Acquire your Master’s in Public Administration Online: No GRE Necessary

Securing an online Master of Public Administration, (MPA), can get you one step closer to achieving your career aspirations. Whether you aspire to a career in government, civil service, or non-profit organizations, Noodle can guide you to the program that will get you theree, with no GRE required.

If you already have a busy schedule, you may be considering fulfilling your degree requirements remotely and taking advantage of the flexibility of an online Master of Public Administration (MPA) program. But taking the GRE might still seem like a hurdle to overcome on your path to graduate school. There are many reasons why ayou might want to pursue an online MPA with no GRE requirement. This article will present some issues to consider when looking for accredited schools that offer an online MPA degree with no GRE.

Online MPA programs with No GRE requirements

It’s quite possible to earn your MPA online in as little as two years, and many online MPA degree programs have no GRE requirement. This can save you time and money.

It’s essential to make sure the online MPA program you select is accredited by the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration, (or NASPAA). Many MPA programs have been selected for accreditation. View a full list of NASPAA accredited MPA programs here.

While taking the GRE may be standard procedure in some programs and majors, this exam requirement is not universal. Deciding to pursue your MPA is a major undertaking; needing to study for and take the GRE will be one of many factors to consider as you select your program.

Each college has its own reasons for offering an MPA program without a GRE requirement. Some criticize the GRE, arguing that this standardized graduate entrance test doesn’t accurately predict academic success. Others believe the GRE has a bias that favors prospective students from wealthy backgrounds.

Pros and cons to consider when evaluating programs

There are several different program features that might impact your decision to acquire your online Master of Public Administration from a specific school. Here are some examples of important factors to take into consideration:

Timeframe

The average time period to complete this degree is two years, although some programs take slightly less time. Personal circumstances such as a full-time job or a family may mean that you will have to limit the number of credit hours you take each semester, which will slow the process.

Quality

According to an article from US News and World Report, there are five main questions that can help you gauge the quality of an online MPA program:

• Will your online MPA require any in-person visits to campus?
• Is it a NASPAA-accredited program?
• How is the university’s on-campus program viewed in its region?
• Does the online MPA program teach practical skills that can be utilized in the real world?
• How does this online MPA program foster a sense of community?

Online MPA rankings

Many sources rank colleges with online MPA programs. While rankings might factor into your decision making, it is important that you also check for accreditation by NASPAA. You might also be interested in salary-related data for your particular college. College Scorecard is a good place to start when looking for that information.

Program cost is usually factored into master’s program rankings. If cost will impact your decision regarding an online MPA program, keep reading.

Reputation

A school’s reputation is important, particularly as it relates to networking and career development, but reputation isn’t everything. Some things to remember as they relate to reputation include looking at various rankings of colleges to see where your favorites fall on the list, ensuring that any program you’re considering is fully accredited, and speaking to people who have completed the program to see if they believe it was valuable. Completing these tasks will get you well on your way to an MPA program that has a great reputation.

Cost

Acquiring your online MPA degree is an investment in your future, so you’ll want to consider whether it will yield a good return on investment, or ROI. As such, the cost of obtaining the degree will be a major factor in your decision whether to pursue it or not.

Cost from one university to another varies widely. An online MPA can cost anywhere from $20,000 to $75,000. If you’re wondering how much a particular program will cost, take a look at the university’s tuition per credit hour. Calculate the total cost of your online MPA based on the number of credits required, and use this data to make your decision easier.

Beginning your online MPA search

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

• The online MPA program at University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill has many benefits for students and graduates. According to the University of North Carolina website, US News and World Report ranked this university’s MPA program third in the US in the area of local government management.
• However, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill does prefer (although it does not require) for students to take the GRE. This may be a drawback for those seeking to avoid this examination.

Rutgers University

• Rutgers University’s School of Public Management/Administrations is ranked thirteenth in the nation by US News & World Report.
• GRE scores are not required for applicants with undergraduate GPAs of 3.0 or above.

University of Illinois, Springfield

• The online MPA at this university is comprised of a 36 semester hour curriculum, and is similar to the on-campus version. This typically takes approximately two years.
• No on campus visits are required.
• GRE scores are not a requirement for this online MPA, but may be helpful if your GPA as an undergraduate was lower than desired.

Final thoughts

If you want to obtain your online MPA without taking the GRE, you will find yourself performing a balancing act to find a program that offers all you’re looking for. You definitely don’t want to compromise on the NASPAA accreditation, because that determines the value of your education.

An online MPA degree can be a truly great investment — especially if it comes from a good school that was carefully selected. Being able to skip the GRE might be a large factor in your decision to pursue a particular online MPA program.

Questions or feedback? Email editor@noodle.com