Overview

The Public Administration programme at University of South Florida provides a comprehensive professional education designed to prepare students for significant leadership roles within public service. This master degree focuses on developing applied managerial skills and analytical decision-making capabilities to address complex governance and policy challenges in the real world.

Why Public Administration at University of South Florida?

Since 1977, the university has established a strong reputation for training professionals for the public and nonprofit sectors. Students benefit from an intimate learning environment with class sizes ranging from 10 to 25 individuals, ensuring personalised attention and dedicated one-on-one advising. The curriculum is specifically designed to accommodate working professionals, with most sessions held during the evenings on the Tampa campus.

The programme emphasises practical engagement through applied class projects and a robust mentorship scheme that pairs students with senior administrators from the region. Furthermore, the university maintains strong ties with local government bodies and nonprofit agencies, providing a rich network for professional growth and community involvement.

Tuition Fee Breakdown

International fee: USD 16666 per year
National fee: USD 16666 per year
Local fee: USD 7840 per year

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

Syllabus

The curriculum is structured to provide a balance of theoretical knowledge and practical application. Modules may include:

Applied Managerial Skills
Analytical Decision-Making
Governance and Policy Issues
Public Service Ethics
Community Engagement
Accountability and Responsibility
Public Affairs

Careers with Public Administration

Graduates are well-equipped to pursue diverse career paths across local, state, and federal government agencies. The programme also prepares individuals for leadership positions within nonprofit organisations and special service districts. Many students find successful employment within one year of graduation, moving into roles that require high levels of administrative expertise and public accountability.

The degree serves as a strong foundation for further academic pursuits, including doctoral studies in public administration or public policy. Recent graduates have secured placements and roles within various county administrations, municipal governments, and healthcare institutions such as the James A. Haley Veterans' Hospital. The practical experience gained through the internship programme often acts as a direct pathway to permanent employment in the sector.

Programme Structure

Courses include:

Research Methods in Public Administration

Public Administration Theory

Organization Theory and Leadership

Public Budgeting

Political Economy for Public Managers

Policy Design and Implementation

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 24 months
Part-time
- 36 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2027-01-11 00:00:00
- Apply before 2026-10-15 00:00:00
Starting 2027-05-17 00:00:00
- Apply before 2027-02-15 00:00:00
Starting 2027-08-24 00:00:00
- Apply before 2027-06-01 00:00:00

Language

English

Duolingo English Test

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TOEFL^® IBT

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PTE Academic

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IELTS

6.5

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Credits

36 SCH

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

Tampa, United States

Disciplines

Public Administration View 595 other Masters in Public Administration in United States

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Academic requirements

GPA

GRE^®

153 _(verbal)

146 _{(quantitative)}

4 _(analytical)

English requirements

Duolingo English Test

110

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

A bachelor's degree
A minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale
Two letters of recommendation minimum
Personal statement detailing the applicant’s career goals and aspirations
Resume or curiculum vitae showing work experience
GRE scores
English language proficiency

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

16666 USD / year

≈ 16666 USD / year
Out-of-State

16666 USD / year

≈ 16666 USD / year
Domestic

Applies to you

In-State

7840 USD / year

≈ 7840 USD / year

Living costs

Tampa

United States

1122 - 1951 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

Tampa

Financing

Funding

Need help with your student visa?

Scholarships Information

Available Scholarships

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