Overview

The M.P.A. in Public Administration at the University of South Carolina provides students with the essential skills required to lead effectively within government agencies and non-profit organisations. This accredited programme focuses on the rigorous study of policymaking and administrative theory to prepare graduates for high-level public service roles. Students benefit from a curriculum that balances academic scholarship with practical, hands-on experience in a professional setting.

Why Public Administration at University of South Carolina?

The programme is fully accredited by the National Association of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration, ensuring a high standard of professional education. Located just minutes from the seat of state government, the university offers unrivalled access to government agencies for networking and practical learning. Students can also choose to specialise their degree with a highly marketable concentration in emergency management and planning.

The university boasts a strong track record for graduate outcomes, with a job placement rate that typically exceeds 90 per cent. For those seeking broader expertise, joint degree options are available in fields such as law, social work, and public health. Additionally, current undergraduate students at the institution may have the opportunity to pursue an accelerated path toward this master degree.

Tuition Fee Breakdown

International fee: USD 14880 per semester
National fee: USD 14880 per semester
Local fee: USD 6867 per semester

Visit the Fees and Funding section for a breakdown in your local currency.

Syllabus

The curriculum is designed to build core competencies in management and policy evaluation. Modules may include:

Organizational Theory and Practice
Human Resource Management
Public Finance
Public Policymaking
Public Data Analysis
Public Ethics and Accountability

Careers with Public Administration

Graduates are prepared for diverse leadership and analytical roles across various sectors. The programme equips students with the expertise needed for careers in government, the military, and non-profit organisations. Many alumni find success in the private business sector or within political and legal environments.

Common professional roles for graduates include:

Public Administrator
Policy or Budget Analyst
Project Manager
Outreach Coordinator
Researcher
Politician

Programme Structure

Courses include:

Internship
Capstone Seminar
Electives
Core Courses
Public Affairs
Economics

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 24 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2026-08-18 00:00:00
- Apply before 2026-07-01 00:00:00
Starting 2027-01-11 00:00:00
- Apply before 2026-12-15 00:00:00

Language

English

Duolingo English Test

120

Take A Free Practice Test!

TOEFL^® IBT

Schedule TOEFL®

PTE Academic

Schedule a PTE test!

IELTS

6.5

Prepare for Your English Test

Cathoven AI IELTS Preparation

Learn your IELTS Score

AI-powered IELTS feedback. Clear, actionable, and tailored to boost your writing & speaking score. No credit card or upfront payment required.

Trusted by 300k learners
98 accuracy using real exam data
4.9/5 student rating

Credits

39 SCH

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

Columbia, United States

Disciplines

Public Administration View 593 other Masters in Public Administration in United States

Join for free or log in to access our complete career info list.

Academic requirements

GPA

GRE^®

Required

English requirements

Duolingo English Test

120

Take A Free Practice Test!

TOEFL^® IBT

Schedule TOEFL®

PTE Academic

Schedule a PTE test!

IELTS

6.5

Prepare for Your English Test

Cathoven AI IELTS Preparation

Learn your IELTS Score

AI-powered IELTS feedback. Clear, actionable, and tailored to boost your writing & speaking score. No credit card or upfront payment required.

Trusted by 300k learners
98 accuracy using real exam data
4.9/5 student rating

Other requirements

General requirements

Official Transcripts
Official GRE Score
2 Letters of Recommendation
Curriculum Vitae/Resume
Personal Statement

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are shown in and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.

International Applies to you

Applies to you

Non-residents

29760 USD / year

≈ 29760 USD / year
Out-of-State

29760 USD / year

≈ 29760 USD / year
Domestic

Applies to you

In-State

13734 USD / year

≈ 13734 USD / year

Living costs

Columbia

United States

999 - 1508 USD / month

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Financing

Interested in financing your studies? Find a student loan that works for you.

MPOWER Financing No cosigner. No collateral. No hidden fees.

Check your Eligibility

Get the funding you need to study in the U.S. or Canada - with a process that's fast, simple, and built for international students.

Flexible loans from US$2,001 to US$100,000
Fixed interest rates -- no inflation surprises
No upfront fees or prepayment penalties
Accepted at 500+ universities across the U.S. & Canada
100% online application -- instant conditional offer
Free visa & career support through our Path2Success program

Funding

Win a €10000 Scholarship! Deadline: 30 June 2020

Embark on your journey with the Studyportals Scholarship! We're giving away a total of 20,000 euros to help you achieve your dream of studying abroad.

Win a €10000 Scholarship! Deadline: 30 June 2020

Embark on your journey with the Studyportals Scholarship! We're giving away a total of 20,000 euros to help you achieve your dream of studying abroad.

Need help with your student visa?

Get Visa Support

Get personalized guidance from a certified VFS Global advisor and save 20% through Studyportals.

Avoid common visa mistakes and delays
Know exactly what documents you need
Get a clear checklist tailored to your situation

In order for us to give you accurate scholarship information, we ask that you please confirm a few details and create an account with us.

Scholarships Information

Below you will find Master's scholarship opportunities for Public Administration.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

On this page

About

Overview

Programme Structure

Key information

Duration

Start dates & application deadlines

Language

Prepare for Your English Test

Credits

Delivered

Campus Location

Disciplines

What students do after studying

Academic requirements

English requirements

Prepare for Your English Test

Other requirements

General requirements

Tuition Fees

International Applies to you

Domestic

Living costs

Columbia

Financing

Funding

Need help with your student visa?

Scholarships Information

Available Scholarships

Our partners