DPLDR-MS - Public Leadership and Administration, MS

Take the next step in your public service career with a Master of Public Leadership and Administration (MS-PLDR) degree from the University of North Texas at Dallas. The 36-hour program will prepare you for leadership positions in government, nonprofits, and emergency services.  Ranked as a Top 10 Public Affairs program in Texas by U.S. News & World Report, the UNT Dallas Master’s degree in Public Leadership and Administration blends research and the practical experience of working and collaborating within local communities. Public Leadership and Administration helps students build a set of core skills in leadership, strategic planning, budgeting, and data analytics, preparing our graduates to lead those organizations addressing the most critical societal issues. 

Flexibility: Complete either track entirely online or through a combination of online and on-campus courses. We offer traditional 16-week semester courses and a more concentrated 8-week structure.

Accessibility: With class sizes capped at 12 students, it's easy to connect with professors and get one-on-one support.

Program Coordinator: Dr. Janiece Upshaw, Phone: 972-338-1538, Email: Janiece.Upshaw@untdallas.edu

Public Leadership Concentrations

In addition to core courses in Public Leadership, students can take elective courses from any of the concentrations or specialize and take four elective courses from the same concentration.

Administrative Leadership

The Administrative Leadership concentration within the UNT Dallas Public Leadership and Administration master’s degree program develops the advanced skills and experience that public leaders need to build and enhance communities and improve the quality of life of residents. Courses in the Administrative Leadership concentration provide students with a strong foundation in environmental, economic and community development, and with the practical skills necessary to implement policy and evaluation. Students will explore a range of topics such as ethics, organization development, intergovernmental relations, and budgeting concepts and techniques. UNT Dallas faculty in the Public Leadership program use the cutting-edge “community as the classroom” model that connects students with real-world practitioners. Students collaborate directly with local community organizations to systematically develop solutions for the challenges facing governments today.

Nonprofit and Community Leadership

The Nonprofit and Community Leadership concentration within the UNT Dallas Public Leadership and Administration master’s degree program prepares students to deliver effective fundraising, leadership and financial management to improve a nonprofit organization. The nonprofit sector is growing with more than 1.5 million organizations in the United States. These organizations play an integral role in the economic, political, and social structure of our nation and the global community. UNT Dallas students in the Nonprofit and Community Leadership concentration will gain the skills and experience to advance a wide agenda of causes, from human rights to environmental causes, to third-world economic development. UNT Dallas students in the Nonprofit and Community Leadership concentration will work directly with nonprofit organizations, mobilize community efforts and learn how to measure the effectiveness of these programs.  

Public Health Leadership

The Public Health Leadership concentration within the UNT Dallas Public Leadership and Administration master’s degree program prepares leaders and professionals with a passion for the health care sector to create transformational change in health systems and serve the greater good. A master’s degree in the Public Health Leadership concentration will make a difference not just in your life and career, but in the well-being of your community. Students will interact with leaders in the health care space and local governments, mobilize communities on pertinent health care issues, and conduct research that directly impacts health services and patient outcomes. UNT Dallas’ faculty is committed to helping people in need through public health service and will guide students to a deeper understanding of the issues and challenges our communities face.

Emergency Services Administration

The Emergency Services Administration (ESA) concentration within the UNT Dallas Public Leadership and Administration master’s degree program is offered completely online and prepares students for organizational leadership and senior-level positions across the emergency services sector. The program blends theory, practice, research and policy with knowledge, abilities, skills, and strategies to take on the demanding management and administration responsibilities in the emergency services profession. UNT Dallas students in the ESA concentration learn from distinguished faculty and work on real-world cases and projects, interact regularly with professionals and are equipped to manage the evolving nature of the highly competitive emergency services professions. These professions increasingly require personnel to further their education to attain promotion and keep up with technical advances. A UNT Dallas master’s degree in Public Leadership with an ESA concentration will set you apart.