Prospective Students

A Message for Our Prospective Students:

If you are considering applying to the CofC MPA program (in either the traditional or executive format), but you’re not sure if now is a good time, please know that we are well prepared to continue training public administration professionals, even during these uncertain times. While our standard curriculum is a combination of face-to-face and hybrid (meaning some material is delivered online) courses, we have the expertise and capacity to move all of the currently scheduled fall courses to an entirely online format if the need arises. All CofC MPA faculty are trained in distance education teaching methods.  So, while we are hoping that our fall classes will be resume as planned, we are prepared to continue offering a high-quality educational experience for our students, even if that requires temporarily moving to an online course delivery format.  Now, perhaps more than ever, our communities need well-trained, ethical, effective, efficient professionals in our public and nonprofit agencies. You need not be deterred by current circumstances from pursuing a public service career. If we can answer any questions you may have, please do not hesitate to email us at mpa@cofc.edu.

How the MPA Program works for ALL of Our Students:

The Master of Public Administration degree is fully accredited by the National Association of the Schools of Public Affairs and Administration (NASPAA). Program governance and admissions decisions are made by all core faculty in the MPA program.
The MPA program at The Graduate School of the College of Charleston is designed to provide the following:
  • A carefully structured core curriculum that focuses on the major components of modern public management.
  • An elective curriculum that allows the student to develop a program of study suited to his/her career goals.
  • Opportunities to apply administrative knowledge and skills and gain practical experience in a public or nonprofit agency.
  • Opportunities for graduate assistants to learn through participation in various research and community service projects.

For more information about the program such as degree requirements, specialized study, and core courses, please use the left navigation bar.  

Application Procedures and Admission Requirements

Students from diverse undergraduate backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply. In certain cases, students with no prior training in American administrative institutions or the social and behavioral sciences may be required to enroll in undergraduate courses to properly prepare themselves for graduate study in the MPA program. Additional Information

Additional Information