Master of Public Affairs

Accreditation

The O’Neill MPA program at IU Indianapolis is fully accredited by the National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration (NASPAA).

Degree requirements

The core requirements of the MPA prepare you to enter or continue work in public service, no matter your area of focus. Each student must also complete the requirements of one concentration and two or three electives depending on the program of study.

  • MPA core (15 credit hours)
  • Concentration requirement (18 credit hours, 15 for Nonprofit Management)
  • Electives (6 credit hours, 9 for Nonprofit Management)

65%OF O'NEILL MPA STUDENTS ARE PART-TIME

Attend full time or part time

Graduate course schedules are designed so students can work full time while earning a master’s degree or certificate. 

O'Neill Indianapolis graduate program rankings

#39MPA ranking out of 271 schools

#2Nonprofit Management

#12Environmental Policy & Management

Real-life, hands-on projects—not case studies

A graduate student discusses her Capstone project.

Capstone classes tackle projects that promote positive change in the community. Each class starts with a variety of local agencies that pitch their needs to O’Neill MPA students, who work on the projects in groups.

Learn about Capstone classes
Graduation data is based on 36 students who initially enrolled.

O'Neill MPA interns and alumni work for:

  • Alzheimer’s Association of Greater Indiana
  • Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield
  • City of Indianapolis
  • Cleveland Orchestra
  • Environmental Protection Agency
  • Finish Line Youth Foundation
  • Indiana Attorney Generals Office
  • Indiana Department of Commerce
  • Indiana Department of Education
  • Indiana State House
  • Indiana University Foundation
  • Indianapolis Downtown, Inc.
  • Iowa League of Cities
  • Lutheran Child and Family Services
  • The Nature Conservancy
  • Office of Medicaid Policy and Planning
  • Purdue University
  • United Way of Central Indiana
  • U.S. District Court

Executive MPA for employers

The O'Neill School offers a 39 credit hour Executive Master of Public Affairs program through the offices of Executive Education. The cohort-based course of study is designed for employers and can be delivered at IU Indianapolis or your company's location. Offered with a management concentration, the Executive MPA prepares employees to manage public agencies and nonprofit organizations.