Public Administration

Savannah, GA

Request Information

Degree Overview

Master of Public Administration

South University Savannah’s Master of Public Administration program can equip you with the organizational and managerial experience needed to become a leader in local, state, and national government entities and nonprofit organizations. The MPA curriculum is developed with a range of disciplines in mind to provide both foundational and specialized information of value to anyone pursuing a career in public administration. Beyond exploring the structure of political, social, and institutional systems, the program will cover topics like data analysis, budgeting, ethical decision-making, fundraising, HR and volunteer management, and leadership – all within the context of helping public and nonprofit organizations to maximize their impact and achieve their goals.
Offered in our new Online + On Campus learning format gives you the opportunity to learn alongside your peers while also still having the capacity to meet the demands you face as a professional. The first week of the quarter is spent in the classroom, getting to know classmates and faculty, followed by an alternating schedule of one week online and one week on campus.

REQUEST INFO

Admission Requirements

Admissions criteria for the Master of Public Administration (MPA)

Graduate Admissions - Masters level

Prospective students are required to submit the following:

Completion of application for admission
Official transcripts for bachelor or graduate degree within 5 weeks of the class start date (refer to Conditional Acceptance). (All credentials earned outside the United States must be evaluated by a NACES or AICE-member credential evaluation service). Please speak with an admissions representative for more information.

Note: See program notes and specific requirements below for each graduate - masters level degree program

Specific requirements for admission to classified graduate status are:

A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.
Completion of application for admission.
A 2.0 overall grade point average or higher on completed requirements for the baccalaureate degree, or an earned graduate degree from an accredited institution.

For additional admissions information please see the admissions section here.

REQUEST INFO

Course Requirements

Master of Public Administration: 48 Credits

Core: 44 Credits

MBA6501 Strategic Human Resources Management 4.0 Credit Hours

MPA5001 Foundations of Public Administration 4.0 Credit Hours

MPA5005 Public and Non-profit Organizational Behavior 4.0 Credit Hours

MPA5010 Public and Non-profit Budgeting and Accounting 4.0 Credit Hours

MPA6001 Research and Data Analysis in Public Administration 4.0 Credit Hours

MPA6100 Non-profit Fundraising and Volunteer Development 4.0 Credit Hours

MPA6105 Grant Writing and Contract Administration 4.0 Credit Hours

MPA6110 Management of Non-profit Organizations 4.0 Credit Hours

MPA6115 Program Evaluation of Public and Non-profit Organizations 4.0 Credit Hours

MPA6501 State and Local Government and Intergovernmental Relations 4.0 Credit Hours

MPA6505 Legislative and Judicial Process 4.0 Credit Hours

Capstone: 4 Credits

MPA6999 Strategic Challenges in Public Administration 4.0 Credit Hours

REQUEST INFO

Outcomes

Offered at Columbia, Online Programs, Savannah, and Virginia Beach.

Note: Not all Online Program offerings are available to residents of all U.S. states. Please contact an admissions representative for further information.

The Master of Public Administration degree program at South University is designed to address the needs of students for applied coursework in areas of critical importance to local, state, and national governmental and non-profit organizations. The program covers a broad range of governmental and nonprofit topics to help develop each student's knowledge, skills, and abilities. This degree program integrates knowledge from other areas to provide a combination of general and specialized information in a multi-disciplinary approach.

REQUEST INFO

Career Outlook

These are some of the career options* you can explore when you have earned your degree:

City/County Supervisor/Manager
General and Operations Managers
Policy or Legislative Supervisor/Manager
General Managers

_{*South University does not promise or guarantee licensure, employment, or salary amounts.}

REQUEST INFO

What's New

Latest News and Blogs

two male and one female healthcare worker discussing paperwork in a hospital hall

Nov 06, 2024

A Day in the Life of an Ambulatory Pharmacist

Journey through a day in the life of an Ambulatory Pharmacist and how they help their patients.

Jun 13, 2024

New Student Group Committed to Advancing Pediatric Pharmacy

A new student chapter of the Pediatric Pharmacy Association (PPA), known as the PediRays, is getting started at the Savannah campus.

pharmacist prepping prescriptions at a pharmacy

Mar 08, 2023

3 Reasons to Choose a Pharmacy Career

two healthcare workers, a male in scrub and a female in a white coat , both wearing stethescopes discussing a chart

Aug 27, 2025

Alumni Spotlight: Building an FNP Career

Amanda Wilburn completed her MSN with a specialization in Family Nurse Practitioner in 2024 and now uses her knowledge as part of her work.

bearded man holding a backpack and book standing in front of a building

Aug 26, 2025

How to Know if It’s Time for a Career Change

If you're thinking of changing careers, here are some tips to see if the time is right to make a switch.

brown-haired healthcare personel in blue scrubs sitting at a desk studying the computer

Aug 20, 2025

Alumni Spotlight: From RN to Family Nurse Practitioner

Antonia Alonso Fajardo now works as an RN case manager after earning her degree from South University.

Request Information

Fill out the form and a representative will contact you today to better understand your academic goals plus answer any questions you may have.

Campuses offer flexible learning formats* including: on-campus, virtual instructions, and online courses.

*Clinical, practicum, and externship requirements exist in certain programs and require field experiences. Learning formats may not be flexible.

Your Location of Interest

Your Program of Interest

First Name First Name

Last Name Last Name

Your Email Address Your Email Address

Telephone (XXX-XXX-XXXX) Telephone (XXX-XXX-XXXX)

Address Address

City City

Zip Code Zip Code

State

High School Grad Year

Country of Citizenship

How did you hear about us

Student Visa?

Yes No

By clicking the button below as my official signature, I consent to representatives of South University contacting me about EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES via email, text or phone including my mobile phone if provided above, using an automatic dialer. I understand that my consent is not a requirement for purchase. Message and data rates may apply. I understand that I may withdraw my consent at any time. I understand that if I am submitting my personal data from outside of the United States, I consent to the transfer of my personal data to, and its storage in, the United States, and I understand that my personal data will be subject to processing in accordance with U.S. laws.

Province

Success! Your request was submitted. We'll be in touch soon!

In the meantime, you can view some of our FAQs.

If you want to talk to an admissions representative ASAP, please contact us at 1-888-444-3404.

Success Stories

Outstanding Education for Remarkable Careers

We're committed to helping our graduates make impact in their professional and personal lives. We applaud our nursing alumni and the difference they make. Check out what some of our graduates have to say.

Elisabeth Jackman-Knights

Class of '15

Bachelor of Business Administration-South University, Online Programs

“They (SU Instructors) would keep me on track with what classes I had upcoming and help prepare me for what to expect in the class. They would try to understand my life outside of school and make suggestions of how best to navigate the program to ensure that I was at all times poised mentally to endure the class at hand.”

Shirrelle Everett

Class of '15

Bachelor of Science in Nursing-South University, Richmond

“It took me almost ten years to realize that without an education I would be stuck working for minimum wage at dead-end jobs, I was a single mother of two children living on welfare. South University allowed me to gain the knowledge and skills needed to advance my career at my own pace. My education has enabled me to take care of my family.”

Tonya Hampton

Class of '13

Bachelor of Business Administration-South University, Online Programs

“I love being a leader. South University helped me reach my full potential in management skills. The faculty and staff always went out of their way to make sure that the University had a positive impact on its students.”

Erika Wiggins

Class of '11

Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Management-South University, Savannah

“I'm recognizing more about what I'm really capable of at South University. When you have education, you have a foundation, and you have something that will propel you to growth and strength in the world.”

Kerry L. Salinas

Class of '10

Bachelor of Science in Legal Studies-South University, Columbia

“South University offered the program I wanted, along with small classes, convenient scheduling, and easy access to the computer labs and library. It's clear that this school is in touch with the needs of working students.”