Make a lasting impact in your community and beyond. Lead effectively, influence policy, and drive meaningful change across the public and nonprofit sectors.
The Master of Public Administration at Florida Southern College equips you to lead effectively, influence policy, and drive meaningful change across the public and nonprofit sectors.
Whether your goal is city management, nonprofit leadership, or public policy, the MPA prepares you to step confidently into roles that shape communities. The curriculum connects theory to practice at every turn, from policy analysis and program evaluation to a culminating internship or thesis, so you graduate with both the knowledge and the judgment to tackle complex public challenges. And with an accelerated, flexible format, you can finish in under two years without stepping away from your career.
Public service leadership is in demand, and it pays. Here’s what the degree opens up.
City and county managers earn over $100,000, while nonprofit directors, budget analysts, and policy advisors typically earn $70,000 to $90,000 depending on sector and region.
Employment in management-level government and nonprofit roles is projected to grow 6% by 2034, faster than the average for all occupations (BLS).
Small cohorts mean personalized faculty support and genuine one-on-one attention.
FSC undergraduates can begin the MPA in their senior year, earning up to 8 graduate credits that count toward both degrees.
Explore the hybrid format, the applied curriculum, and the community partnerships that put you at the center of public decision-making.
The MPA program is delivered in a flexible hybrid format, with one evening course on campus and one primarily asynchronous online course each week. Online courses may include occasional scheduled virtual meetings, and students should expect to coordinate with classmates outside of class to complete group assignments. This structure allows students to continue working while completing the program in under two years.
What makes the FSC MPA distinctive is how closely your studies intersect with the world around you. Through established partnerships with local governments, nonprofits, and regional agencies, you’ll take on projects and internships that place you at the center of decision-making and public service. Those connections give you access to professional networks, mentors, and experiences that extend your impact well beyond the classroom.
Every course pushes you to apply what you learn in real contexts, from policy analysis papers to program evaluation projects. The program culminates in your choice of a thesis or an internship: the thesis for those drawn to research or considering doctoral study, the internship for those ready to apply their skills directly in a public or nonprofit setting.
The MPA follows a structured sequence of public administration coursework, culminating in a thesis or internship.
POS 6100 Foundations of Public Administration and Public Service in the U.S.
POS 6200 Federalism and Intergovernmental Relations
POS 6300 Research Methods for Public and Nonprofit Organizations
POS 6400 Public Policy Analysis
POS 6500 Leadership in Public Administration
POS 6600 Program Evaluation
POS 6700 Thesis or POS 6800 Internship
Admission to the MPA program requires:
Transcript evaluation. Course-by-course evaluations are accepted from SpanTran (an FSC discount is available), Academic Evaluation Services, Inc., Josef Silny & Associates, World Education Services, or another comparable approved evaluation agency.
For the 2026-2027 academic year, tuition is $875 per credit hour, with a per-semester technology fee of $25 to $100 based on credit hours enrolled. A $250 non-refundable enrollment deposit is due upon acceptance and applied toward your first-semester tuition.
For individuals pursuing a career in the public works field.
Learn More about American Public Works Association (APWA)For leaders in the profession who have demonstrated professionalism and service within the field of public management.
Learn More about Florida City and County Management Association (FCCMA)The Florida League of Cities honors municipal officials for individual achievement, dedicated years of service, continuing education, and innovative city initiatives.
Learn More about Florida League of Cities (FLC)For students interested in pursuing a career in state/provincial or local government finance.
Learn More about Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA)To earn the MPA, you must maintain a cumulative 3.0 GPA across all coursework with no grade below a C in any course, and successfully complete either a thesis or an internship as your culminating experience.
Public administration is the work of making government and nonprofits actually function: setting policy, managing budgets, evaluating programs, and leading the people who deliver public services. An MPA prepares you for the roles where those decisions get made, from city and county management to nonprofit leadership to policy analysis. If you want your career to shape the community you live in, this is the credential built for it.
FSC sits in Lakeland, in the middle of Central Florida’s fastest-growing region, and the program’s partnerships with local governments, nonprofits, and regional agencies put you inside real public work while you study. You won’t just read case studies. You’ll analyze actual policy, evaluate real programs, and build a professional network in the sector you’re entering.
In a program built on personal attention, you'll get direct mentorship from faculty who know your goals and help you shape your path in public service. Practitioners from government, policy, and nonprofit leadership regularly join the classroom as guest speakers, so you hear firsthand how the work gets done and start building connections in the field you're entering.
FSC undergraduates can be considered for early admission to the MPA program during the second semester of their junior year. Admitted students may complete up to 8 credit hours of graduate work before finishing their bachelor’s degree, and those credits count toward both degrees.
Graduate courses taken before undergraduate graduation are billed at the undergraduate full-time tuition rate; after graduation, they’re billed at the MPA per-credit-hour rate.
Get to know the faculty who make personal attention the foundation of FSC's MPA, with small classes and one-on-one mentorship.
Associate Professor of Political Science, MPA Program Director
Associate Professor of Political Science, Dr. Sarah D. and L. Kirk McKay Jr. Chair in American History, Government, and Civics
Graduates pursue leadership across local, state, and federal government, as well as nonprofits, think tanks, and NGOs. Roles range from city manager and policy analyst to nonprofit executive director, positions that directly shape communities and influence policy.
Yes. The program emphasizes ethical leadership, public policy analysis, organizational management, and strategic decision-making, preparing graduates to lead effectively in public and nonprofit settings.
You’ll complete one or the other as your culminating experience. The internship is designed for those ready to apply their skills directly in a government or nonprofit setting; the thesis suits those drawn to research or considering doctoral study. See “Applied Learning” in Program Details for how the two compare.
The MPA is offered in a hybrid format: one class meets on campus in the evening and one is offered online each week. The structure is designed to accommodate students balancing coursework, internships, or employment.
The accelerated format allows you to finish in under two years while working full-time.
Florida Southern's nationally ranked Career Services offers personalized career coaching, networking opportunities, and employer connections. Faculty mentors also provide individualized guidance throughout the program and beyond.
Yes. Florida Southern College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees. Questions about accreditation may be directed to SACSCOC at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, (404) 679-4500, or www.sacscoc.org.
Join us to learn about the MPA program. Hear from an MPA faculty member and your admissions counselor about the course plan, next steps for admission, and get your questions answered.
Join us to learn about Florida Southern College's Master of Public Administration (MPA) program!...
Admissions
Join us to learn about Florida Southern College's Master of Public Administration (MPA) program!...
Admissions
Join us to learn about Florida Southern College's Master of Public Administration (MPA) program!...
Admissions
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Whether you’re ready to apply or still exploring, our team is here to guide you.
Associate Professor of Political Science, MPA Program Director
Exploring other graduate paths in leadership and public service? These may also fit your goals:
The communities that need good leaders won’t wait. Turn your commitment to public service into the credential that lets you lead. Request more information about the FSC MPA or start your free application today.
