Best Online Master of Public Administration (MPA) Programs in Indiana

Indiana offers several high-quality options for earning an MPA degree. These programs combine flexible online learning with NASPAA-accredited programs. They prepare students for local government, nonprofit organizations, and private sector leadership roles. By focusing on management skills, program evaluation, and leadership development, MPA graduates are well-equipped to tackle public service challenges.

Indiana Statehouse in Indianapolis, a majestic site dedicated to Public Administration and governance.

2026 Best Online Master's in Public Administration (MPA) in Indiana

If you're looking for the best online Master's in Public Administration (MPA) programs in Indiana, you've come to the right place. PublicAdministrationPolicy.org has done the work for you, ranking these programs to help you make a smart choice. Online programs are great because they let you study from anywhere, fitting your education around your job and life. This distance learning approach makes it easier for busy professionals to advance their careers in public service. For details on how we rank these programs, check out our methodology at https://publicadministrationpolicy.org/methodology/.
#1

Indiana State University

Terre Haute, IN - Public 4-Year - indstate.edu

Master's - Master of Public Administration

Online Learning - Visit Website

Indiana State University's Master of Public Administration (MPA) prepares professionals for dynamic leadership roles in public and nonprofit sectors. With a flexible 36-credit curriculum, students gain comprehensive skills in administration, policy analysis, and organizational management. The program offers specialized concentrations in areas like criminal justice, human resources, public health, and nonprofit management. Designed for mid-career professionals, the program provides evening and online courses, ensuring accessibility for working adults seeking advanced career opportunities.

  • 36-credit graduate program
  • NASPAA member program
  • Multiple concentration options
  • Evening and online courses
  • Capstone research project required
  • Internship for inexperienced students
  • Seven core administrative courses
  • Professional project presentation
  • Elective courses from multiple departments

Master's - Master of Public Administration

Concentration: Criminology and Criminal Justice - Online Learning - Visit Website

Indiana State University's Master of Public Administration (MPA) equips professionals with advanced skills in public sector management. This comprehensive 36-credit program offers flexible learning paths, including online and evening courses. Students gain expertise through core coursework in administrative institutions, organizational behavior, research methods, and budgeting. Unique concentration options in criminology, human resources, public health, and nonprofit management provide specialized career preparation. Designed for mid-career professionals and aspiring public service leaders, the program emphasizes practical skills and theoretical foundations across various governmental and nonprofit sectors.

  • 36-credit graduate program
  • NASPAA member program
  • Multiple concentration options
  • Online and evening courses
  • Capstone research project required
  • 7 core courses mandatory
  • Internship for inexperienced students
  • Concentrations in criminology/justice
  • Public sector management focus
  • Supports nonprofit professionals

Master's - Master of Public Administration

Concentration: Human Resources Development - Online Learning - Visit Website

Indiana State University's Master of Public Administration (MPA) is a comprehensive graduate program designed for professionals seeking advanced skills in public management. With a flexible 36-credit curriculum, students gain expertise in administrative institutions, organizational behavior, research methods, and budgeting. The program offers specialized concentrations in criminology, human resources, public health, and nonprofit management, catering to diverse career goals. Courses are primarily offered during evening hours, with many options available online, making it accessible for working professionals.

  • 36 credits minimum program length
  • Multiple concentration options
  • NASPAA member program
  • Weekday evening classes
  • Online certificate programs available
  • Capstone research project required
  • Optional 3-credit internship
  • Concentrations in public sectors
  • Professional management focus

Master's - Master of Public Administration

Concentration: Public Health - Online Learning - Visit Website

Indiana State University's Master of Public Administration (MPA) is a comprehensive graduate program designed for professionals seeking advanced skills in public sector management. The 36-credit program provides a robust curriculum covering administrative institutions, research methods, organizational behavior, and public personnel management. Tailored for mid-career professionals, it offers flexible online options and specialized concentrations in areas like criminal justice, human resources, public health, and nonprofit management. With evening coursework and online certificate programs, students can balance professional development and academic growth.

  • 36 credit hours minimum
  • NASPAA member program
  • Multiple concentration options
  • Online and evening courses
  • Internship option available
  • Capstone research project required
  • Seven core courses
  • Professional management focus
Show 3 More Programs ˅
#2

Indiana University-South Bend

South Bend, IN - Public 4-Year - iusb.edu

Master's - Master of Public Affairs

Concentration: Government Administration and Policy - Online & Campus Based - Visit Website

Indiana University-South Bend's Master of Public Affairs prepares leaders for impactful careers in government, nonprofit, and healthcare sectors. The rigorous 39-credit program offers specialized concentrations and can be completed in two years, with flexible evening and online classes. Accredited by NASPAA, this affordable graduate degree equips students with critical analytical skills, professional networking opportunities, and practical experience through internships and capstone projects.

  • Accredited NASPAA graduate program
  • Flexible evening and online class options
  • Professional work experience credit available

Master's - Master of Public Affairs

Concentration: Nonprofit Administration - Online & Campus Based - Visit Website

Indiana University-South Bend's Master of Public Affairs is a comprehensive graduate program designed for professionals seeking leadership roles in government, nonprofit, and healthcare sectors. Spanning 39 credit hours, the flexible two-year program accommodates working adults with evening and online classes. NASPAA-accredited, the degree prepares students to analyze complex political, economic, and social issues through rigorous, specialized coursework. Affordable public university tuition and professional development opportunities make this program an attractive option for career advancement.

  • NASPAA-accredited MPA with flexible evening/online classes
  • 39 credit hours with professional concentration options
  • Over 700 graduates working in Michiana region

Master's - Master of Public Affairs

Concentration: Health System Administration - Online & Campus Based - Visit Website

Indiana University South Bend's Master of Public Affairs prepares dynamic professionals for leadership roles in government, nonprofit, and healthcare sectors. The 39-credit hour program offers flexible evening and online classes, enabling working adults to advance their careers. With a proud 700+ graduate network and NASPAA accreditation, students gain critical analytical skills through rigorous coursework and practical experiences. The program can be completed in two years, with affordable public university tuition and opportunities for professional certificates.

  • NASPAA-accredited graduate degree
  • Flexible evening and online learning options
  • Professional development through practicum
Show 2 More Programs ˅
#3

Ball State University

Muncie, IN - Public 4-Year - bsu.edu

Master's - Master of Public Administration

Concentration: Adult Education - Online & Campus Based - Visit Website

Ball State University's Master of Public Administration (MPA) equips professionals for dynamic careers in government, nonprofit, and public service sectors. The flexible 36-39 credit program offers six interdisciplinary options, enabling students to tailor their educational path to specific career goals. With part-time and full-time options, students can complete the degree in two academic years. Advanced coursework blends practical management skills, policy analysis, and leadership training, preparing graduates for impactful roles across various organizational settings.

  • Six interdisciplinary concentration options
  • Flexible full-time and part-time schedules
  • Hands-on learning through internships

Master's - Master of Public Administration

Concentration: Urban Planning - Online & Campus Based - Visit Website

Ball State University's Master of Public Administration (MPA) prepares professionals for leadership roles in government, nonprofit, and public service sectors. The flexible 36-39 credit program offers six interdisciplinary concentrations, enabling students to customize their academic journey. Full-time students can complete the degree in two years, with evening classes accommodating working professionals. The curriculum blends theoretical knowledge with practical management skills, emphasizing policy analysis, organizational leadership, and public service values.

  • Six interdisciplinary concentration options
  • Flexible full-time and part-time scheduling
  • Hands-on learning through internships

Master's - Master of Public Administration

Concentration: Custom Course of Study - Online & Campus Based - Visit Website

Ball State University's Master of Public Administration (MPA) prepares professionals for dynamic leadership roles in government, nonprofit, and public sectors. The flexible 36-39 credit program offers six interdisciplinary concentrations, enabling students to customize their educational pathway. With evening classes and full-time options, working professionals can advance their careers through comprehensive coursework focused on policy analysis, organizational management, and practical skills. Competitive tuition and graduate assistantships provide accessible pathways to higher education.

  • Six interdisciplinary concentration options available
  • Practical, hands-on learning with internship opportunities
  • Prepares students for diverse public service careers
Show 2 More Programs ˅
#4

Indiana University-Bloomington

Bloomington, IN - Public 4-Year - indiana.edu

Master's - Master of Public Affairs

Concentration: Nonprofit Management - Online & Campus Based - Visit Website

Indiana University's Master of Public Affairs (MPA) at the O'Neill School is a top-ranked, comprehensive graduate program preparing professionals for impactful public service careers. Students can customize their degree through 12 specialized concentrations, ranging from environmental policy to nonprofit management. The program blends rigorous academic training with practical skills, offering experiential learning opportunities and a curriculum that addresses complex societal challenges. Designed for diverse career stages, the MPA provides robust networking, cutting-edge policy analysis tools, and a pathway to leadership roles in government, nonprofit, and public sectors.

  • 12 customizable concentration options.
  • Experiential learning and practical skills focus.

Master's - Master of Public Affairs

Concentration: Public Finance & Budgeting - Online & Campus Based - Visit Website

Indiana University's Master of Public Affairs (MPA) offers a dynamic, top-ranked graduate program designed for aspiring public service professionals. With 12 unique concentrations, students can customize their degree to match career goals across sectors like environmental policy, nonprofit management, and health policy. The program ranks #2 nationally, providing comprehensive training in policy analysis, public management, and leadership. Graduates gain practical skills through experiential learning, capstone projects, and a rigorous curriculum that prepares them to tackle complex societal challenges.

  • Experiential learning and capstone project opportunities
  • Nationally recognized in multiple policy domains
Show 1 More Programs ˅
#5

Valparaiso University

Valparaiso, IN - Private 4-year - valpo.edu

Master's - Master of Public Health

Concentration: epidemiology - Online & Campus Based - Visit Website

Valparaiso University's Master of Public Health (MPH) program prepares students to tackle global health challenges through comprehensive training. The flexible, affordable degree offers an epidemiology concentration with opportunities for on-campus and online learning. Students gain practical skills through experiential service learning, engaging with public health professionals worldwide. The program features interdisciplinary faculty mentorship, advanced coursework in biostatistics, policy, and health factors, preparing graduates for high-demand careers with competitive salaries.

  • Interdisciplinary epidemiology-focused MPH curriculum
  • Global service learning opportunities
  • Flexible online and on-campus formats
*Dataset: National Center for Education Statistics, IPEDS 2023. https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/

Fastest Online MPA Degree Programs in Indiana

Indiana provides accelerated MPA programs for students eager to complete their degrees efficiently. These programs, which are among the quickest available, allow students to advance their careers while maintaining academic excellence.

School NameProgram LengthFormat
Indiana University12 monthsOnline
Ball State University18 monthsHybrid

For additional information, explore Fastest Online Master of Public Administration (MPA) Programs after the table.

Affordable MPA Degree Programs in Indiana

Affordability is a priority for many students, and Indiana’s universities provide cost-effective and cheapest MPA program options, ensuring access to high-quality education.

School NameTuition RangeFormat
Indiana State University$10,000–$15,000Online
Purdue University$12,500Hybrid

See Affordable Online Master of Public Administration (MPA) Programs for more insights after the table.

MPA Admissions Requirements in Indiana

Admissions requirements for Indiana MPA programs generally include:

  • A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
  • A minimum 3.0 GPA.
  • Letters of recommendation (2–3 preferred).
  • A personal statement outlining career goals.
  • GRE scores (optional for some programs).

Indiana University offers rolling admissions, while Ball State University has fixed deadlines. Ensure you check specific program requirements.

MPA Curriculum in Indiana

Indiana MPA programs offer comprehensive coursework designed to prepare students for leadership roles. Common courses include:

  • Public Policy Analysis
  • Leadership and Public Management
  • Financial Management
  • Ethics in Public Administration
  • Program Evaluation
  • Data Analysis and Decision-Making

Students can select elective courses in criminal justice, nonprofit management, and financial management to tailor their education to specific career goals.

Internships and capstone projects with local government or nonprofit organizations provide practical experience.

Licensure & Certification in Indiana

Graduates may consider certifications to enhance their credentials:

  • Certified Public Manager (CPM): Recognized nationally for leadership in public administration.
  • Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM): Focused on financial management in government.

These certifications are valuable for advancing in public sector roles.

Careers in Public Administration in Indiana

An MPA opens doors to a variety of public service and private sector careers:

Career Opportunities

  • Local Government: Policy analysts, grant administrators, and city managers.
  • Nonprofit Organizations: Executive directors, program managers, and fundraising specialists.
  • Private Sector: Roles in corporate social responsibility or as business administrators.

Prominent Employers in Indiana

Networking opportunities are abundant through organizations like the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA) and the Indiana Association of Cities and Towns.

Sources

  1. Bureau of Labor Statistics – Public Administration Career Outlook
  2. Indiana University – O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs
  3. Ball State University – Public Administration Program
  4. Purdue University – Public Administration Curriculum
  5. NASPAA – Accreditation Standards

Acknowledgments

We are grateful to the following organizations and institutions for their valuable contributions to this guide:

These organizations play a pivotal role in shaping the future of public administration in Indiana and beyond.