The Master of Public Administration (MPA) program is located within the Department of Government in the College of Arts and Sciences on the main campus of New Mexico State University. The MPA degree addresses the specific needs of those pursuing a career in governmental or non-profit administration, and provides preparation for those interested in doctoral level study. With most courses offered in the evenings, the program is designed for both individuals who recently completed undergraduate degrees and returning students. It is structured to foster public service leadership by teaching students how to confront theory with practice and practice with theory.
The MPA is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration (NASPAA), a distinction enjoyed by only about one-fourth of all Master’s programs in public administration in the United States .
The MPA is a two-year professional degree. All MPA students complete a common set of six core courses in public management and policy. A minimum of 42 credit hours, which includes either an internship or thesis, and a final oral examination, are required for the MPA. The program is designed in such a way that full-time students who enter in the fall semester can receive their degree in two years or five semesters.
The MPA faculty brings a variety of perspectives to the program and endeavors to share the latest scholarship and the most pressing issues with students through courses and projects. The faculty encourages MPA students to think critically and creatively in addressing public concerns and problems. Case studies and practical exercises provide students opportunities to apply and revise knowledge developed by others. The small size of the program encourages close interaction among MPA students and between faculty and students.
The MPA program also offers joint degrees with the Department of Criminal Justice and the Department of History. For more information on those joint degree programs, see the links below.
Prospective students are encouraged to review the program requirements in the NMSU Graduate Catalog. For additional information, contact the MPA Director, Dr. Christina A. Medina, at 575-646-4935 or camedina@nmsu.edu.
- MPA Living Mission Statement
- MPA Admissions
- MPA Degree Requirements
- MPA Costs & Financial Aid Availability
- MPA Joint Degree Programs
- MPA Advising Form
- MPA Internship Guidelines
- MPA Examination Process
- MPA Handbook (Revised September 29, 2023)
- Graduate Minor in Public Administration
- 2022 MPA Program Learning Outcomes
- Government Department Graduate Catalog
- Suggested Plan of Study (Full-Time Students)
MPA Application Deadlines:
March 1st for Fall admission
October 1st for Spring admission
*** Applications submitted after Priority Deadline are not guaranteed review for assistantships.
MPA Graduation Rates
The following data indicate the cohort’s initial enrollment numbers of the current annual report year (ARY) for 2022-2023 – 5 years (students entering the MPA program in Summer 2017, Fall 2017, and/or Spring 2018) and the length of time it took to graduate. The NMSU MPA program defines its program length as 5 semesters or 2.5 years of full-time study (the completion of a minimum of 42 credit hours is required)
ARY-5 data indicate how those enrolled graduated within the program design length of 2 or 2.5 years, within 3 or 3.5 years, and 4 years of program design length. Note that the numbers in each successive column are cumulative, meaning that the number of students in the column for 4 years of degree length includes the numbers of students from the 3 or 3.5 years column, plus those that graduated within 3-4 years of program length. For example, if 15 students initially enrolled, 10 graduated in 2 years, 2 graduated in 3 years, and 1 graduated in 4 years, data would be reported as: 15; 10; 12; 13. NOT 15; 10; 2; 1.
MPA Graduation Rates for the 2017-2018 Matriculating Cohort
|
|
Initially Enrolled
|
Graduated within 2 or 2.5 years; 4 or 5 semesters (100% of the degree program length) |
Graduated within 3 or 3.5 years; 6 or 7 semesters (150% of the degree program length) |
Graduated within 4 years or 8 semesters (200% of the degree program length)
|
Total Students Graduated and Persisting to Graduation
|
|
Total number of Students in the ARY-5 Cohort |
14 |
10 |
12 |
12 |
12 |
MPA Job Placement Statistics
Below are the job placement statistics (numbers) for students who completed the MPA program in 2021-2022. These statistics reflect the numbers of students who were employed in the “profession” within six months of graduation by employment sector.
Employment Placement By Sector for the 2021-2022 MPA Graduating Class
National or central government in the same country as the program = 0
State, provincial or regional government in the same country as the program = 1
City, County, or other local government in the same country as the program = 1
Nonprofit domestic-oriented = 1
Obtaining further education = 1
Private Sector but not research/consulting = 1
Unemployed (not seeking employment) = 0
Unemployed (seeking employment) = 0
Total = 5
Summer 2023 MPA Internships
2023 (4)
New Mexico State University, College of Agriculture, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences
The City of Las Cruces
Community Options Inc., Las Cruces, a Local Nonprofit
Presbyterian Health
Apply to the Graduate School at https://gradadmissions.nmsu.edu/how-to-apply/
