Earning a Master of Public Administration (MPA) is indicative of a professional’s understanding of administrative ethics, organizational management, and political processes. Aspiring public servants need little convincing to pursue this graduate degree, but choosing an MPA program—that’s a different story.  

A flexible MPA program, like the one offered by The University of Texas Permian Basin, offers numerous benefits to students interested earning their degree online—particularly the freedom to choose when, where, and in some cases, what to study. Here are the benefits we think are most important to aspiring MPA students.  

Attend Class on Your Schedule 

Online MPA programs allow students to complete coursework on their own time and at their own pace, which can be especially helpful for anyone who works full-time or has other commitments that make it difficult to attend classes in-person. 

Course assignments do have due dates, but when you attend classes online, you can manage your time as you see fit. Maybe you work full-time and want to review a lecture on your lunchbreak, or maybe you’re a parent who wants to spend time with your family before settling down to catch up on assigned readings. A flexible online MPA program works with your schedule, no matter how hectic it may be.  

Find Your Ideal Learning Environment 

There’s no “correct” way to earn an MPA. Some students prefer the rigid structure of a traditional classroom, while others like to catch up on the week’s readings while enjoying a glass of wine in the bath. 

A study of online learning in higher education looked at 104 studies conducted between 2013 and 2019. Among other key findings, researchers concluded that a student’s work ethic was a greater predictor of academic success than the format (online, in-person, or hybrid) of their classes. Student satisfaction came down to personal preference for one setting rather than dislike of another.  

If you’ve excelled as an on-campus student, there’s no reason to believe you can’t do the same as a distance learner. You may even prefer learning in an online classroom, where you can revisit lectures and discussions until you’ve mastered a public administration concept. Conversely, you can work ahead if you’re on a roll and want to give yourself some breathing room in later weeks—if you’re planning a vacation, for instance. 

Pay for What You Need and Nothing More 

Many universities are like palaces: a sprawling campus of academic buildings, green spaces, and recreation centers that fan out from a quad. Colleges and universities can provide a much-needed second home to students. But all of those campus amenities, from multi-million-dollar sports facilities to the fluorescent lighting in a classroom, come with a price tag.    

Consider, for a moment, that the average cost of a master’s degree program is $31,046. Most two-year master’s degree programs can cost anywhere between $44,000 and $57,000, which includes the cost of non-tuition expenses, such as transportation and housing.  

At UT Permian Basin, the total estimated cost of our online MPA program is less than $15,000. Our online program, with its virtual classroom, has less overhead than your typical on-campus MPA program, so we’re able to pass on the savings to you.  

Choose From a Wide Range of Elective Courses 

Online MPA programs aren’t limited by classroom sizes and can therefore offer a wider range of courses than on-campus programs. For example, students in our online program can satisfy their elective requirements with MPA courses or a variety of courses offered by other online programs at our University, including:  

By choosing your electives, you can align your curriculum to your professional interests. Core courses will teach you to tackle organizational issues in a practical, ethical, and politically savvy manner, but electives will prepare you for the challenges and opportunities you’re sure to encounter on your specific career path.  

The Flexible MPA Program That’s Right for You 

We hope we’ve helped you better understand the benefits of a flexible MPA program. By pursuing your MPA online, you’ll be able to save money and pursue your interests while studying in your ideal learning environment. We have no doubt that you’ll do well as a graduate student, regardless of the setting. If, however, an online program appeals to you, consider earning your MPA from UT Permian Basin.  

UT Permian Basin’s Online MPA Program  

Our online MPA program boasts all the benefits listed above and then some. This 36-credit program offers an accelerated study in public and nonprofit service. In as little as one year, you can graduate with a prestigious degree and a deeper understanding of:  

  • Basic principles of personnel management in nonprofit organizations. 
  • Forces, pressures, and constraints that affect policy makers. 
  • Major revenue-raising sources that support public sector activities. 

At UT Permian Basin, we’ll give you everything you need to excel in our online classroom, but when it comes to when and where you study, we leave that entirely up to you. Apply to UT Permian Basin if you think our flexible MPA program is right for you.