At Ohio State, you will join a supportive community of public servants, committed to helping you lead the change you are most passionate about. Through The Ohio State University John Glenn College of Public Affairs, Ohio State offers online graduate programs designed for working professionals seeking career growth or a career change.
Why choose Ohio State?
Personalized support from day one
At Ohio State Online, your success starts before you even enroll. If you have questions or need help getting started, simply complete our intake form with your contact information. An Enrollment Advisor will reach out to offer one-on-one guidance, walk you through the application process, and help you take the next step with confidence.
Once you're enrolled, our dedicated Student Support Specialists will be there to assist with course scheduling, connect you to helpful resources, and keep you on track toward graduation. From start to finish, you’ll have the support to help you succeed.
Join a cohort of dedicated peers
Build lasting professional connections with diverse public service peers to tackle today’s challenges. Upon graduation, join the network of over 600,000 Buckeye alumni.
Customize your curriculum
Personalize your education with elective courses or specializations, which will help you achieve your professional goals.
Flexibility around your schedule
Our 100% online degrees are designed to fit into the schedule of working professionals to immediately put your new skills into practice.
Nationally and globally recognized education
At Ohio State, we don’t just create champions on the football field, we create champions in every field of study, including public affairs. With an Ohio State online degree, you’ll earn the same prestigious degree as students on campus, sharing the same faculty and student resources. Recognized nationwide for its excellence, in 2024 The Ohio State University John Glenn College of Public Affairs programs were ranked among the best by U.S. News & World Report:
#16 in Best Public Affairs Programs
#9 in Nonprofit Management
#7 in Public Management and Leadership
Supporting military students
If you’re military-affiliated and pursuing graduate studies at Ohio State, the John Glenn College of Public Affairs’ Service to Service program is here to guide you as you take on your next mission. This program provides tailored career resources, academic support, and mentorship opportunities to help you achieve your goals while advancing your career in public service.
Explore all online programs at Ohio State:
The MPA graduate program provides recent graduates or early-career professionals with the in-demand skills needed to thrive in leadership roles within the public and non-profit sectors. Upon graduation, you will have expertise in public policy, economics, management and data analysis. Through coursework and practical skills-based experience, our program empowers you to lead and manage public organizations effectively, actively shape public policy, and make data-driven decisions in dynamic environments.
The MPAL program is a 32-credit hour master’s degree designed for mid-career professionals with more than 3 years of post-baccalaureate experience in administration or analytical roles. The MPAL curriculum is built to help you solve real-workplace problems and gain organizational leadership skills through hands-on leadership and management courses. Dive deeper into a specialization that fits your professional interests with tracks, including Public Management, Criminal Justice Administration, Cybersecurity Law, Policy and Management, Public Policy, or Nonprofit Management. This program offers an ideal path to enhance leadership skills and drive meaningful change in their communities.
The Public Management Graduate Certificate is a 13-credit hour online graduate certificate for working professionals seeking to enhance their public management and leadership skills. Ideal for professionals across various fields, this certificate prepares you for management roles within the public sector. It is also perfect for those who want to pursue a master’s degree but wish to make your application more competitive or aren’t quite ready to commit to a master’s degree program.
A completed bachelor’s degree is required for admission into this program.
The Nonprofit Management Graduate Certificate is a 12-credit program. The curriculum covers core topics like nonprofit management, governance, and financial management, while electives allow you to explore areas such as fundraising, social media marketing, managerial leadership, grant writing, negotiation, and more. Whether you’re looking for professional development in nonprofit management or looking to transition into the field, you’ll develop specialized expertise needed to tackle challenges and lead strategically.
A completed bachelor’s degree is required for admission into this program.
This 13-credit hour graduate certificate is ideal for individuals who already have a bachelor’s degree who are seeking to advance their careers in federal government, policy analysis, or related fields. It is designed for mid-career professionals looking to enhance their expertise, as well as recent graduates aiming to launch their careers in public service. The certificate is also great for professionals already working within these organizations, who may want to accelerate their path to leadership or deepen their knowledge about navigating the federal landscape.
A completed bachelor’s degree is required for admission into this program.
Within this 15-credit hour graduate certificate you will learn cybersecurity fundamentals, covering topics like data, software, and network security, as well as human and societal factors. You’ll then deepen your expertise through core courses in cybersecurity law, policy, management, and data governance, gaining the skills to design secure systems and manage risk.
A completed bachelor’s degree is required for admission into this program.
