Welcome to the Master of Public Administration Program at Appalachian State University.

Established in 1989, our program has a distinguished reputation for cultivating the next generation of leaders in public service through an immersive, hands-on learning experience. We combine theoretical foundations with practical applications to empower our students to navigate the complexities of public administration with confidence and expertise. Led by a combination of esteemed practitioners and scholars, our curriculum is recognized among the top 25 local government programs in the nation. 

The Mission of the Appalachian State University Master of Public Administration Program is to educate and prepare in-service and pre-service students to be public service leaders by fostering foundational knowledge, analytical and practical skills, and professional networks.

Leading Western North Carolina In Public Administration:

Alumni Network

Alumni Network

Largest Public Administration Alumni Network In North Carolina.

Distance Education

Distance Education

Three Program Locations.

NASPAA Accredited Program

NASPAA Accredited Program

Program accreditation through 2023-24 academic year.

Top 25 in Local Government

Top 25 in Local Government

According to U.S. News and World Report.

Spotlights

Hope Borders Shares Her Experience In The MPA Program.

Q)  How long have you been in the MPA Program and what is your concentration?A) This is my second year in the MPA Program. My concentration is Ma...

Picture for Student Spotlight

Daniel Odom Shares His Thoughts on Distance Education.

Q) What is your name?A) Daniel S. OdomQ) How long have you been in the MPA Program?A) I started with the Hickory Cohort of the Distance Education MPA ...

Paxton Caroline Hayes Shares Her Experience in the MPA Program

Q) What is your name?A) Paxton Caroline HayesQ) How long have you been in the MPA Program and what is your concentration?A) I am in my second semester...

Program Concentrations

On-campus students choose one of four tracks as their area of concentration:

Administration of JusticeNot for Profit managementTown, City, and County ManagementPublic Management

Get quick details about the MPA program from our flyer (PDF, 858 KB).