Master of Public Administration - Public and Nonprofit Management in Ithaca United States | Cornell University

The Master of Public Administration (M.P.A.) is a two-year program comprising sixteen courses, with students generally enrolling in four courses per semester over four terms. While the M.P.A. curriculum provides a foundational framework, each student customizes their academic path according to their specialized interests. Participants can select elective courses and pursue research initiatives across various university departments. The program features eight concentration areas: Environmental Policy, Economic and Financial Policy, Government, Politics, and Policy Studies, Human Rights and Social Justice, International Development Studies, Public and Non-Profit Management, Science, Technology and Infrastructure Policy, and Social Policy.

At the Cornell Jeb E. Brooks School of Public Policy, students explore public policy and program management through an interdisciplinary lens. The curriculum examines the political mechanisms shaping policy formation, the economic rationale for government intervention in markets, and the comparative historical framework of public programs. Coursework covers public finance, budgeting, regulatory systems, and organizational behavior in both public and private sectors. Students also develop expertise in qualitative and quantitative policy analysis methods while cultivating awareness of ethical considerations in policymaking.

M.P.A. candidates are required to complete summer internships in their chosen specialization between their first and second years. The program culminates with a professional writing component, which students may fulfill through a research thesis, an internship-based report, or the MPA Capstone project.

Those focusing on Public and Nonprofit Management prepare for leadership roles in government agencies or nonprofit organizations, both domestic and international. This concentration equips students with essential financial management skills—including budgeting, investment analysis, and debt financing—along with core managerial competencies such as negotiation, leadership development, and human resource strategies. The curriculum also addresses the broader political, economic, and regulatory environments influencing these sectors.