School of Public Affairs and Administration
Where Service Meets Leadership
The School of Public Affairs and Administration (SPAA) at Rutgers University–Newark prepares students to lead and manage in public and nonprofit administration positions, understand policy, make critical analyses and decisions, and communicate and interact proactively with a diverse community and workforce.
Best public management and leadership graduate programs
U.S. News & World Report
Highly innovative degree and certificate programs
Best nonprofit management graduate programs
U.S. News & World Report
Worldwide in public administration in global ranking of academic subjects
ShanghaiRanking Consultancy
Master of Public Administration (MPA)
The Master of Public Administration program provides the cutting-edge knowledge and professional skills needed for successful careers in government, the nonprofit sector, international organizations, and even the corporate world. Students become competent in leadership and management, the policy process, evidence-based decision-making, public service values, and interacting productively with a diverse workforce and society.
Program Quick Facts
- Location: on campus, 100% Online, or hybrid
- Program: full-time or part-time
- Courses: 14 (7 core courses / 6 elective courses / 1 capstone)
- Credits: 42 (21 core credits / 18 elective credits / 3 capstone credits)
- Options: public management track or nonprofit management track, plus specializations
Top-Ranked Public and Nonprofit Management Programs
The School of Public Affairs and Administration educates and motivates students through innovative, comprehensive undergraduate and graduate degree programs, as well as professional and graduate certificates. Students from across the region and around the globe come to the School of Public Affairs and Administration to experience a world-class education from renowned faculty, to learn cutting-edge knowledge and skills, to advance their careers, and to help create a better world.
Program Spotlight: PhD in Public Administration
The PhD in Public Administration at Rutgers SPAA fosters a comprehensive understanding of the theoretical knowledge and analytical skills needed to excel in the dynamic field of public affairs, administration, and policy. Through rigorous coursework and research training, students are well prepared for careers as professors, researchers, nonprofit executives or government officials, and to contribute to the intellectual and creative capacities of the organizations and institutions they serve.
Program Quick Facts
- Program: full-time or part-time
- Credits: 60 (48 course work / 12 dissertation research)
- Funding: Three to five Research Assistantships (RAs) and Teaching Assistantships (TAs) are provided for qualified full-time students in each cohort
Rutgers SPAA: An Asset to the Community
SPAA is an important resource for the state of New Jersey and beyond. We provide practical solutions to public service issues for government and nonprofit practitioners and assist with addressing community-identified concerns.
We collaborate with community-based, nonprofit, and government organizations to develop solutions to problems and substantive resources to make a difference. SPAA is a valued partner to entities across disciplines, which provides students with diverse engagement initiatives, offers outreach activities that supplement their classroom learning, and helps them on their journey to becoming well-rounded public servants.
Discover the School of Public Affairs and Administration
With an emphasis on public service values and competencies for effective performance, the School of Public Affairs and Administration promotes accountability, transparency, and performance in the public and nonprofit sectors.
