Academic Programs

• Students acquire hands-on experience through capstone projects and real-world work opportunities. A recent capstone group of students had the opportunity to create an innovative proposal addressing the needs of a local economic development agency. They earned second place at the 16th Annual Affordable Housing Development Competition.
• Students can participate in a one-semester exchange program with the University of Amsterdam’s Urban Studies Research master’s program.
• Students can earn a graduate certificate at no additional cost in these focus areas: nonprofit sector, public policy analysis, urban analytics, and urban studies.
• An optional concentration in Healthcare Management and Policy is available to students in the Master of Public Administration program. It is designed to enable students to develop a deeper understanding of the contemporary healthcare sector, including the intricacies of U.S. health policy and competencies in healthcare management. The concentration comprises three courses, one from each of three focus areas: health management, health policy, and health elective.

The MPA program at Northeastern University is accredited by the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA), the membership association of graduate programs in public administration, public policy, public affairs, and public and nonprofit management.

The MPA program is directed toward developing the analytical, conceptual, and practical competencies required for successful careers in public administration. The ultimate goal is to prepare students to be effective in a dynamic and increasingly diverse professional environment. This includes assisting students in every possible way to secure internships, post-graduate employment, and overall career advancement.

Learn more about career outcomes with an MPA.

Our MPA graduates are empowered to make a difference across disciplines and around the world. They leave Northeastern with the theoretical and fundamental understanding needed to transition into their careers and to immediately participate in and contribute to the policy process in their chosen field. Our graduates go on to careers as town administrators, management analysts, research analysts, and program directors. A recent survey of MPA alumni concluded that 24% of recent graduates are working the nonprofit sector, 38% in the public sector, and 21% in the private sector.

• More than 9,000 Northeastern alumni and family live and work in the National Capital Region.
• Students benefit from the small-campus setting: smaller class sizes, direct access to professors, and strong connections with their cohort.
• Programs are structured to build internship placements (co-ops) into your course of study, along with other integrated industry-focused coursework to build a strong professional portfolio.
• Located in the Arlington Tower, our brand-new facility has a modern and open design with ample student space for classes, socializing, and studying. 

Northeastern aligns education and research with global and regional needs. In Arlington—a hub of technical innovation, security, defense, and policy—we partner with government, industry, and nonprofits to prepare learners for leadership in jobs of the future.

We’re centrally located in the heart of the National Capital Region in Rosslyn, one of Arlington County’s most vibrant neighborhoods at 17th Street North in the Arlington Tower. Our campus features state-of-the-art flexible learning spaces and areas to collaborate, study, network with peers or employers, and host or attend community events. Additionally, the building also includes a rooftop gathering space with stunning views of Arlington, VA, and Washington, DC. The campus is also home to the Kostas Research Institute for Homeland Security.