Master of Public Administration and Leadership

MPAL alumni and students collaborate over presentation on laptop.
Next Application Deadline:
June 1, 2026
Credit hours: 32
Next Term Start Date:
August 25, 2026

Lead with purpose. Serve with impact.

The online Master of Public Administration and Leadership (MPAL) at The Ohio State University’s John Glenn College of Public Affairs prepares mid-career missiondriven professionals to lead with confidence, clarity, and integrity. This flexible, career-focused online public administration master’s degree blends applied leadership training with practical management skills, helping you become the kind of leader who strengthens communities and drives meaningful change. 

Students in the online MPAL program come from government agencies, nonprofits, healthcare organizations, military service, law enforcement, and privatesector roles that intersect with public service. No matter your path, this program will help you grow into a leader who solves real problems and communicates with purpose. 

To support working professionals, Ohio State’s online MPAL offers a learning format to fit your life. You’ll benefit from 100% online coursework, flexible asynchronous learning, opportunities to apply new skills immediately on the job, and supportive faculty and advisors who understand the demands of balancing graduate study with professional and personal commitments. 

Why pursue an executive master of public administration at Ohio State?

Choose a leadership degree built for realworld impact 

The online Master of Public Administration and Leadership blends the rigor of a public administration degree with practical leadership training grounded in realworld public service. What sets the John Glenn College apart is a teaching philosophy that emphasizes putting the service back into public service. Here, you will learn to lead with integrity, clarity, and purpose — all values inspired by Senator John Glenn’s lifelong commitment to serving others. 

The MPAL program shapes not only what you know but the kind of leader you’re ready to become, strengthening your expertise and preparing you to inspire action and elevate your community.


Drawing on deep experience across government, nonprofits, private sectors, military leadership, and community organizations, Ohio State faculty serve as hands
on mentors who guide you through realworld challenges and help you grow as a purposedriven leader. 
MPAL graduates become:

  • Public problem solvers who strengthen systems 
  • Ethical leaders who make confident, informed decisions
  • Strategic communicators who guide teams through change
  • Communityfocused professionals driven by service and impact 

These are the leadership qualities emphasized across the program and consistently demonstrated by graduates who apply MPAL skills directly in their careers.  

Supporting military students

Through the Service to Service initiative at the John Glenn College, veterans and military connected learners gain tailored advising, transition support, and career resources designed to help them move into meaningful civilian leadership roles. This national program reflects Ohio State’s role in expanding public service pathways for those who have served their country. 

Register for an upcoming info session

  • Public Affairs Graduate Programs Info Session: March 9, 12 p.m. ET

    03/09/2026 at 12:00 pm
    Register now
  • Public Affairs Graduate Programs Info Session: April 17, 12 p.m. ET

    04/17/2026 at 12:00 pm
    Register now

Autumn 2025 Incoming Class

Designed for mid-career professionals, MPAL offers a unique opportunity to learn from and collaborate with a diverse group of peers. Our students bring a wealth of experience to the classroom, with an average of 13.2 years of post-baccalaureate professional experience. In 2025, Ohio State welcomed 29 new students from across 7 states, all eager to make a positive impact and become more effective leaders.

Infographic displaying attributes of the Autumn 2025 class, with 29 students with an average of 13.2 years of professional experience across 7 states.

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Programs

Whether you’re exploring professional development opportunities or building a strong foundation for a pursuing master’s degree, our graduate certificates offer in-demand skills in a flexible format. 100% of credits transfer to our online Master of Public Administration and Leadership or Master of Public Administration program.

All graduate certificates require a bachelor’s degree for admission.

Academic Calendar

The MPAL program offers both Spring and Autumn terms. To enroll in the Spring term, please submit your application by the November 15 deadline. For Autumn enrollment, the application deadline is in June.

Academic Calendar

The MPAL program offers both Spring and Autumn terms. To enroll in the Spring term, please submit your application by the November 15 deadline. For Autumn enrollment, the application deadline is in June.

Admission Criteria

To be considered for admission to this program, applicants must meet the following requirements:

  • Bachelor’s Degree
  • 3+ years of post-baccalaureate experience in administrative or analytical roles, with evidence of increasing responsibility over time. Experience is assessed on an individual basis and may include:
    • Administrative:
      • Managing personnel decisions, such as hiring, supervising, or evaluating staff.
      • Overseeing day-to-day program or organizational operations.
      • Formulating or managing budgets within an organization.
    • Analytical:
      • Conducting research and preparing reports to support organizational decision-making.
      • Holding a previous master’s degree.

To ensure you meet these criteria, please be prepared to submit a current resume before starting your application. Our Enrollment Advisor’s are here to help guide you through the process if you have questions about your qualifications. Bringing this experience into the MPAL program offers a dynamic learning environment where you can expand your knowledge and gain valuable insights from a diverse cohort of peers.

For your application, you will be required to submit:

  • College transcript(s) from all institutions attended
  • Minimum 3.0 GPA highly recommended. If you have a GPA under a 3.0, it is strongly encouraged to provide additional evidence of academic success.
  • Statement of purpose
  • Resume or CV
  • 3 letters of recommendation

2024 Incoming Class

Our students bring a wealth of experience to the classroom, with an average of 12.5 years of post-baccalaureate professional experience. In 2024, Ohio State welcomed 25 new students from across 7 states, all eager to make a positive impact and become more effective leaders.

2024 incoming class profile for the MPAL program. 25 students are enrolled, with 12.5 years of professional experience across 7 states.
NC-SARA Participating Institution logo

The Ohio State University participates in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA).

SARA is a national initiative that increases student access to distance education courses and programs while maintaining compliance with state regulations. Institutions participating in SARA can offer educational opportunities in all 49 SARA member states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico without seeking individual approval in each state.

California is not a SARA member state, however, OSU may offer online courses and programs to students located in California under the California Private Post-Secondary Act of 2009.

The Application Process

Once you understand your program’s admission criteria, please note the application deadline. You’ll need a quiet space and a variety of materials for your application. To learn more, please see our Admissions page for the full process. Ready to Apply? Find your application here.

Career Outlook

As boomers hold a significant portion of public sector jobs and fill many managerial leadership roles, the need for qualified professionals to advance into these vacancies is critical upon their retirement. This online leadership degree is positioned to effectively prepare you to step into essential positions within the public sector.

MPAL graduates move into leadership roles across government, nonprofit, public safety, military, and policy-focused organizations. The curriculum equips you with the practical skills and ethical leadership mindset needed to advance in roles that shape communities and influence public outcomes. 

Career paths with a leadership MPA: 

  • City and county administration 
  • Public service management 
  • Nonprofit and NGO leadership 
  • Program or project management 
  • Community development and planning 
  • Government relations and public affairs 
  • Policy analysis and implementation 
  • Military-to-civilian public service transitions 
  • Public safety and emergency management leadership 

Top Occupations by Median Income

National occupational information in Ohio State Online’s Career Outlook tool is sourced from O*NET Online and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The median annual wage displayed to the right of each occupational title above is based on the BLS Employment Projections program. Outlook and percent change indicate projected growth or decline over the next 10 years.

Curriculum

The MPAL curriculum blends public administration fundamentals with leadership development, preparing you to lead teams, evaluate policy, manage programs, and serve communities effectively. 

The curriculum focuses on core areas essential for public service leadership: 

  • Leadership and organizational management 
  • Public budgeting and financial management 
  • Strategic communication for public leaders 
  • Policy analysis and implementation 
  • Decision-making in complex environments 
  • Ethics and accountability in public service 
  • Managing people, teams, and community relationships 

How you’ll learn 

The MPAL curriculum emphasizes real-world impact. As an online student you will collaborate with your peers to complete projects involving public organizations, nonprofit partners, community stakeholders, or service-related initiatives. Faculty design assignments that mirror the challenges public service leaders face daily, giving you the confidence to apply new skills immediately in your role. 

Understanding Online Course Types

As you research the right online program for you, you likely will come across the terms “asynchronous” and “synchronous.” Learn what these terms mean and how they’re important to consider when understanding how a program will fit into your life.

Learn More

Diagram explaining the differences between synchronous and asynchronous online courses.

Program Faculty

Featured Faculty

Todd is a faculty member at Ohio State for the MPA program.

Todd Suddeth

Senior Lecturer
Christi Bartman, senior lecturer at Ohio State

Christi Bartman

Senior Lecturer
AnnaBell , MPAL alum, holding a padfolio.

“The COVID-19 pandemic hit in my second semester and exposed us to many examples of public leadership in times of crisis. My professors used current events, data and crisis-decision making throughout their teaching. The projects in their classes often asked us to use a real-life decision we had to make in our own jobs because of the pandemic. This hands-on experience demonstrated public management theories and best practices in real time.”

AnnaBell K., MPAL Graduate

Blake is a police detective and graduate of the MPAL program.

"When comparing programs, the MPAL degree through the Glenn College at Ohio State stood out because it had leadership as a cornerstone of the curriculum. Not only do students learn the fundamentals of administration within the public sector such as budgeting and contracts, but they are also taught what good leadership entails."

Blake Petty MPAL Grad
Katie is a graduate of the MPAL program.

"The MPAL program has already opened new career options, and I have met a wonderful diverse group of people. The ability to engage and share experiences with peers across the country through the MPAL is something I truly appreciate and value."

Katie Laux MPAL Grad
Kidron is a graduate of the MPAL program.

"I was most impressed by the breadth and depth of experience held by my peers in the program. Together, we learned from one another’s diverse backgrounds and created a life-long network of professionals across the county."

Kidron Stamper MPAL Grad
Roy is an MPAL student and Emergency Management and Fire Prevention Coordinator.

"I have really liked the specialization track courses: Project Management and Performance Management. Parts of the foundational courses were well done as well. The classmates have been amazing and it has been a real highlight of the program."

Roy E. Emergency Management and Fire Prevention Coordinator, MPAL student

Get Started

Connect with a knowledgeable Enrollment Advisor who can help answer your questions and explain different aspects of the more than 80 online degrees and certificates offered at Ohio State. They are here to help you on your education journey.

Contact an Enrollment Advisor
Lady smiling typing at a laptop on a desk.