Get Started on Your Graduate Degree Online Today!

The Department of Political Science and Public Administration offers the Master of Public Policy and Administration (MPPA) degree in an entirely online format. Students admitted to the Online MPPA program will complete the entire program online. The Online MPPA program modality delivers courses in a synchronous format, meaning that while courses are online/virtual they are conducted at the same time each week via WebEx, Zoom, or other similar video conferencing platforms.

Students admitted to the Online MPPA program are not permitted to switch between the online and face-to-face program formats and must remain online students through the duration of their degree program.

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Tuition & Fees

Tuition per credit hour $558.50
Instructional Support Fee per credit hour $25.00

Tuition and fees listed are subject to change and do not include all possible charges. Additional fees may apply. Please refer to the master class schedule for individual course charges.

The MPPA degree program has a favorable faculty-to-student ratio that permits students to have close contact with faculty. The 6 member program faculty maintains a broad research agenda, and several faculty possess governmental service experience. We enroll approximately 35-50 students from all regions of Mississippi as well as from many other states. The MPPA program is accredited by the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA). As our Mission states, the Master of Public Policy and Administration program strives to professionalize and diversify state and local government in Mississippi and the region. The program prepares persons to serve effectively as public administrators at the national, state and local levels of government. Online MPPA classes typically meet Monday-Thursday evenings from 6-8:50 pm (CST)

After completing the NASPAA accredited MPPA program at Mississippi State University students will demonstrate competency in the following areas:

  • To lead and manage in the public interest
  • To participate in, and contribute to, the policy process
  • To analyze, synthesize, think critically, solve problems and make evidence-informed decisions in a complex and dynamic environment
  • To articulate, apply, and advance a public service perspective
  • To communicate and interact productively and in culturally responsive ways with a diverse and changing workforce and society at large
 

What are some potential careers?

 

Program Structure

Core Courses - 27 hours

These are courses that provide broad training in public policy and administration. These courses cover the fundamental competencies essential for professional practice in the field of public policy and administration.

Elective Courses - 12 hours

Each student must complete a 12-hour elective concentration to augment knowledge, skills and abilities acquired in required courses. These courses are tailored to the student's career objective.

Internship — 3 hours

Each student completes an internship in a public or nonprofit agency. The internship is waived for students possessing at least one year of relevant work experience in the public or non-profit sector.

Internship Requirements

Core Courses
Course Code Course Name Credit Hours
PPA 8103 Seminar in Public Administration 3
PPA 8703 Government Organization and Administrative Theory 3
PPA 8713 Public Personnel Management 3
PPA 8723 Public Budgeting and Financial Management 3
PPA 8733 Public Program Evaluation 3
PPA 8743 Administrative Law 3
PPA 8803 Research Methods for Public Affairs 3
PPA 8903 Public Policy 3
PPA 8983 Integrative Capstone 3
  Elective Courses 12
  Internship 3
 
  Total Hours 42

A student in the MPPA program will be dismissed if he or she receives grades of C or lower in six or more credits of graduate work.

Admissions Process

Students seeking full admission into this program should apply as a classified student. Non-degree seeking students wishing to take classes offered through the online program should apply as an Unclassified student.

Applications for the degree programs are reviewed three times a year. The application deadlines for those semesters are as follows:

  • Fall Semester – August 1
  • Spring Semester – December 1
  • Summer Semester – May 15

An applicant for admission to graduate study must hold a bachelor's degree from a fully recognized four-year educational institution that has unconditional accreditation with appropriate regional accrediting agencies. They must meet the admission requirements of the Graduate School and the Master of Public Policy and Administration program.

A competitive applicant of the MPPA program must have completed the last two years of undergraduate work with a grade point average of 3.00. Applicants with previous graduate work must have a grade point average of 3.00 on such coursework.


Attention International Students

An international applicant whose native language is not English must have a score of 600 PBT (243 CBT or 96 iBT) or better on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or 7.5 on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Detailed information regarding international applications can be found in the Graduate Catalog. Questions regarding international applications can be addressed to the Office of the Graduate School at gradapps@grad.msstate.edu.

  • ETS is providing home testing for the TOEFL iBT test, and MSU is encouraging students to take advantage of this testing option. For those students applying who have taken the TOEFL within five years of the semester they plan to enroll and are unable to access the TOEFL iBT test from home, we will accept your previous test scores.

Admission Options

Domestic/International Classified Admissions

  1. Submit online application. You will choose Master of Public Policy and Administration as your Program of Study and Online Education as your campus.
  2. Statement of Purpose
  3. Three letters of recommendation
    • You will be asked to submit three names and three email addresses of individuals you are using as references. Once you click submit, these individuals will be sent an email from MSU, which will provide a link to an online form for completing their recommendations.
  4. TOEFL or IELTS scores are required for international students.
  5. One official transcript showing bachelor’s degree or progress toward degree. (For international students, please submit a copy in native language along with translated copies, if appropriate.)
  6. One official transcript showing ALL work after bachelor’s degree. (For international students, please submit a copy in native language along with translated copies, if appropriate.)
    • Electronic transcripts should be sent to: gradapps@grad.msstate.edu Mississippi State University, Graduate School. Only one copy of an electronic transcript is required.
    • Paper Transcripts Address (USPS):
      Mississippi State University
      The Office of the Graduate School
      P.O. Box G
      Mississippi State, MS 39762
    • Physical Street Address (for DHL, Fed Ex, UPS, DHS, etc.):
      Mississippi State University
      The Office of the Graduate School
      175 President Circle
      116 Allen Hall
      Mississippi State, MS 39762
  7. Payment of $60 non-refundable application processing fee for domestic students.
    Payment of $80 non-refundable application processing fee for international students.
  8. Once you are admitted, you will receive an email with complete instructions on registering for classes and contacting your advisor.

Academic Advising

After gaining admission to the university, you must contact your advisor to determine the courses that are most appropriate for you to take. Approximately two months prior to the upcoming semester, your advisor will send an email to your MSU email account, making course recommendations based on your program of study.

Mississippi State University uses email as its official means of communication with all MSU students. Please check your MSU email account (NetID@msstate.edu) daily. Information on setting up your MSU email can be found at the link for student services.

Dragan Stanisevski Headshot

Dr. Dragan Stanisevski

Department of Political Science and Public Administration

  • Associate Professor

Contact Information

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Samantha Clardy

Enrollment & Onboarding Coach

  • General Program Questions
  • Assistance with Admissions Process & Requirements
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Joy Bailey

Retention & Engagement Coach

  • Current Student Inquires
  • Academic & Support Services Assistance
Dragan Stanisevski Headshot

Dr. Dragan Stanisevski

Department of Politcal Science and Public Administration

  • Associate Professor