How To Apply

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.

MPA Public Policy 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.

MPA Program in Inspection and Oversight

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.

Students applying to the Master of Public Administration in Public Policy and Administration and Inspection and Oversight (on-campus or online) programs should have a minimum undergraduate cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher. In addition, applicants should have completed 12-18 undergraduate credits in the social sciences, including undergraduate statistics.

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The Graduate Admissions Committee seeks students whose writing skills and record of performance at the undergraduate level indicate they are likely to do well in graduate school. Students may be conditionally admitted but must complete the required courses within the first year of the program unless a Degree Completion Plan approved by the program director provides otherwise.

Dual Degrees

Both programs are also offered through John Jay College’s Bachelors/Masters combined program. Either MPA program may be combined with the Bachelor 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.