Graduate Testimonials: Online MPA

"While there are many highlights of my experience at Ohio University, one that stands out is the development of the final paper for my portfolio. I was able to choose a topic that was centered on my professional work and take the time to research an area that I found to be incredibly interesting.

If you plan to work in government or have a government-adjacent role, contracting with the public sector or advocating for public policy reform, this program will bring much clarity and understanding to your work. While individuals can attend training and learn through experience, my opinion is that nothing prepares public servants for their role in the same way as an MPA. The online program at Ohio University is a step above.

The MPA program was the perfect complement to my work. At the time, I was positive my role would not intersect with finance, and my career goals could not have been further from a CFO role. As my career has transformed, I work with budgets on a daily basis as a department director. From writing state and federal grants to ensuring my organization’s grantees are on track to meet their goals, public budgeting is an integral competency."

“[This program] gave me the skills to navigate high-stakes public-private partnerships in a way that is meaningful and impactful. It gave me a unique perspective as a for-profit leader to be able to manage partnerships with nonprofits [and drive] a successful bottom line for my business, while filling critical gaps for the nonprofit partners that we work with every day.

During this program I was an active-duty Army officer, and the instructors worked with me every step of the way to ensure that I was able to meet deadlines and requirements, even when my job made it hard for me to access [the] internet or [complete] coursework early. They made it incredibly easy for me to navigate course materials while  working full time. Since graduation five years ago, I have remained in contact with my professors, and they have offered mentorship and guidance as needed.”