Why Choose an MPA?

A Master of Public Administration (MPA) prepares students to lead and manage in government and nonprofit organizations by building specialized skills in budgeting, human resource management, strategic planning, program evaluation, public involvement, and data-driven decision-making. Public administration empowers professionals to channel their passions into effective administrative action, whether they are early-career professionals, mid-career managers, career changers, or military-affiliated students. The MPA is ideal for people who want to run things and change things for the public good.

Potential career paths for MPA graduates include:

• City Manager or Assistant City Manager

• Policy Analyst or Policy Advisor

• Program Director or Program Evaluator

• Grant Writer or Fundraiser

• Nonprofit CEO or Executive Director

• Urban or City Planner

• Community Health Director

• Budget Analyst or Financial Manager

• Emergency Management Director

• Public Affairs or Public Information Officer

Students choose the MPA for career advancement, increased earning potential, specialized knowledge, and protection during career transitions, as well as the opportunity to make a difference and expand their professional networks. UTEP’s MPA offers this value with exceptional accessibility: its graduates achieve the third lowest debt-to-income ratio among Texas MPA programs, according to an analysis by the Wall Street Journal in 2021. With a flexible online format, applied curriculum, and the unique strengths of a Hispanic-Serving Institution positioned on the U.S.–Mexico border, the UTEP MPA equips students with the skills, confidence, and community needed to lead across government agencies, nonprofits, and organizations that receive public funding.