UAB’s Master of Public Administration (MPA) program is now ranked number 68 in the nation, up from 73 in 2012, according to the U.S. News & World Report ranking of 200 top public affairs graduate programs.

The NASPAA-accredited program remains the #1 stand-alone master’s program (without a PhD program) in the South. Auburn University (also ranked #68) and Auburn University at Montgomery (ranked #96) are the only other MPA programs in Alabama to receive a ranking.

Offered by the College of Arts and Sciences’ Department of Government, the program is a major workforce development and training ground for public and nonprofit management in the state of Alabama. Its location in the Birmingham metro area provides a great environment for aspiring public administrators. It offers cutting-edge workforce development courses that allow students to apply their skills during the program as well as after graduation. Its portfolio management system is regarded as a best practice by nationally accredited peer programs.

With more than 600 alumni, MPA graduates make their mark in all leading public, nonprofit, and small businesses in the Birmingham area and throughout the state. It has produced more Presidential Management Fellows and ICMA Local Government Management Fellows than any MPA program in the southeast.