John Jay College of Criminal Justice offers two Master of Public Administration programs. Both programs require 42 credits of graduate study, and both are accredited by the National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration.
The MPA-PPA program at John Jay College of Criminal Justice equips future public servants with the knowledge, skills, and leadership experiences necessary for the advancement of integrity, accountability, inclusiveness, and justice in society and governance. The program celebrates the diversity of our students, including those underrepresented in the leadership of public service.
The program offers specializations in Management and Operations, Human Resources Management, Law and Public Management, Criminal Justice Policy and Administration, Emergency Management, Court Administration and Urban Affairs.
The MPA-IO program at John Jay College of Criminal Justice equips future public servants with the knowledge, skills, and leadership experiences necessary for the advancement of integrity, accountability, inclusiveness, and justice in society and governance. The program celebrates the diversity of our students, including those underrepresented in the leadership of public service.
The program offers specializations in Forensic Accounting, International Inspection and Oversight, Investigation and Operational Inspection, Organizational Assessment and Monitoring, Law and Inspection and Oversight, and Independent and Contractual Inspection and Oversight.
The programs share common foundation courses, and a student admitted to one program can transfer to the other program without special approval or application fees.
The programs are offered in several formats and venues.
Both programs are offered in a traditional campus-based classroom mode. Classes take place Monday-Thursday evenings. Many courses are also offered online.
Many courses are offered on Saturdays, and it is possible to complete the MPA in Public Policy and Administration, with either the Human Resources Management specialization or the Management and Operations specialization, by taking all courses on Saturdays.
The MPA Program in Public Policy and Administration is also offered through an extension program at the campus of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, which is north of the New York City metropolitan area. Military personnel and their family members, as well as civilians, are eligible to attend courses at this location.
The MPA in Inspection and Oversight is also offered in a fully-online format. Information on this program format is available at John Jay Online.
Both programs are also offered through John Jay College's Bachelors/Masters combined program. Either MPA program is combined with the Bachelors of Science degree in Public Administration or Criminal Justice Management. Admission is highly competitive. Information on this program format is available here.
The MPA in Inspection and oversight can be completed as part of a JD/MPA dual degree program with the CUNY law school. Information about this program option is available here: JD/MPA in Law and Public Accountability.
*There is no executive or fast-track program format.
Admission Criteria: Information about admission criteria is available at: Admissions.
Faculty: Information about faculty is the program is available at Department of Public Management.
Tuition and Fees: Information about tuition and fees is available at Tuition and Fees.
Financial Aid: Information about Financial Aid is available at Financial Aid. Additional information about financial support offered through the Differential Tuition program is available at the MPA CUNY Commons Website.
Internships: Information about internship opportunities and placements is available at the MPA CUNY Commons Website.
Full-time versus part-time: During Fall 2018, there were 668 students in the two programs (MPA-PPA and MPA-IO). 64% of our students are part-time students.
Wage report: Holders of Master’s Degrees in Public Administration and in the Social Services professions from John Jay College of Criminal Justice earn a median wage of $56,550 one year after graduation and $61,970 three years after graduation, shown by a 2018 study based on New York State Department of Labor and City University of New York data.
Graduation rates: 309 students were initially enrolled in AY 2016-2017. 13% of the students graduated within two years; 55% graduated within four years; and 66% persisting to graduation after 4 years.
Employment Placements: 179 of our students received MPA degrees during the spring and summer 2022 semesters. A survey from the graduating cohort (6 months after graduation) produced 165 responses from that group (93% response rate). Thus, there were 14 unknown placements. Of those who have responded to the survey, 95% of the graduates are employed.
Breakdown for Employed Graduates: The breakdown for graduates by sector and salary is in the charts below:
Advising: Appointments with advisors can be scheduled here at MPA Advising.