Master of Business Administration in Public Administration
Lead Organizations. Serve Communities. Navigate Public Challenges.
Public and nonprofit organizations face complex challenges that require leaders who understand both effective management and the unique responsibilities of public service. From managing budgets and implementing policy to communicating during crises and planning for community needs, today's public-sector leaders must balance organizational performance with accountability and public impact.
Waldorf University's online Master of Business Administration in Public Administration combines advanced business education with specialized study in public administration, policy, finance, ethics, crisis communication, and local government planning.
Designed for professionals working in—or seeking to advance within—government, nonprofit, public safety, and other public-serving organizations, the program develops business and leadership capabilities that can be applied across a wide range of public and nonprofit settings.
Designed for Public-Service Professionals
Waldorf University's online MBA in Public Administration is designed for professionals seeking greater responsibility in organizations that serve communities and the public. The flexible online format allows students to continue working while developing business and public administration knowledge they can apply in their careers.
Program Highlights
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100% online format
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Flexible scheduling for working professionals
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36-credit curriculum
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Public Administration concentration
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Business foundation combined with specialized public-sector study
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No campus residency requirements
Why Pursue an MBA in Public Administration?
Leading a public or nonprofit organization requires many of the same business capabilities needed in the private sector—but within an environment shaped by public policy, accountability, budgeting requirements, community needs, and multiple stakeholders.
An MBA in Public Administration brings business management and public-sector leadership together. Students develop an advanced foundation in accounting, human resources, information systems, marketing, research, economics, and finance while building specialized knowledge in public policy, public finance and budgeting, ethics, crisis communication, and local government planning.
Students may pursue this degree to:
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Prepare for greater management and leadership responsibility
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Strengthen financial and budgeting expertise
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Better understand the development and implementation of public policy
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Navigate ethical and accountability challenges
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Communicate effectively during crises and periods of change
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Strengthen planning and decision-making within public-serving organizations
For professionals who want to combine business expertise with a commitment to public service, the MBA in Public Administration provides a broader perspective for leading organizations, managing resources, and serving communities.
MBA in Public Administration vs. MPA: What's the Difference?
Both an MBA in Public Administration and a Master of Public Administration (MPA) can prepare professionals for leadership in government, nonprofit, and public-serving organizations, but they approach that preparation differently. An MPA typically centers on public administration, governance, and policy, while an MBA in Public Administration combines public administration study with a broader graduate business foundation.
At Waldorf University, students complete 21 credits of core MBA coursework in areas including accounting, human resources, information systems, marketing, economics, research, and finance, along with 15 credits of specialized Public Administration coursework in public policy, public finance and budgeting, ethics, crisis communication, and local government planning.
MBA in Public Administration |
Traditional MPA |
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Combines graduate business education with public administration |
Centers graduate study on public administration and public service |
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Builds knowledge across finance, HR, marketing, economics, technology, and management |
Typically emphasizes governance, policy, public management, and administration |
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Provides specialized study in public policy, budgeting, ethics, crisis communication, and local government planning |
Typically provides deeper concentration across public-sector policy and administrative disciplines |
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May appeal to professionals seeking skills applicable across public, nonprofit, and private-sector organizations |
May appeal to professionals focused primarily on government, public policy, and public-service careers |
For professionals who want to combine public-service expertise with a broad understanding of how organizations operate, Waldorf's MBA in Public Administration offers the advantages of an MBA with focused preparation for public-sector leadership.
Public Administration in a Changing Environment
Public organizations are navigating significant workforce transitions while adapting to new technologies, evolving service expectations, fiscal pressures, and increasingly complex community needs. Meeting these challenges requires professionals who can understand public policy while also managing people, resources, organizations, and change.
Research from MissionSquare Research Institute and Deloitte highlights several of the challenges shaping public administration today:
Public-Sector Reality |
What It Means for Organizations |
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54% of state and local government HR managers expected their largest wave of retirements in the next few years |
Public organizations must prepare for workforce transitions while maintaining institutional knowledge and continuity |
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Only 13% reported having a succession-planning process in place |
Developing future leaders and preparing employees for greater responsibility remain important organizational challenges |
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80% of government executives said their organization's digital transformation efforts had not gone far enough |
Public organizations face continued pressure to modernize operations and service delivery |
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75% said digital transformation had led to major changes in their senior leadership team |
Modernization is not simply a technology challenge—it increasingly requires organizational leadership and change management |
Sources: MissionSquare Research Institute, State and Local Government Workforce Survey; Deloitte Center for Government Insights, Government Digital Transformation Strategy.
The Waldorf Difference
The Power of AND
Public-service professionals shouldn't have to choose between developing advanced business expertise and strengthening their ability to serve communities.
Waldorf University's online MBA in Public Administration brings advanced business education and specialized public administration study together in a flexible format designed for working professionals.
Faculty with real-world experience bring practical perspective to the classroom, helping students connect business and public administration concepts with challenges facing organizations and communities.
Manage Resources AND Serve Communities
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Build business expertise AND understand public administration
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Manage resources AND strengthen public impact
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Navigate policy AND lead organizations
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Advance your career AND continue working full-time
YOUR LIFE CONTINUES. YOUR EDUCATION DOES TOO.
Who Should Consider This Program?
Waldorf University's MBA in Public Administration is designed for professionals seeking greater responsibility in government, nonprofit, public safety, community-serving, and other public-sector organizations. It may be valuable for current and aspiring managers, public administrators, government professionals, nonprofit leaders, and professionals working in fields such as emergency management, criminal justice administration, housing, and community development.
For experienced professionals, the combination of advanced business coursework and specialized public administration study can help develop the broader perspective needed to manage resources, influence policy implementation, navigate public-sector challenges, and pursue greater organizational leadership responsibility.
Curriculum Designed for Public-Sector Leadership
Effective public administration requires leaders who can manage organizations and resources while understanding the policy, ethical, financial, and community environments in which public decisions are made.
Waldorf University's MBA curriculum provides a broad business foundation, while the Public Administration concentration focuses on the specialized responsibilities of public-sector leadership.
Students explore crisis communication and leadership, ethics in public administration, public finance and budgeting, public policy, and local government planning—building knowledge across several of the core functions involved in administering public programs and organizations.
This program is available online only.
Master's Degree Requirements
- Completion of 36-credit hour curriculum
- Minimum 3.00 cumulative GPA
- Grade of B or higher in all required courses and professional electives
| Prefix | Number | Course | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACC | 5301 | Management Applications of Accounting | 3 |
| HRM | 5200 | Human Resource Management | 3 |
| MBA | 5401 | Management Information Systems | 3 |
| MBA | 5501 | Advanced Marketing | 3 |
| MBA | 5652 | Research Methods | 3 |
| MBA | 6053 | Economics for Managers | 3 |
| MBA | 6081 | Corporate Finance | 3 |
| Total Major Requirement Credit Hours: | 21 | ||
| Prefix | Number | Course | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| COM | 5360 | Crisis Communication and Leadership | 3 |
| PA | 5302 | Ethics for Public Administration | 3 |
| PA | 5305 | Public Finance and Budgeting | 3 |
| PA | 5306 | Public Policy | 3 |
| PA | 6304 | Local Government Planning | 3 |
| Total Concentration Credit Hours: | 15 | ||
| Total Credit Hours: | 36 | ||
Ready to Expand Your Public-Service Impact?
Develop the business and public administration expertise to take on greater responsibility in organizations that serve communities.
MBA in Public Administration Degree Requirements
Students must complete the 36-credit curriculum with a minimum 3.00 cumulative GPA and earn a B or higher in all required courses and professional electives.
For complete admission requirements and application details, request information or speak with an admissions representative.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Waldorf University's MBA in Public Administration fully online?
Yes. Waldorf University's MBA in Public Administration is offered 100% online.
How many credits are required?
The program consists of 36 total credit hours, including 21 credits of core MBA coursework and 15 credits of Public Administration concentration coursework.
What will I study in the Public Administration concentration?
The concentration includes coursework in crisis communication and leadership, ethics for public administration, public finance and budgeting, public policy, and local government planning.
What's the difference between an MBA in Public Administration and a general MBA?
A general MBA develops broad business expertise across areas such as finance, marketing, economics, human resources, and information systems. Waldorf's Public Administration concentration adds specialized coursework focused on policy, public finance, ethics, crisis communication, and government planning.
Do I need to currently work in government?
No. The program may be appropriate for professionals already working in government or public-serving organizations as well as those seeking to transition into public administration or related fields.
What career areas can an MBA in Public Administration support?
Depending on professional experience and other qualifications, graduates may pursue opportunities in public administration, government management, nonprofit leadership, public finance and budgeting, community development, emergency management, criminal justice administration, housing, and related public-serving fields.
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