Overview

The Public Administration programme at the University of Massachusetts Lowell is a comprehensive professional degree designed to prepare students for leadership roles within the public and non-profit sectors. This interdisciplinary curriculum focuses on solving complex societal challenges through advanced training in public policy, financial management, and organisational behaviour.

Students benefit from a highly flexible learning environment that caters to both aspiring professionals and current public servants. The programme is delivered entirely online, allowing learners to balance their academic pursuits with professional commitments while engaging with a diverse cohort of peers from various backgrounds.

A defining feature of the course is the capstone experience, which requires students to work within a public or non-profit agency.

Why Public Administration at the University of Massachusetts Lowell?

The University of Massachusetts Lowell offers an interdisciplinary approach that integrates insights from various fields to provide a holistic understanding of governance. The programme is ranked highly for its commitment to student success and provides access to a robust network of alumni and professional partners.

Students have access to dedicated faculty experts and comprehensive support services, including financial aid and scholarships. The institution's focus on practical application ensures that the curriculum remains relevant to the evolving needs of modern public administration and community leadership.

Tuition Fee Breakdown

International fee: USD 28398 per year
National fee: USD 28398 per year
Local fee: USD 16186 per year

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

Syllabus

Modules may include:

Required Courses

Public & Non Profit Budgeting and Financial Management
Public & Non Profit Management & Leadership
Data Analysis
Inferential and Descriptive Statistics

Flexible Core

Public Finance
Health Care Finance
Gender and Administration
Administration of Justice
Managing Justice Organizations
Public and Non-Profit Personnel Management
Communication Strategies for Public and Non-Profit Managers
Research Design
From Data to Practice

General Electives

Social and Behavioral Determinants of Health
Public Health Policy
Leadership and Management in Public Health
Financial Accounting
Violence in America
Strategies of Conflict Transformation

Careers with Public Administration

Graduates of the programme are well-equipped for diverse leadership roles across New England and beyond. Common career paths include serving as city managers, municipal department heads, and state government administrators within various public agencies.

The degree also prepares individuals for impactful roles in the third sector, such as founders of non-profit community organisations or health and human service workers. Many alumni also find success as educators or leaders within arts and cultural organisations.

Programme Structure

Courses offered:

Financial Accounting

Public & Non Profit Budgeting and Financial Management

Public & Non Profit Management and Leadership

Data Analysis

Professional Practicum

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 12 months
Part-time
- 24 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2026-09-04 00:00:00

Apply anytime.
Starting 2027-01-21 00:00:00

Apply anytime.

Language

English

TOEFL^® IBT

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IELTS

6.5

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Credits

39 SCH

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

Lowell, United States

Disciplines

Public Administration View 594 other Masters in Public Administration in United States

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Academic requirements

GPA

GRE^®

Required

English requirements

TOEFL^® IBT

Schedule TOEFL®

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

Submitted online application

Prior study in public administration or other related field

Relevant work experience

Official transcript from previously earned degrees

Official score from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) - waivers may be available for UMass Lowell alumni who graduated in the past five years with a 3.0 GPA or higher and are interested in applying to the MPA program

3 letters of recommendation

Statement of purpose

$50 application fee

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

28398 USD / year

≈ 28398 USD / year
Out-of-State

28398 USD / year

≈ 28398 USD / year
Domestic

Applies to you

In-State

16186 USD / year

≈ 16186 USD / year

Living costs

Lowell

United States

1130 - 2341 USD / month

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

Financing

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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.

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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

Lowell

Financing

Funding

Need help with your student visa?

Scholarships Information

Available Scholarships

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