Master of Business Administration in Public Administration Online
Earn a career-aligned MBA in Public Administration through 100% online coursework that uniquely emphasizes micropolitan studies, preparing you to lead local, regional and state government organizations.
Program Overview
What can you do with an MBA in Public Administration degree?
Pursue leadership roles in public and private organizations with an online MBA in Public Administration degree that helps you stand out. This AACSB-accredited program deepens your understanding of government at regional and local levels by blending economic theory, urban planning principles and public policy analysis.
In addition to core courses that cover key business fundamentals, this online program equally examines bustling urban areas and the economic, regional and urban forces shaping micropolitan regions, which are defined by the U.S. Census as emerging locations with populations between 10,000 and 50,000 people. Earning your MBA in Public Administration will provide you with the expertise that supports career growth in emerging cities and communities.
Pitt State’s affordable, accelerated online MBA in Public Administration is designed for working professionals who want to advance their careers without pausing their employment. With 24/7 access to courses, you can continue working while you build the knowledge essential for public administration leaders. Guided by our expert faculty, you’ll gain hands‑on experience using economic and spatial analysis tools while exploring the interconnected roles of government, community development and public leadership.
In this online master’s degree in public administration program, you will:
- Analyze state and local governmental structures, institutions and their roles within the U.S. federal system
- Examine policy implementation processes and the challenges faced by public administrators at multiple levels
- Apply regional and urban planning and development concepts across local, regional and national scales, considering economic, environmental and social justice implications
- Utilize data sources and advanced analytical tools to address regional economic and urban issues
- Develop practical communication skills, including writing policy memos, advocating for substantive policy change
- Understand the role of government in the growth of micropolitan areas
- Navigate the intersection of public policy, economic development and urban planning
- Drive innovation and equity in public administration, non-profits and community development
- Analyze state and local governmental structures, institutions and their roles within the U.S. federal system
- Examine policy implementation processes and the challenges faced by public administrators at multiple levels
- Apply regional and urban planning and development concepts across local, regional and national scales, considering economic, environmental and social justice implications
- Utilize data sources and advanced analytical tools to address regional economic and urban issues
- Develop practical communication skills, including writing policy memos, advocating for substantive policy change
- Understand the role of government in the growth of micropolitan areas
- Navigate the intersection of public policy, economic development and urban planning
- Drive innovation and equity in public administration, non-profits and community development
Potential public administration degree jobs for graduates include:
- Chamber of Commerce President
- City Manager
- Economic Development Manager
- Government Relations Manager
- Housing Development Manager
- Urban Planner
- Chamber of Commerce President
- City Manager
- Economic Development Manager
- Government Relations Manager
- Housing Development Manager
- Urban Planner
Get Credit for Your Experience
Start your MBA courses on day one. No prerequisite or foundation courses are required.
Accreditation
The Gladys A. Kelce College of Business at Pittsburg State University is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International).
Pittsburg State University is proud to celebrate 50 years of awarding high-quality, career-relevant MBA degrees to help graduates achieve their professional goals.
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Tuition
Invest in your future with a quality online program
Pittsburg State University offers affordable tuition prices. Tuition for the public administration MBA online degree program is the same for in-state and out-of-state students, so you can take this online MBA in Kansas or wherever you are located!
*Pittsburg State University's tuition rates and fees are reviewed annually by the Kansas Board of Regents and subject to change prior to each new academic year.
| Program | Per Credit Hour | Per Course | Per Program |
|---|---|---|---|
| MBA – PA | $399 | $1,197 | $11,970* |
Tuition breakdown:
Calendar
Review important dates and deadlines
This MBA program is delivered in an online format ideal for working professionals, conveniently featuring multiple start dates each year. Get started at PSU—choose the date that works for you.
Please note that all tuition payments are due at 8 a.m. on the day of the Tuition Deadline.
| Term | Program Start Date | Application Deadline | Document Deadline | Registration Deadline | Tuition Deadline | Last Class Day |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 1 | 8/17/26 | 8/3/26 | 8/10/26 | 8/14/26 | 8/14/26 | 10/2/26 |
| Fall 2 | 10/12/26 | 9/28/26 | 10/5/26 | 10/7/26 | 10/9/26 | 11/27/26 |
| Spring 1 | 1/19/27 | 1/13/27 | 1/12/27 | 1/13/27 | 1/15/27 | 3/5/27 |
| Spring 2 | 3/15/27 | 3/1/27 | 3/8/27 | 3/10/27 | 3/12/27 | 4/30/27 |
| Summer | 6/7/27 | 5/14/27 | 5/31/27 | 6/2/27 | 6/4/27 | 7/23/27 |
Now enrolling:
Have questions or need more information about our online programs?
Ready to take the rewarding path toward earning your degree online?
Admissions
No entrance exams required for the public administration degree application
We value your experience. At least three years in a managerial role or a recent bachelor’s degree in a business-related field gives you a foundation for success in the MBA online program from Pittsburg State University. No prerequisites or leveling courses are required regardless of your undergraduate degree specialization. Please review these admission requirements to get started on your online MBA in Public Administration.
Admission Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
- 2.7 GPA or higher
- Resume
Interested students may apply to the online MBA program via one of the following admission tracks:
- Professional Experience
- Submit a resume that demonstrates a minimum of three years of substantial, full-time managerial experience. Management experience is defined as managing people, financial resources or customer relationships beyond a basic supervisory level. This also includes military leadership, business owner-managers and entrepreneurs.
- Recent Business Graduate
- Students who have recently earned an undergraduate business degree from a United States accredited university within the last three years prior to the admission decision are eligible to apply to the online MBA program.
- Students nearing completion of their undergraduate business degree may apply for conditional admission to the online MBA program. However, they will not be permitted to begin coursework until their official transcript has been received.
- Bachelor’s degree in a business-related field from a regionally accredited institution earned within the last three years
- Undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher
- With a 2.7-2.9 GPA, your application may be considered with additional support materials requested by the admissions committee.
- Resume
A $35 application fee is required of all applicants.
Note: Prospective KCOB Graduate Assistants and dual-degree/exchange students are not eligible to apply to the online MBA program.
Official Transcripts directly from all colleges/universities attended and other documents should be mailed to:
Pittsburg State University
Graduate and Continuing Studies
ATTN: Janet Miller
1701 South Broadway Street
Pittsburg, KS 66762
Official electronic transcripts can be emailed to Janet Miller at jsmiller@pittstate.edu
Pittsburg State University reserves the right to request that applicants provide supplemental application materials as needed (i.e., letter of recommendation).
International Applicants must meet all of the admission requirements for domestic students as well as the following:
- Provide official post-secondary transcript(s) from each college or university attended
- Students with foreign transcripts must submit an original course-by-course evaluation by a NACES accredited evaluation agency (ex: WES or ECE)
- English proficiency requirement
- Students must meet one of the following language requirements:
- TOEFL score of 550/79
- IELTS overall band score of 6.5 with no band score below 5.5
- PTE score of 53
- Duolingo score of 110 with no section score below 100
- For admission purposes, tests scores are valid for two years from the date of examination
- English proficiency waivers/exemptions are available for students who meet the following:
- Completion of 24 credit hours at an English-speaking institution/academic program (must be able to be verified by Pittsburg State University staff)
- Students whose native language is English and who are citizens of the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, English-speaking Canada, and some Caribbean islands.
- $35 application fee
- A copy of your passport or government issued photo ID could be required to cross check your full, correct legal name
Pittsburg State University reserves the right to request that applicants provide supplemental application materials as needed (i.e., letter of recommendation).
Please note that enrollment in our online program requires unrestricted access to technology such as a computer or laptop, webcam, speakers and microphone. In addition, you will need reliable access to the internet. Extensive firewall limitations, particularly outside the U.S., may impede your ability to participate in required course activities.
The Pittsburg State online MBA program permits international students to apply and enroll when accepted while residing outside of the United States. The online MBA program is not qualified to admit students who wish to enter the United States through a student visa, nor does it qualify a student for work authorization in the United States, such as in Optional Practical Training (OPT) programs.
Courses
View the public administration MBA online courses
Become a leader who can translate policy into impact. This concentration blends state and local governance, urban and regional planning, and advanced analytics with practical communication skills to solve complex economic and urban challenges. You’ll also study micropolitan growth to prepare for roles that drive innovation and equity across public administration and community development.
In order to remain in the public administration MBA online program, the student must successfully complete (with A/B grade) their first two online courses.
You must take the following courses:
“I enjoy engaging with students in the classroom about American government, politics, and policy, and I find the course material that I teach to be important and interesting.”