PUBLIC SERVICE MANAGEMENT (MS)
Create bold leadership solutions
You know that you want to make a difference by helping solve the problems of our communities and our world. DePaul’s Master of Public Service Management (MPS) is designed to teach you broad-based management skills that lead to careers across many sectors, including nonprofit, governmental agencies, higher education and health care.
You’ll choose a concentration in one of the following areas:
- Emergency Management
- Health Care Administration
- Metropolitan Planning and Urban Affairs
- Standard Concentration
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Flexible formats for any lifestyle
All courses for this program are offered in the evening on the Loop Campus or entirely online. The program can be completed in two years and one additional quarter (including one summer) by following a schedule of two classes per quarter.
Learn more about online classesCertificate options
Online Degree Option
The online Public Service Management (MPS) from DePaul’s College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences offers small class sizes and is taught by the same award-winning faculty you'll find on campus. Tailored to meet the needs of your busy schedule, you'll achieve the same learning outcomes as in-person classes through collaborative and engaged learning.
Connect to public service jobs in Chicago
DePaul’s connection to Chicago and the region gives you firsthand knowledge that prepares you to create real-world, urban solutions. With nonprofit organizations, as well as city, state and federal government offices just steps from our Loop Campus, you’ll find opportunities to work for public and private sector organizations of any size.
Application Deadlines
The School of Public Service has temporarily paused admission for the Master of Public Service. The program will resume accepting applications for the Fall 2024 term in April 2024.?
Admission Requirements
Submit an online application, professional statement, résumé and official transcripts.
Required Courses
You’ll complete eight core courses and five courses of declared concentration work.
93%
of Public Service Management graduates were employed, continuing their education or pursuing other goals within six months of graduation.
$56k
The median salary for Public Service Management graduates was $56,000.
Study with faculty devoted to public service
Professor Raphael Odom has published research on the implications of higher education as a vehicle for good governance, human security and national development in sub-Saharan Africa countries. He has chaired several public service panels and policy research conferences in the U.S. and abroad.
“My degree from SPS allowed me to stand out from the competition and demonstrate added value—advanced skills and expertise in nonprofit management, public policy analysis and strategy development.”
Nicholas (MS ’05)
Director of Government Relations, 1-800Contacts
Alumni Network
You’ll benefit from extensive networking opportunities with DePaul’s strong alumni network, including more than 3,460 School of Public Service alumni. Connect with fellow Public Service Management grads, who typically pursue careers in government, non-profit association management and within various nonprofit organizations.
Hear more from SPS Alumni
Accreditation
DePaul’s Master of Public Service Management program is NASPAA-accredited according to the Commission on Peer Review & Accreditation. Learn more about our accreditation.
Scholarships & Aid
The School of Public Service offers several quarterly scholarship, graduate assistantship and fellowship opportunities. Learn more about the scholarships and opportunities available to you.
Admission Requirements
?The School of Public Service has temporarily paused admission for the Master of Public Service Management?. The program will resume accepting applications for the Fall 2024 term in April 2024.?
To be eligible for the Public Service Management (MPS) program, students must hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university. In addition, successful applicants must demonstrate, through past academic or professional work, a capacity for achievement.
Applicants
International Applicants
Current students may visit Campus Connect for current course information. Prospective students may log on as a guest. Once on Campus Connect please select Course Descriptions followed by the department.
Please note that the information provided is subject to change.
Learn more about Graduate Admission.
The Master of Science in Public Service Management at DePaul University prepares students interested in public service management to serve the common good and advance a just society, in the spirit of St. Vincent de Paul. The MS in Public Service Management offers students a broad-based education with which they can pursue careers in fund raising and philanthropy, health care administration, metropolitan planning and urban affairs, nonprofit administration and public policy.
The degree offers four on-site concentrations: health care administration, metropolitan planning and urban affairs, emergency management, and standard. Three concentrations of this degree can be completed entirely online as well as on-site: metropolitan planning and urban affairs, emergency management, and standard.
This degree is accredited by the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA).
Mission Statement
The MS in Public Service Management degree educates students to work in public, private, and nonprofit organizations. Through our cross-sectoral approach to learning, research, and service our students learn to connect domestic and global issues, alleviate poverty, and build responsive and responsible service organizations. We promote compassion for marginalized communities , ethical leadership and service to all people with integrity, accountability, justice, professionalism, sensitivity, and transparency.
| Program Requirements | Quarter Hours |
|---|---|
| Core Requirements | 32 |
| Concentration Requirements | 20 |
| Total hours required | 52 |
The MS in Public Service Management may also be expanded to include select graduate certificate programs covering particular areas of interest. Students participating in a combined MS/certificate program should consult with their academic advisor (SPSAdvising@depaul.edu) to determine what coursework might count toward both programs. A separate application process for the certificate may be required. Students who are interested in any of the following combination programs should contact the Graduate Student Services Office for additional information.
- Public Service Management + Community Development Certificate
- Public Service Management + Critical Ethnic Studies Certificate
- Public Service Management + Emergency Management Administration Certificate
- Public Service Management + Geographic Information System Certificate
- Public Service Management + Global Health Certificate
- Public Service Management + Health Care Administration Certificate
- Public Service Management + Metropolitan Planning and Development Certificate
- Public Service Management + Social Research Certificate
- Public Service Management + Strategic Writing and Advancement for Nonprofits Certificate
- Public Service Management + Sustainable Urban Food Systems Certificate
- Public Service Management + Translation and Interpreting Certificate
- Public Service Management + Women's and Gender Studies Certificate
