Which Online MPA program is better?

I am applying to different online MPA programs. I am working full time and will not be able to go to campus for any of my classes. I have no interest in taking the GRE. I am well aware of the fact that B&M tend to carry more weight, but that just isn't an option for me. So far I have applied to Walden University, Liberty University, and Ashford University. I was accepted into Walden and Liberty so far. I have heard some awful things about Walden. I want to eventually take policies and translate them into programs that will help those experiencing homelessness. Can anyone shed some light on the schools that I've mentioned thus far, and maybe suggest some others? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

Ashford University is facing "a severe, perhaps existential, accreditation crisis" (reporter Paul Fain in the news article "Public Push to Save Ashford," Inside Higher Ed, December 19, 2012). Ashford would seem to be an especially high-risk choice at this point in time.

Have you looked into any of these relatively low-cost programs? Almost all are from reasonably well-known schools with B&M campuses; most are state universities. (But note that "American Public University" is an online for-profit.)

Have you considered other disciplines? Social work, and other human service fields, could also be natural fits for your interest in programs to help the homeless.

And before someone else mentions it, you might want to consider a favorite here, the MA in Interdisciplinary Studies from Western New Mexico University. You could combine two or three relevant concentrations like, say, Psychology, Social Work, and Business (or Political Science, for a cognate to public administration). The school currently offers low in-state tuition to out-of-state students, provided they take no more than 6 sh per term, about a half-time load.

 

Liberty University [Wikipedia] was founded by Jerry Falwell, and has a strong evangelical Christian bent. The school is conservative religiously and also, broadly, associated with conservative politics.

Liberty's programs in secular subjects like public administration do not have religious tests for entry. But I believe they try to integrate religious content to some extent into basically every course they offer. This may or may not work for you.

I'm a great big liberal agnostic and I like a lot about Liberty, but as with any school, you should know what you're getting in to, and consider what employers might make of it. I could see some missions for the homeless putting an enthusiastic premium on degrees from Liberty. I could see other employers in social services shying away from them.

 

The Ashford situation is discussed regularly on this board. However, new posters often seem to have no idea that Ashford is in serious danger of losing accreditation (which would probably mean going out of business). Here is the situation:

1. Ashford was historically a small residential campus in Iowa. As such, it was accredited by HLC-NCA, which handles midwestern states.

2. But then Ashford greatly expanded its online operations, which are based in San Diego. Now the vast majority of Ashford students are distance learners.

3. Since most Ashford operations were in California, HLC-NCA was no longer the proper accreditor. HLC-NCA told Ashford to seek accreditation from WASC, which handles California.

4. Ashford applied for accreditation from WASC. They were rejected earlier this year. Ashford currently still has its old accreditation under HLC-NCA, which lasts until 2015.

5. However, the rejection by WASC triggered a review by HLC-NCA. HLC-NCA may terminate its accreditation early; they will make a decision in February 2013.

6. But even if HLC-NCA does not terminate Ashford's accreditation early in 2013, the HLC-NCA accreditation will still expire in 2015. So Ashford needs to get accredited by WASC before then. However, WASC rejected them in 2012, as noted above.

So Ashford is in trouble with two accreditation agencies right now. Their existing accreditation from HLC-NCA is threatened, and even if they can keep it, they still need to get accredited by WASC, which has already rejected them once.

 

You might check out some B&M state schools offering the MPA online w/o the GRE for admission. Two that come to mind are Arkansas State and University of Illinois-Springfield. Both are 100% online & NASPAA accredited. Arkansas State is super-cheap, at under 9K, while UIS is around 15K. Full disclosure: I am a current UIS student; I'll be finishing up the MPA this coming semester.

Arkansas State: Program Information - Arkansas State University Academic Partnerships

Illinois-Springfield: The MPA Online - Curriculum - The Master of Public Administration - MPA - University of Illinois at Springfield - UIS

 

I really appreciate this feedback. I have been hearing some negative things about Ashford's accreditation issues. What about Walden. Does anyone know anything about this school? I am going to look up the other school's suggested here as well.

 

I have heard good things about Walden and I believe it's also NASPAA accredited, but it's going to be significantly more expensive than some of the others mentioned. Put it this way: if you can get what you want, i.e., online MPA w/o GRE, for a lower price, and get it from a reputable B&M school, why wouldn't you? I just think there's more value to be had going this route. For instance, the UIS School of Public Affairs is as ranked as good or better than its peers at many well-known schools like Louisville, Miami, Kansas State, and Arkansas: Best Public Affairs Programs | Top Public Affairs Schools | US News Graduate Schools Not that rankings are everything, but this helps illustrate that you can get more for your money over Walden or Ashford by shopping around a bit.

 

I'd basically echo FJD's take, though Walden's programs in public administration are not accredited by NASPAA. NASPAA's official list of online programs with their accreditation.

 

Walden = good. Ashford = RUN!!!!!

 

There are many, many DL MPA programs and so you shouldn't have to compromise. I recommend that you look at this list carefully and not make a rash decision. Good luck.

Online MPA Degrees & Courses - NASPAA *The Global Standard in Public Service Education*