WKU News

The Department of Political Science recently celebrated the 50th Anniversary of the Master of Public Administration at WKU. Originally known as the Master of Public Service, the MPA program is NASPAA accredited. The MPA program prepares graduate students to be productive leaders and managers in public service by sharing knowledge, encouraging excellence in research and practice, and fostering an environment of professionalism within the diverse communities we serve. In addition, the MPA, the Department of Political Science offers a graduate certificate in Local Government Administration.

The MPA program offers a Commonwealth State & Local Government Employee Discount to government employees across Kentucky. Qualified employees are eligible for a discounted tuition rate of $500 per credit hour. The discount is also available to government employees working in Northern Tennessee.

To learn more about the MPA program, the Local Government Administration Certificate, or the government employee discount, please visit https://www.wku.edu/political-science/mpa-program/ or email mpa@wku.edu.

MPA Alumni Testimonials:

Brent Childers, Director of Neighborhood & Community Services for the City of Bowling Green -- “The MPA program allowed me to learn how much opportunity there was in public service. I got to engage with people that did very different jobs and worked at different organizations, but all have the commonality of providing services to the public.”

Hannah Gray, Director of Community Impact at United Way of Southern Kentucky -- “I loved my time as an MPA student at WKU. The small class sizes allowed for intimate and productive group discussions. The versatility of the degree allowed for exploration of both nonprofit and government work, and I achieved work experience in both sectors during my time in the program.”

Cierra Waller, Associate Director for Student Success at WKU’s Center for Innovative Teaching & Learning -- “The MPA program gave me the unique opportunity to work on campaigns, conduct research with program faculty, present at conferences, lead classes, and take classes led by public officials. These experiences provided me with firsthand insights into public service and governance, deepening my understanding of public administration in real-world applications.”