qualified students. Duties may include teaching, laboratory supervision, research or service related to a student's program of study. Assistantship appointments are at the discretion of the hiring departments and subject to approval by the Graduate School. You should contact the hiring departments for availability and details on the positions. Students receiving a graduate assistantship will be notified by the Graduate School.

Scholarship Information

Robert L. Kline Memorial Scholarship

The Robert L. Kline Memorial Scholarship fund was established as a memorial to the late Robert L. Kline (1942-1993) through a generous donation by Mrs. Robert L. Kline and family. Dr. Kline joined the faculty of the Department of Government in 1969, and served as Chair of the department from 1986 until his death. The Scholarship provides continued recognition of Dr. Kline’s service to the Commonwealth, the University and the Department of Government.
The Robert L. Kline Memorial Scholarship award is at least $500.00 per semester, for two semesters. All amounts awarded will be applied directly toward the payment of the award recipient’s tuition or other approved academic expenses at EKU. Renewal is subject to the annual application process. The recipient will be announced on or about March 15 and the money will be available for the following Fall and Spring semesters.

Qualifications:

• Applicants for and recipients of the Robert L. Kline Memorial Scholarship must be enrolled at EKU
• The Recipient must be, and must continue to be enrolled as a part-time or full-time student in one of the degree programs offered by the Department of in Government (Political Science, Paralegal, Public Administration) thoughout the term of the award
• The recipient must be at least a second semester student to apply. Graduate students are eligible if they have taken no more that 21 hours
• The applicant must demonstrate good character, social responsibility and commitment to service to others and promise of high academic achievement

Awards

Awards are determined by the Awards Committee. No application is necessary.

Janet Patton Award

The award honors Dr. Patton's contributions and commitment to the MPA program. This award is given each spring to a recent graduate or graduating student in the MPA program in recognition of outstanding scholarship in public administration, contributions to the MPA program, and high potential for excellence in public service. The award consists of a modest stipend and a certificate of achievement.

PI SIGMA ALPHA

This award honors a Political Science student who has demonstrated high academic achievement and who has contributed to the department through involvement in departmental activities. The award consists of a modest stipend and a certificate of achievement.

Program Outcomes

Cohort Graduation Rates

Job Placement Rates for Graduates

MPA FAQs

What undergraduate degrees are commonly held by MPA students?

Students in the MPA program come from a variety of undergraduate degree programs, for example, recent graduates of the program have undergraduate degrees in criminal justice, health-related fields, economics, social work, political science, English, paralegal programs, and chemistry. Most BA and BS programs provide the critical thinking, writing, and analysis skills emphasized in the program. Our students’ interest in a public service career is more important than any specific undergraduate program. Admission decisions are based on an overall assessment of a student's application and ability to meet admission criteria of the program. For admission to the program, students must meet both the general requirements of the Graduate School and the requirements of the MPA program.

What kind of job will the MPA program prepare me for?

MPA alumni are working in federal government agencies, in state agencies, and in regional and local government and nonprofit organizations. Our graduates serve as policy analysts, program managers, budget analysts, researchers, elected officials, program evaluators, grant writers, community and economic development specialists, and government liaison specialists, to name but a few of the many jobs for which the MPA program prepares students.

How long will it take me to complete my degree?

The MPA program is 36 hours and includes 24 hours of core required classes and 12 hours of electives. Full-time students – those who take at least 3 courses each semester – generally finish the program in 2 years.

What skills and knowledge are important for me to be successful in the MPA program?

The MPA is a practitioner-focused degree. Through the core curriculum, students gain experience and knowledge in public management and human resources, public finance, research and policy analysis, program evaluation, and administrative or municipal law. Elective classes allow students to fine tune the skills and knowledge they will need in their chosen subfield. Our students enter the program at varying levels of familiarity with these areas. That is why the MPA faculty takes a hands-on approach to working with students to enhance student success.

What level of academic performance will be expected of me in the MPA Program?

All graduate students at Eastern Kentucky University must maintain a grade point average of 3.0 (B average) on a 4.0 scale to be considered “in good standing”. Students who have a probationary admission status must maintain a 3.0 in their first twelve hours of classes or they will be dismissed from the program. Students with a clear admission status whose GPA falls below a 3.0 will be placed on probation and will have one semester to raise their GPA to 3.0 or above.

Do most MPA students enter the program directly after college?

Our graduate students are about equally divided between pre-service individuals who have little or no work experience, and in-service individuals who are currently working. In the academic year 2008 – 2009, 36% of our enrolled students were in-service students. In 2009 – 2010, 40% of our students were working in public or nonprofit administration.

Are most MPA students enrolled full-time in classes?

Full-time students take at least three courses (9 credit hours) in the fall and spring semesters. In the academic year 2008 – 2009, 61% of our enrolled students were taking classes full-time. In 2009 – 2010, 73% were full-time students. As the MPA program is exclusively offered in a fully online format starting in the Fall of 2020, most students are enrolled part-time in classes. The Fall 2023 Full-Time Equivalency rate was 4.98.

What will the MPA program cost to complete?

The MPA program is 36 hours long. Tuition will be based on a per-credit-hour rate set by the University. The tuition per credit hour can be found here (https://ekuonline.eku.edu/tuition-financial-aid/tuition/).

What kind of financial aid is available to students in the MPA program?

The department typically offers five graduate assistantships a year. These positions are very competitive and are offered to students with outstanding academic records. Graduate Assistants earn a stipend of $5,425 per semester, and also receive a tuition waiver of six credit hours per semester (fall and spring semesters only -- we don't offer GA positions that extend into the summer semester). Once students are selected as a GA, they are eligible to keep the position for two years. This brings the total value of the GA position to $31,252 for in-state students and $40,828 for out of state students, over two years. Loans are available through the Federal Perkins Student Loan and Federal Stafford Student Loan Programs. Contact the EKU Office of Financial Aid for more information.

How are MPA classes delivered?

The MPA is delivered in a fully online format.

How do I find an internship?

Students are encouraged to consider their long-term career goals when considering an internship placement. For example, a student interested in working for a non-profit organization may find it helpful to intern at such an organization. EKU has an Office of Academic and Career Services (https://oacs.eku.edu/). Students may seek information on internship opportunities through that office. Students are also encouraged to look at agencies or organizations in their communities for internship opportunities.

How many hours do I work for the internship?

Students are expected to work a minimum of 300 hours (400 hours preferred) during the semester of the internship. During the fall or spring semesters, that occurs over the 16-week term. During the summer semester, that happens over the 12-week term. 

What are some examples of internship placements?

Our students interned at various organizations (public and nonprofit) and various levels of government in the states. During the 2023-24 school year, our MPA students interned at the following places: Women Helping Women (OH), Purdue Global (IN), Unity Allies (KY), Brushy Fork Leadership Institute (KY), City of Reading (OH), Nicholasville Police Department (KY), Montgomery County Fire & EMS (KY), City of Taylor Mill (KY), Morgan Township Fire Department (OH), etc. For the complete list of internship placements, contact the MPA Director, Dr. Jeongwoo Kim (Jeongwoo.Kim@eku.edu).

Accreditation Maintenance Reports

2022-2023

2021-2022

2020-2021

2019-2020

2018-2019

2017-2018