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Newsweek's 2025 Best Online Colleges

Online

Master of
Public Administration (MPA)
Online

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Wall Street Journal ranks Cornerstone University as one of America's best colleges 2025.

100%
Online
Transfer Friendly
Transfer up to 75% of your program credits

Boldly Influence Nonprofit Organizations With an MPA Online Degree

Demand is growing for practical, knowledgeable, and moral solutions from public service leaders. Our nonprofit-focused Master of Public Administration degree equips you with skills in leadership, financial management, public policy, and strategic planning to effectively lead mission-driven organizations. With Christian worldview principles integrated throughout our program, you can increase your capabilities to serve the nonprofit and public sectors as a bold, influential leader. Earn one of the nation’s most affordable, accredited MPAs 100% online.

Develop Market-Ready Skills for Public Administration Degree Professionals

Cornerstone’s 36-credit-hour career-focused MPA program helps you build a strong resume to work in government, nonprofit, and education sectors with these essential skills:

Public Policy Analysis – Understand and evaluate policies that impact nonprofit work and community engagement.

Organizational Leadership – Lead teams and manage change effectively within mission-driven organizations.

Financial Management – Plan and oversee budgets, grants, and nonprofit financial operations with transparency and accountability.

Marketing and Outreach – Develop strategies to increase visibility, engage stakeholders, and promote your organization’s mission.

Human Resources Management – Recruit, manage, and support staff and volunteers in alignment with organizational values.

Fundraising and Advancement – Build donor relationships, write grants, and manage campaigns to support sustainable growth.

Strategic Communication – Communicate effectively with diverse audiences, from boards to the public, to internal teams.

Decision-Making and Problem-Solving – Use data, ethics, and critical thinking to make informed and mission-aligned decisions.

Christian Worldview & Ethics – Integrate Christ-centered Biblical values into all aspects of public service.

Courses

Cornerstone is ready to help you advance your current or future workplace goals. The courses below reflect just a few of the focused courses in our 36-credit-hour program that apply to a broad range of industries.

Featured Courses

PAD-501: Foundations of Public Policy

Explore the history, legal environment, and public policy framework of the nonprofit sector, including faith-based and secular organizations.

PAD-503: Organizational Leadership

Learn key leadership theories and practices, focusing on motivation, teamwork, communication, and decision-making in organizational settings.

NPL-601: Financial Management

Learn essential accounting and finance principles, including financial statement analysis, budgeting, time value of money, and financial planning.

PAD-603: Organizational Behavior

Examine individual and team dynamics in public organizations, focusing on motivation, culture, leadership and communication.

View all of the courses for your academic program.

Academic Catalog

Influential Careers with a Master of Public Administration (MPA) Degree

  • Policy Analyst
  • City Manager
  • Budget Analyst
  • Public Affairs Specialist
  • Community Health Director
  • Director of Social Services
  • Nonprofit Executive Director
  • Fundraising Manager
  • Public Relations Manager
  • Public Administration Consultant
  • Business Analyst
  • Operations Manager

Tuition

Online

$3,390 per semester for full-time students

Cornerstone University is one of the most affordable private universities in the nation. Our team is ready to help you explore options for financing your education.

File the FAFSA

Your Next Steps

Take your next step toward learning at one of the most affordable Christian universities in the nation.

  1. Submit your free application.
    No GRE or GMAT required.
  2. Submit your transcripts.
    Request your undergraduate transcripts directly from the institution. A completed bachelor’s degree with a minimum 2.7 GPA from an accredited institution is required.
  3. Schedule an Appointment.
    Your admissions counselor is here to guide you. Call us at 616.426.9924.

Cornerstone University

Hours

MON - FRI: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
SAT & SUN: Closed

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