Public Administration
Affordable Tuition | No Test Scores | Rolling Admission | Three Start Dates | Expert Faculty
By submitting this form, you agree to receive information about the Tulane School of Professional Advancement’s programs via email, phone and/or text. You may opt out at any time.
Affordable Tuition | No Test Scores | Rolling Admission | Three Start Dates | Expert Faculty
The John Lewis Public Administration Program & Center for Applied Research is community–responsive, results–driven, and impact–focused. Our program features graduate degrees and certificates that will prepare you with the knowledge and skill you need to enter the field as a leader and address today's critical societal challenges while building our shared future.
We prioritize an accessible student experience that includes hands-on learning and deep community engagement. Our approach includes practice-focused curriculum delivered through online coursework, capstone consultancies, internships, and residencies. Additionally, you can build on your professional and volunteer experiences and directly engage with nonprofits, philanthropic organizations, government divisions, and corporations.
John Lewis, left, receives an honorary doctorate of humane letters from Tulane President Mike Fitts during the University's 2019 Unified Commencement Ceremony.
Strengthening local public service leadership capacity is central to the mission of the John Lewis Public Administration Program. We achieve this aim in many ways including our practice-focused curriculum, capstone consultancies, internships, and residencies. Along with these approaches, we seek to deepen our community impact by establishing an affiliated center directly focused on practice-driven, applied research projects and initiatives.
Our program faculty brings decades of on-the-ground, impactful work throughout the local and national community to the classroom. Learn from leaders with influential roles and experience in the nonprofit sector, education, law, economics, philanthropy, infrastructure development, and more. Our public administration instructors are committed to helping you develop as a critical thinker and leader while promoting a more equitable society.
At Tulane SoPA, mentorship goes beyond the classroom. Build a strong professional network with both your classmates and instructors that extends throughout your career.
You can play a direct role in influencing positive change in the world around you with the tools in our public administration program courses. Navigate and understand the challenges posed by the economic development process, gain the skills to become a successful nonprofit leader, and equip yourself to address critical issues impacting the world around you.
Our program is proud to partner with the National League of Cities (NLC) and the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA). Members of NLC are eligible to receive up to six credits and discounted tuition upon completing the "Leading Through Disruption" program. Contact our program director, Dr. Halima Leak-Francis, for more information.
Courses cover community resilience, civic modernization in education, environmental management, public safety, and economic development.
We don’t teach with boring PowerPoint presentations. We’ve developed the most interactive courses around.
Access resources and opportunities including an in-person residency, internships, and our student chapter of ICMA.
The Public Administration curriculum is guided by experienced faculty and a knowledgeable advisory board that helps ensure the most up-to-date and relevant skillsets are being taught to our students.
Stephanie Barksdale
Director of University Partnerships and Social Innovation for Tulane’s President Emeritus Scott Cowen
Linetta Gilbert
Managing Partner, Gilbert & Associates
Michael Hecht
President and Chief Executive Officer, Greater New Orleans, Inc.
Oliver Wise
Director, Socrata Data Academy
Tulane SoPA accepts students on a rolling basis, year-round. Start dates every August, January, and May. We never require test scores or recommendations. Visit our Admissions Process page to learn more.
All tuition is charged by the credit hour and we have minimal fees. Visit our tuition page to see our current tuition rates and use our net price calculator.
We strive to make a Tulane SoPA education affordable for all students. Learn about financial aid, discounts and scholarship opportunities here.
Earn credit for your work experience through a portfolio assessment. Undergraduates can earn up to 24 portfolio credits. Graduate students can earn up to 6 portfolio credits.
SoPA offers career advising to all enrolled students.
Enter your email to download our Public Administration e-brochure.
By submitting this form, you agree to receive information about the Tulane School of Professional Advancement’s programs via email, phone and/or text. You may opt out at any time.