Welcome! One of the top-rated public affairs programs in the country, KU’s Department of Public Administration offers degrees at the master’s (MPA), doctoral (PhD) and undergraduate levels. Though our collaboration with the Public Management Center, we offer a Certified Public Manager (CPM) Program.

The master’s of Public Administration (MPA) combines an established tradition of academic excellence with dedication to the practical aspects of public management. This degree educates students to play leadership and management roles in the public sector, especially at the state and local levels, in order to strengthen the provision of public services in society.

The PhD in Public Administration builds on the Department’s tradition of excellence to train, mentor, and place future academic and research leaders in public administration and related fields. Our doctorate provides advanced education in the field by fostering an environment of challenging intellectual discussion, encouraging participation in active, ongoing faculty-led and student-led research, and providing mentoring in scholarly development and teaching skills.

The undergraduate major in Public Administration offered at KU’s Edwards Campus in Overland Park is designed for students who have earned an associate's degree or equivalent hours and are looking to complete their bachelor's degree. Graduates will be prepared to work in settings such as local and state government, nonprofit organizations and private sector businesses.

The Certified Public Manager Program is a nationally accredited comprehensive management development program designed specifically for managers in federal, state and local government. Offered through the Public Management Center, a unit of KU’s Division of Continuing Education, the Program’s primary goal is to improve the performance of public sector managers and the organizational performance of local, state and federal government.