Frequently Asked Questions

Public administration is to government and nonprofit organizations what business administration is to business – we prepare people to manage and operate government and nonprofit agencies. People with a master’s degree in public administration typically seek careers in public service as executives, managers, and analysts across a host of public sector organizations, including non-profit, federal, state, and local governments, think-tanks, public authorities, urban affairs, universities, financial management corporations, and many businesses and industries in the private sector. For more information, please visit NASPAA’s FAQ website.

The degree is the Master of Public Administration (commonly referred to as the “MPA”). The UA Little Rock MPA program emphasizes leadership skills and management techniques that enable graduates to develop and implement policies, projects, and programs addressing important issues in their local, regional, state, national, or international communities as well as nonprofit or private organizations.

The admissions committee considers a number of factors in admissions decisions, including work experience, letters of recommendation, prior academic performance, the student’s goal statement, and GRE or MAT scores. A minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.7 is required for conditional admission and 3.0 GPA for regular admission. Students with a GPA between 2.5 and 2.6 may be considered if he/she demonstrates extraordinary potential, has at least 3 years of relevant professional experience in public or nonprofits, and is recommended by the MPA Admissions Committee after a personal interview.

Admissions are made on a rolling basis, but in order to ensure admissions for a particular semester, we recommend that all application materials be received several weeks before the start of the upcoming semester. Applications are accepted for admission each term  (fall, spring and summer).

Many of our students work full-time and choose to attend the program part-time, taking only one or two courses per semester. Courses are primarily offered in the evening or in a weekend intensive format. We do not offer any online MPA courses at this time.

The data below show the completion rate* for the MPA cohort who exited the program during the 2022-2023 academic year:

Graduated in 2 years: 48%
Graduated within 3 years: 48%
Graduated within 4 years: 4%
Did not Graduate: 0%

*The majority of students who do not graduate within two years are typically part-time students whose job responsibilities preclude their taking more than two classes each semester, with some only being able to take one course each semester.  If a student enrolls in 9 hours each semester (Fall & Spring), the program can be completed in two years.

Tuition and fees for a full-time Arkansas resident student taking 3 courses a semester is $3,725. Tuition and fees for a full-time non-resident student taking 3 courses a semester is $7,371. Please note, that tuition and fees for non-residents from any state contiguous with Arkansas (LA, MS, MO, OK, TN, & TX) will be the same as in-state tuition. Click here for UA Little Rock’s tuition and fee estimator.

Graduate students are eligible for various means of assistance that are outlined on the Graduate School Financial Aid website. Please also see the MPA Scholarship webpage for additional information.

Students who were previously enrolled in another graduate program and were in good academic standing may have up to nine hours of work accepted toward the MPA degree. Acceptance of transfer credit is at the discretion of the MPA coordinator.

Yes, non-degree seeking students may enroll in some classes; this is an excellent way to explore the program and determine whether it is right for you. Non-degree seeking students are restricted to taking no more than six hours, or two courses, before enrolling in a program of study.

There is no thesis requirement for the MPA program. However, MPA students are required to complete a capstone course in which students integrate the core knowledge, skills, and values acquired throughout their coursework and apply it to an actual project completed for an area government or nonprofit agency. The capstone course provides students a hands-on educational experience, while also offering them an opportunity to consult with and contribute their expert analyses and recommendations to a partnering agency that otherwise may not be able to afford these services. Click here to see previous MPA student’s capstone projects..

The MPA program offers a limited number of graduate assistantships on a competitive basis. To apply for a graduate assistantship, please contact Dr. Jerry Stevenson at jgstevenson@ualr.edu. Applications for graduate assistantships are accepted during the spring semester for the upcoming academic year.

Appointments are suggested but not required.  We encourage you to meet with any of our faculty, speak with alumni or current students, and perhaps visit a class. Visits can be scheduled by contacting the MPA Coordinator at jgstevenson@ualr.edu. Please allow at least one week to accommodate requests.

MPA GRADUATES, 2022-2023
10% work for the federal government
42% work for state or local government.
33% work for nonprofit organizations
10% work in the private sector
5% status unknown

Employment Statistics 2016-2022 MPA Graduates

Our MPA graduates are employed in the following organizations:

STATE & LOCAL GOVERNMENT

• Arkansas Department of Human Services
• Arkansas Department of Education
• Arkansas Administrative Office of the Courts
• Lonoke County Prosecutor’s Office
• Pulaski County Children’s Protection Center
• City of Little Rock
• Arkansas Bureau of Legislative Research
• Arkansas Department of Human Resources
• Arkansas Game and Fish Commission
• State of Arkansas, Division of Public Schools
• Arkansas Department of Information Services
• North Little Rock School District
• Little Rock Police Department, Neighborhood Watch
• City of Little Rock, Mayor’s Office
• City of Little Rock, Parks and Recreation
• City of Little Rock, Port Authority

NONPROFIT/NGOs

• The Centers for Youth and Families
• Arkansas Prostate Cancer Foundation
• Heifer International
• Arkansas Blue Cross Blue Shield
• Arkansas Children’s Hospital
• FirstGroup America
• University of Arkansas Medical Sciences
• Rockefeller Cancer Institute, UAMS
• Arkansas Human Rights Commission
• Youth Home
• National Association of Housing & Redevelopment Officials
• Glenwood Academy, Greater Chicago Area
• Saline Memorial Hospital
• Arkansas Osteopathic Medical Association
• Winrock International
• United Cerebral Palsy
• American Childhood Cancer Organization
• Arkansas Symphony Orchestra
• City Year
• Our House, Inc.
• Health Teacher, Inc.
• Parent Institute for Quality Education

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT

• U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency
• U.S. State Department
• U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation
• U.S. Veterans Administration

PURSUING ADDITIONAL EDUCATION

• Clinton School of Public Service
• University of Arkansas, Ph.D. in Public Policy
• The New School, Manhattan New York

PRIVATE

• Zimmerman’s Sport Center
• Walmart Global HR Operations
• Attorney, Private Law Firm
• State Farm Insurance
• Maverick Trucking Company

Higher Education Organizations

• Hendrix College
• University of Evansville, Illinois
• Arkansas Public Administration Consortium, UA Little Rock
• University of Central Oklahoma
• University of Arkansas at Little Rock