Master of Public Administration

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Overview

Getting your MPA at Widener means acquiring effective leadership and managerial skills to advance public service and your career. Build your competencies, confidence and community connections alongside expert faculty and industry professionals. The program focuses on practical skills development for improved work performance tomorrow and in the future, with a special emphasis on improved understanding of the dynamics of modern public and nonprofit organization work environments.

Widener MPA courses are offered via a live online format. No need to travel to campus. Participating students will join classmates and instructors online for live sessions scheduled during weekday evenings. The program features a diverse enrollment representing a variety of age groups, occupations and educational backgrounds.

Admissions

An applicant for admission to the Master of Public Administration program must have earned a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university. Applicants with GPAs below 3.0 or limited academic course work in related fields may be admitted on a probationary basis if they provide sufficient evidence to demonstrate competence to perform graduate-level work. Probationary students must achieve a GPA of 3.0 or better in their first six credit hours of course work to continue in the program. Candidates are considered for admission after submitting:

• A completed application form.
• The nonrefundable application fee ($25).
• Two letters of recommendation. One of these letters must be from someone who is familiar with the applicant’s ability to undertake graduate-level academic work, such as a former professor. If no such person is available to make an evaluation, such as for students who completed their undergraduate work more than four years prior to the application date, the applicant must submit a third letter of recommendation.
• Transcripts from all previously attended institutions.
• A one-page statement describing reasons and expectations for study in the program.

GRE scores will be considered as part of an application but are not required.

All inquiries and submissions should be addressed to:

Director
Master of Public Administration
Widener University
One University Place
Chester, PA 19013

International Students

International students should consult the International Student Services web page at www.widener.edu for international graduate student guidelines or contact the Office of International Student Services at Widener University, One University Place, Chester, PA 19013; phone: 610-499-4499.

Transfer Credits

Students accepted for admission to the Master of Public Administration program may transfer a maximum of 6 semester hours of previous graduate course work. To be accepted for transfer credit, graduate course work must be recent (within 5 calendar years); indicate a high degree of scholarship (a grade of A or B); and conform to the curricular philosophy established by the MPA Advisory Committee. When petitioning to have transfer credits applied toward the MPA degree, students must file official transcripts and course descriptions from all relevant graduate institutions.

Programs

• Public Administration, MPA

• Nonprofit Leadership Certificate

• Local Government and Community Change Certificate

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