University of Alabama - Birmingham - Master of Public Administration

About this program

Do you want to make a difference? Do you want to be the difference? For almost 40 years, UAB's nationally ranked Master of Public Administration (MPA) program has prepared students for successful careers in public service where they can serve the greater good. We have graduates locally and across the country who have become successful leaders and managers in local, state, and federal government positions, and nonprofit organizations. In line with the mission of the University, the MPA program is committed to excellence in graduate education through teaching, research, service, and practice. The program focuses on building the next generation of global leaders and responsible decision makers by enhancing their intellectual and social capacities through knowledge and skills provided within the framework of public service values embedded in the MPA curriculum.

Year partnership began: 2014
Fellowships awarded per year (average): 3

Application requirements

Transcripts from accredited undergraduate university, two letters of recommendation, letter of interest in the program.

Admissions process

Apply to the MPA Program as a Peace Corps return through the UAB Graduate School www.uab.edu/graduate. Once your application has been vetted by the UAB Graduate School, it will come to the MPA Program for an admission decision. We will then inform you via email if you have been selected as a Coverdell Fellow.

Degrees awarded

Master of Public Administration; Graduate Level Certificates in Nonprofit Management and Public Management

Benefits and opportunities

	In-state	Out-of-state
Tuition and fees	$22,764	$46,964
Value of fellowship	$5,691	$29,505
Net cost	$17,073	$17,459

Net cost is equal to tuition/fees minus fellowship value. For some universities, the fellowship value includes non-tuition/fee benefits such as health insurance or housing. See cost savings details for more.

Estimated annual cost of living: $21,000

Cost savings details

Coverdell Fellows work as graduate assistants (teaching) for 20 hours/week - receive in-state tuition rate and monthly stipend.

Internship

The MPA Program at UAB has many diverse community related internship opportunities aimed at encouraging student development while serving the greater good in under-served populations. The program has internships with local governments at the city, county, and state level; as well as internships in all aspects of nonprofit organizational themes. Opportunities await students in organizations such as the Red Cross, the Regional Planning Commission of Greater Birmingham, the City of Birmingham, Jefferson County, YMCA, YWCA, Better Basics, Community Food Bank, The Red Barn, The Urban Food Project, United Way of Central Alabama, and many more organizations that work to make our community a better place for all to live and thrive.

Other opportunities

Priority consideration for graduate assistantships, which gives student in-state tuition rates and a monthly stipend.

Jobs for alumni

City planner, mayor, senator, representative, city manager, policy analyst, development director, executive director, CEO, CFO, Presidential Management Fellow, policy director, vice president, advisor, public safety officer, councilor, program manager, program coordinator, program director.