Welcome to the Department of Public Administration at the University of Illinois at Chicago. I encourage you to take a closer look at our department, whether you are looking for a Ph.D. program, a Master of Public Administration degree, or an innovative undergraduate program in Urban and Public Affairs ; whether you are a government or nonprofit organization seeking university partnerships.We are highly-ranked in research, effective in our teaching, and relevant to policy and practice in the nation and the community. Our department was ranked 2nd among public universities and 8th overall in a nationwide study of public administration and policy programs that focuses on research productivity. U.S. News and World Report also ranked our department 6th in city management and 21st in financial management. Our MPA program is accredited by the National School of Public Affairs and Administration (NASPAA).

Our faculty conduct cutting-edge research in e-government, science and technology policy, financial management, urban policy, nonprofit management, public management, and more. We bring this knowledge into the classroom and offer students a chance to be involved with us in research, especially within the doctoral program. We are located in the College of Urban Planning and Public Affairs, which has 8 research centers, and in the University of Illinois at Chicago, which is a Carnegie Research-Intensive institution.

Close connections with practice enrich our programs. We are engaged in government and community in applied research, internships and capstone projects. Many faculty members have experience working in governments and nonprofits. Our MPA students are well-prepared for a variety of positions, including White House internships, the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the Illinois Student Assistance Corporation, local governments nearby like the Village of Deerfield, and further away, like the City Manager of Morgantown, West Virgina. Our doctoral students have worked at Rand Corporation, the World Bank, and in tenure-track positions at research universities.

Just outside of Chicago’s Loop, we are at the heart of a thriving, exciting, and diverse city. The Chicago region has more local governments than any other metropolitan area in the U.S., many federal and state agencies, and nonprofit organizations that range from neighborhood groups to major foundations. We are ideally situated to contribute to public service here in the Chicago area and beyond.

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions, and thanks for taking an interest in our department!

Dr. Karen Mossberger, Head of the Department of Public Administration