Master of Public Administration

Learn how to be an effective public administrator

About the MPA Program

The Master of Public Administration is designed for optimum flexibility for working professionals. All classes are held in a synchronous online format utilizing Zoom or another web-based meeting platform. This means you can attend your live class during its scheduled day and time from a location of your choosing: the comfort of your home, the closest Barry University campus, or anywhere in the world you have an internet connection.

During the 7-week course, the instructor will teach from one of our campuses, for a minimum of one of the class sessions. In-person attendance for this session is optional as the class will still be offered via a web-based meeting platform. During the other scheduled classes, the instructor will teach from a location of his/her choosing, utilizing a web-based meeting platform. This program has been designed to provide working professionals a better life/work/school balance by eliminating the after work commute to campus while still offering live instruction and access to professors.

Also available online View Curriculum

Our program provides students with the theories, principles, and practices of public service, instilling in students a commitment to inclusivity, collaboration, and social justice.

Hallmarks of the Program

chess horse

Administrative and leadership theories

uneven scale

Principles of ethical behavior

even scale

Practices and the rule of law

  • chess horse

    Administrative and leadership theories

  • uneven scale

    Principles of ethical behavior

  • even scale

    Practices and the rule of law

Program Outcomes

  • target

    Focus on Effectiveness

    You will learn to apply research methods and techniques to determine organizational and program effectiveness. You will be able to use administrative and leadership theories and best practices to determine effectiveness in the workplace.

  • Continuous Improvement

    Promote Change

    You will learn to evaluate public planning theories and practices for substantive and equitable change.

  • Program Flexibility

    Evaluate Frameworks

    The program teaches you how to analyze the rule of law in administrative procedures, and the outcomes of public administration rulemaking, ultimately helping you apply theories and principles of public administration within existing frameworks.

  • hand person

    Nonprofit Specialization

    If you are interested in the nonprofit sector, you can earn a Specialization in Nonprofit Administration. Part of the MPA program, the specialization provides the distinctive administrative skills necessary for success in nonprofit organizations.

Testimonials

  • "Being a life-long learner, it simply enhances my life experiences. The instructors have been engaging and have promoted good discussions." - David Lubor Mission Planning Specialist with the U.S. Airforce, Bachelor of Public Administration
  • "What I liked most about Barry University was the professors' understanding that a large majority of the students were full-time working adults. The professors made the classes bearable as well as enjoyable all while instilling a positive learning environment. Having my degree will be an example for others to follow, such as subordinates and even my children. Having a degree allows for more opportunities and provides more benefits for you and your family." - Jeff Spears Sergeant with the Palm Police Department, Bachelor of Science in Administration
  • "I wanted to get an IT degree from Barry University as it is military friendly, especially for veterans. Getting a degree after retiring from the military has been one of my best accomplishments - showing my family and kids that it's not too late to get a degree and that they should pursue it after high school. It's hard when you work and have a family. It's tough but possible. I look forward to bigger and better things in life, thanks to Barry University and all the staff." - Orlando Lopez, Sr. Procurement Analyst with Raytheon IIS Company, Bachelor of Science in Information Technology.

Nonprofit Administration

Students in the MPA program with interest in the nonprofit sector have an opportunity to earn a Specialization in Nonprofit Administration. As a part of the MPA program, the specialization provides the distinctive administrative skills necessary for success in nonprofit organizations.

The specialization, intended for new and current Barry University graduate students, provides students with the knowledge required to advance in nonprofit organizations. The specialization offers face-to-face, hybrid, and fully online modalities

Also available Online View Curriculum
News

Top Stories

  • Two-Time School of Business and Public Administration Grad Aretha Sanders Shares Her Success Story January 11, 2023

    After completing her MPA, Sanders reflects on faith, family, and how choosing Barry helped advance her career in Nonprofit Administration.

  • Barry Alumna Ruth Forbes appointed as first female CEO of FortisTCI. July 14, 2021

    Ruth Forbes, a Barry alumna and a Turks and Caicos Islands native, has been chosen to succeed FortisTCI President & CEO Eddinton Powell and become the first woman at the head of the company

School of Business and Public Administration Faculty

Barry's small, interactive business classes are led by scholarly, full-time faculty, of which more than 90% hold doctoral degrees. The ASB faculty have a unique combination of international diversity and cultures. Our faculty also have business experience with firms such as Merrill Lynch, Deutsche Bank, McDonalds, and Harris Corporation.

These seasoned mentors will work side-by-side with you, teaching you how to negotiate, manage successfully, and become effective leaders in today's rapidly changing business arena.

Admissions Overview Getting Started

Congratulations on taking the first step to pursue your passion, advance your career, and make a difference in your community. We are committed to assist each student through the admission process.

Whether you transition straight from undergraduate studies to a graduate program or have been out of school for some time, we offer a welcoming and professional environment for graduate study.

With small class sizes, there is a considerable amount of personalized attention from your faculty and opportunities to build strong relationships with fellow classmates.

Apply Now!

Start your application today. In just a few years, you'll graduate with a degree from a highly-respected, affordable university.

The following admission requirements must be met:

  • A completed application, including a statement of purpose
  • A baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited or internationally recognized College or University. Official transcripts of all previous college or university studies must be submitted.
  • A minimum GPA of 2.50 is required for admissions. Provisional acceptance on a case by case basis may be granted by the Program Coordinator.
  • International applicants with previous college or university studies not in English must earn a minimum score of 550 on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or 81 on the internet-based versions of this test. Applicants must also satisfy all of the criteria outlined in the section of the University Graduate Catalog on International Applicants.
  • Students may also submit the IELTS results. Barry University requires a band score of 6.5 or higher.
For full admission, all of the above items must be submitted. If any item is missing or incomplete, applicants may be granted provisional acceptance and may be allowed to register for a limited number of credit hours while stipulated admission or academic requirements are satisfied. For additional details on admissions requirements, please refer to the Barry University Graduate Catalog.

International Student FAQs

If you are an international student, applying as early as possible is in your best interest in order to allow ample time for immigration processing. Please be aware that admission to Barry University does not guarantee that you will be granted a student visa by the United States Embassy or Consulate in your country of origin.

View FAQs

Financial Aid Affordable for you.

At BarryU, our tuition is competitive, affordable and still promises all the perks of a private school education. Our cost per credit is in-line with other institutions, but we offer a mission-driven educational experience and provide our students with small class sizes, personalized attention, and academic excellence. Scholarships, graduate assistantships, and financial aid can also be explored to help offset overall costs.

Barry University participates in the full array of federal and state financial aid programs. At Barry, we are committed to doing all we can to help you finance your education.

Barry University's Financial Aid staff will assist you through the financial aid application process.

Financial Assistance

Cost of Attendance Tuition and Fees

You can use the Barry University Scholarship System to find other scholarship opportunities that you may be eligible to receive:

  • Answer as many questions as you like—the more questions answered, the more scholarships you’re matched to
  • Be automatically considered for many of the scholarships available at Barry University
  • Do a keyword search for scholarships and review the criteria to see if your qualifications are a match
The scholarships are funded through contributions from private donors, alumni, faculty, staff, parents, campus organizations, and corporations.
Barry University Scholarships

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