student sitting at table smiling with hands holding a large note filled notebook

Public Administration

Advancing Your Career

Our certificate and master's programs prepare pre-career and mid-career professionals for dynamic and impactful work in the public and nonprofit sectors by developing a core set of skills, scholarly knowledge, and applied and basic research. In all of our core classes, we emphasize the need for integrity, ethical conduct, serving the public interest, fairness, accountability and transparency in public service. Graduates serve as city managers, budget directors and policy analysts, to name just a few careers.

The Only

NASPAA-accredited

MPA program in Montana

Top 20

Best Value MPA Program in the nation

2.2 Years

on average to complete degree

Other Public Administration Degree Options at UM

Take a Virtual Tour of the Alexander Blewett III School of Law

Outside the Classroom

Meeting

Pi Alpha Alpha

University of Montana’s Chapter of Pi Alpha Alpha (UMPAA) fosters innovative applied learning experiences and scholarship in public administration, policy and affairs. By serving the students, alumni and associates of the University of Montana, UMPAA strives to enhance the experiences of its members and community by providing opportunities for professional development, applied learning and networking through academic and professional support.

Also in the Law School

A teepee on The Oval on the University of Montana campus on a sunny day.

Summer Indian Law Program

Study Indian Law during the Summer! Each year, participants learn from an accomplished faculty of Indian law scholars and practitioners representing institutions and organizations across the country. Courses may be taken individually or as part of the complete program, and all are cross-listed for graduate credit.

Alumni

Take a look at what our graduates are saying about our programs.

  • Shelby Moore

    Shelby Moore

    Executive Director at Heartlinks Hospice and Pallative Care

    MPA, Nonprofit Administration

    “I was privileged to learn from Dr. Rinfret and Dr. Brewer. They always taught courses with angles that were applicable to the nonprofit sector. I think about those case studies all the time, and they’re relevant in my work every day.”

  • Sam Scott

    Sam Scott

    “The MPA Program has been an amazing experience, helping me to better serve my community and become a more effective public servant.”

  • Kali Wicks

    Kali Wicks

    Blue Cross and Blue Shield

    MPA

    “I love what I do, I love policy development, I love meeting with people and hearing different ideas and working on solutions. On the city commission, I learn something new every day and really enjoy interacting with people in the community.”

  • Kat Cowley

    Kat Cowley

    Founder, UM Food Pantry Supervisor

    MPA

    “There just weren’t resources available. So I wanted to make sure that we had resources, and that I could be there to give my lived experience.”

Shelby Moore

Shelby Moore

Executive Director at Heartlinks Hospice and Pallative Care

MPA, Nonprofit Administration

“I was privileged to learn from Dr. Rinfret and Dr. Brewer. They always taught courses with angles that were applicable to the nonprofit sector. I think about those case studies all the time, and they’re relevant in my work every day.”

Sam Scott

Sam Scott

“The MPA Program has been an amazing experience, helping me to better serve my community and become a more effective public servant.”

Kali Wicks

Kali Wicks

Blue Cross and Blue Shield

MPA

“I love what I do, I love policy development, I love meeting with people and hearing different ideas and working on solutions. On the city commission, I learn something new every day and really enjoy interacting with people in the community.”

Kat Cowley

Kat Cowley

Founder, UM Food Pantry Supervisor

MPA

“There just weren’t resources available. So I wanted to make sure that we had resources, and that I could be there to give my lived experience.”