Master of Public Administration, Executive Track

The Executive Track is designed for individuals with a minimum of three years of relevant work experience in the public (civil or military) sector, nonprofit organization, or closely related position.  This cohort-based lock-step track is offered fully online with courses delivered in an abbreviated format.  The Executive Track admits cohorts annually each spring, with the entire program taking 18 months to complete.

In the Executive Track, concentration courses have been carefully selected to expose students to a range of cutting-edge skills and ideas spanning public and nonprofit management.

Benefits of the MPA Executive Track:

• Curriculum that provides ‘real world’ knowledge and experience
• Full online and accredited
• Cohort-based, accelerated program
• Dedicated MPA faculty and staff committed to student success
• No thesis or comprehensive examination
• Large network of Georgia Southern MPA alumni

Georgia Southern’s Master of Public Administration program is recognized as one of the top graduate programs at the University and one of the best and most affordable MPA programs in Georgia.*

*Ranked No. 2 in Affordable Colleges in Georgia 2021 by College Affordability Guide, No. 4 for 2020 Most Affordable Online Public Administration Degrees by OnlineU. Ranked No. 4 in Georgia for the MPA program in the 2020 Best Public Administration Colleges in Georgia.

Admission to the MPA program is competitive.  While all students are welcome to apply to the Hybrid Track, note that we do not accept international students to the Executive Track.  To apply, applicants must have:

1. Undergraduate degree from an accredited institution, with a minimum 2.75 (4.0 scale) cumulative grade point average.
2. Resume detailing relevant work and volunteer experience.
3. Essay describing applicant’s career goals and objectives, as well as potential for success in the program.
4. Executive Track applicants must have a minimum of three years of relevant work experience in the public (civil or military) sector, nonprofit organization, or closely related position.
5. TOEFL or IELTS scores (if applicant does not hold a degree from a program or university where English is the official language of instruction).

In addition to the above admission standards, international students should visit the College of Graduate Studies for eligibility requirements, as well as for information on out-of-country tuition waivers. International prospective students should also visit the Office of International Programs and Services for information on I-20/DS-2019 visa requests. Note that international students may only be admitted to the Hybrid Track.

International transcripts must be evaluated by a NACES accredited evaluation service and must be a course by course evaluation and include a GPA. Please note that the Department of Public and Nonprofit Studies is not able to waive the application fee or pay for international transcript evaluation.

Not all programs are available to residents in all states. Please check the institution's State Authorization and Professional Licensure website(s) to ensure you reside in an authorized state.

National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration