About us
A degree from the John Glenn College of Public Affairs offers you a wide array of career options that engage you in work that matters. Whether you see yourself in a senior role at the U.S. State Department, as an agency head in state government, as a city manager, or as an advocate in a nonprofit organization, our program will help prepare you for success.
The rigorous, hands-on curriculum provided by the Glenn College will give you the skills and tools you need to thrive in careers at all levels of government and in the not-for-profit sector.
As a graduate student, you will have all the benefits of a collegial, high-quality graduate program located within a large, research institution. Our program fosters close relationships among students, staff, and faculty. Our attractive and comfortable facility creates an environment conducive to learning and to creating dialogue between students and policymakers on the pressing issues of the day.
You will also draw upon the vast resources of one of the world’s largest, most diverse research universities. Whether this means pursuing a dual degree, working in one of many interdisciplinary policy centers, or participating in a myriad of public forums and lectures, Ohio State has what you need to grow and succeed.
The Master of Public Administration (MPA) program consists of a two-year full-time course of study that prepares students for leadership and analytical positions in the public and nonprofit sectors. The core curriculum is designed to provide a solid grounding in the study of public policy, economics, management and leadership, and data analysis.
During your first year, our Student Services office will work with you to obtain an internship where you can put your acquired skills and knowledge to use. The second year of the program allows you to focus on a particular policy issue area of interest or further develop a specific skill set. Our staff will work with you to devise an individualized curriculum based on your academic interests and career goals.