The information below is provided for NASPAA public accountability for the regular Master of Public Affairs (MPA) at Indiana University Indianapolis. Data are reviewed annually.
Master of Public Affairs — NASPAA Accreditation Information
Scope
This page covers the regular IU Indianapolis MPA, including students admitted through the Accelerated Master’s pathway. Accelerated students complete the same curriculum, competencies, assessment, advising, and degree requirements as other MPA students. The page does not include Executive MPA/Executive Education cohorts.
General degree information
| Item | Public text |
|---|---|
| Degree | Master of Public Affairs (MPA) |
| School and university | Paul H. O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs, Indiana University Indianapolis |
| Delivery | In-person instruction with online coursework available |
| Credits | 39 semester credit hours |
| Typical design length | Five semesters |
| Dual degrees | JD/MPA; MPA/MA in Philanthropic Studies |
| Specializations | Environmental Policy and Sustainability; Homeland Security and Emergency Management; Innovation and Social Change; Nonprofit Management; Policy Analysis; Public Management; Specialized Study; Urban and Regional Governance |
| Accelerated pathway | The Accelerated Master’s Program is an admissions pathway into the same MPA; it is not a separate modality. |
| Students enrolled | 86 regular-MPA students, Fall 2025 census headcount |
Mission statement
To meet the challenges and opportunities shaping the future, we develop leaders who can connect ideas across disciplines to solve problems and create public value. Our MPA program prepares students with the knowledge, skills, and adaptability to excel at every stage of their career, in any sector they choose to serve, and leave a lasting impact wherever they lead.
Faculty teaching in the program
During the 2025–26 academic year, 31 instructional faculty taught or co-taught courses in the regular MPA: 13 full-time and 18 part-time. The ten-person faculty nucleus has primary responsibility for program governance and delivery.
| Faculty nucleus | Current title | Credential |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Professor; MPA Program Director | Ph.D. | |
| Senior Lecturer | Ph.D. | |
| Assistant Professor | Ph.D. | |
| Professor; Director of Research | Ph.D. | |
| Assistant Professor | Ph.D. | |
| Assistant Professor | Ph.D. | |
| Professor | Ph.D. | |
| Associate Professor | Ph.D. | |
| Assistant Professor | Ph.D. | |
| Associate Professor | Ph.D. |
The 31 instructional faculty included 17 women and 14 men. Aggregate race/ethnicity reporting included 25 White faculty and six faculty identifying as Black or African American, Asian, Hispanic/Latinx, or two or more races.
Tuition, financial aid, and admissions
Tuition for 2026–27
The following rates are the approved 2026–27 IU Indianapolis graduate Public and Environmental Affairs rates. The estimates multiply the per-credit rate by the 39 credits required for the MPA.
| Student category | Per-credit tuition | 39-credit tuition-only estimate |
|---|---|---|
| Indiana resident | $507.75 | $19,802.25 |
| Indiana Partner | $761.63 | $29,703.57 |
| Nonresident | $1,358.00 | $52,962.00 |
Tuition-only estimates exclude mandatory fees, course fees, books, parking, housing, and other expenses. Rates are subject to change.
Graduate placement outcomes
| NASPAA placement category | Number |
|---|---|
| National or central government | 1 |
| State, provincial, or regional government | 5 |
| Local government | 4 |
| Foreign government or international quasi-governmental | 0 |
| Domestic nonprofit | 13 |
| International nonprofit | 0 |
| Private sector — research/consulting | 2 |
| Private sector — other | 5 |
| Military service | 3 |
| Further education | 0 |
| Unemployed — seeking employment | 1 |
| Unemployed — not seeking employment | 0 |
| Status unknown | 10 |
| Total graduates | 44 |
Internship placements
During 2025–26, regular-MPA students completed 13 internship placements at seven organizations:
- City of Indianapolis Mayor’s Office — 3 placements
- Indianapolis International Airport — 3 placements
- IndyGo — 3 placements
- Indiana State Fairgrounds — 1 placement
- Marion County Health Department — 1 placement
- Indiana Statehouse — 1 placement
- City of Indianapolis, another unit — 1 placement
The regular MPA does not require an internship; therefore, internship waivers are not required or granted.
Completion rates
| Measure | Students | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Graduated within 2 years | 21 | 40.4% |
| Graduated within 3 years | 31 | 59.6% |
| Graduated within 4 years | 39 | 75% |
| Graduated or still persisting | 42 | 80.8% |
Student learning outcomes and assessment
| Learning outcome | Public description |
|---|---|
| A. Leadership and Communication | Present ideas, engage in dialogue, listen actively, empathize, and communicate with varied audiences. |
| B. Contextual Problem-Solving and Framing | Frame real-world public problems using multiple disciplinary and institutional perspectives. |
| C. Analysis and Research Design | Critique evidence and develop appropriate analytical, research, or evaluation designs. |
| D. Application and Recommendation | Synthesize information and develop actionable, measurable recommendations. |
| E. Diverse Perspectives | Recognize and incorporate diverse perspectives in public-service analysis and change. |
| F. Policy Process and Governance | Evaluate organizational choices, policy options, and governance implications. |
| G. Public Service Perspectives and Ethics | Apply public-service values and ethical frameworks across sectors. |
Assessment summary
The program assesses student learning through course-embedded assignments and the V600 capstone portfolio, using a common four-level rubric and faculty review. In the finalized 2025–26 assessment of NASPAA competency #3, 26 of 36 artifacts (72.2%) were rated Excellent or Competent, and 3 of 36 (8.3%) were rated Not Acceptable. Follow-up actions include strengthening assignment prompts, making individual performance more visible within group work, improving artifact collection and rater calibration, and reinforcing advising about quantitative-course sequencing.
Last reviewed and updated: July 2026. Data year: 2025–26 unless otherwise stated.