Department of Public Administration

Grow the Next Generation of Public Service Leaders

If public service resonates with you, know that Public Administration is the home for growing public service leaders at NIU.

At NIU’s Department of Public Administration, students move beyond the classroom and into real organizations. They work in municipalities, counties, and nonprofits while completing their degree, building experience in budgeting, planning, and management before they graduate.

Our MPA program is nationally ranked, including #4 in Local Government Management and #11 in Public Finance and Budgeting, reflecting the strength of both our faculty and our graduates.

A defining and nationally unique feature of our Master of Public Administration program is a 21-month paid internship that places students in local governments and nonprofit organizations throughout their degree. This model leads directly to employment and ensures our program remains among the most accessible in the nation for first-generation and lower-income students. More than 95 percent of graduates secure positions within three months, often with their internship host.

We are also proud to meet students where they are at in their learning journeys. Our undergraduate degree completion program in Public Service Leadership allows mid-career students to quickly earn a B.S. and accelerate their career. Our fully online MPA degree provides flexibility to mid-career students at the graduate level. And our traditional MPA—with a history reaching back nearly seven decades—ensures an enriching in-person classroom experience. Across all these offerings, we emphasize not just theoretical learning but applied, practical learning.

Why Give to Public Administration During Huskies United?

Your generosity allows us to:

• Support professional development and network-building experiences for students through travel to regional, state, and national events.
• Provide field trips and study abroad experiences that enrich learning.
• Expand the internship program by subsidizing municipalities and nonprofits with fewer resources.
• Continue to grow enrollments through enhanced recruitment travel and events.
• Strengthen our national rankings through faculty visibility at national and international conferences.

Why It Matters

Graduates of this program serve in municipalities, counties, and nonprofit organizations across the state and beyond. They take on roles in management, analysis, and service delivery early in their careers, and progress rapidly into leadership positions. When you see innovations—especially at the local level—chances are that an NIU MPA student was involved.

Join Us

Every gift matters. If you are unable to financially support us at this time, we encourage you to reach out about opportunities for supporting us through your time and talent at publicadm@niu.edu.